Specialist, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

Job Posting Organization:
The Health Technical Unit is a dedicated team comprising over 70 professionals who specialize in various aspects of health care, including Primary Health Care, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Nutrition, and Mental Health. This unit plays a crucial role in supporting the International Rescue Committee (IRC) across more than 40 countries by providing technical expertise, capacity building, and a comprehensive understanding of effective health interventions. The organization is committed to improving health outcomes in vulnerable populations and operates with a mission to help those affected by humanitarian crises.

Job Overview:
The Specialist, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is a pivotal role within the Health Unit, focusing on delivering targeted technical support for SRHR programming. This position emphasizes family planning (FP) and comprehensive abortion care (CAC), and the Specialist will report directly to the Senior Specialist, SRHR. The role involves leading day-to-day support for strategic projects, notably the IRC-supported Family Planning Impact Lab in South Sudan and Somalia, while also providing surge support to enhance contraception access in humanitarian and fragile settings. The Specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including country program teams, Health Technical Advisors, Regional Practice Leads, and external partners, to ensure the quality and effectiveness of programs, as well as to facilitate learning and adaptation based on evidence and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Specialist will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Technical Support for Strategic Projects (50%): Leading the technical oversight of the Family Planning Impact Lab in South Sudan and Somalia, coordinating multidisciplinary research and SRH technical teams, overseeing program pilots, and ensuring project quality and timeliness through effective liaison with partners and donors.
• Technical Assistance & Scale (20%): Identifying and addressing technical support gaps in IRC country programs, developing training materials and program tools, and providing specialized technical assistance on contraception and abortion.
• Knowledge Management & Learning (10%): Supporting documentation of best practices, fostering communities of practice on contraception, and ensuring lessons learned inform design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design.
• External Influence & Representation (10%): Contributing to thought leadership on SRHR topics and representing IRC in external forums.
• Business Development (10%): Supporting strategic business development opportunities and providing program design support on SRHR.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a degree in public health or a related field, with a Master's degree being desirable. A clinical degree, such as nursing or midwifery, is preferred. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of experience in public health and SRHR, particularly in humanitarian or fragile settings. Demonstrated technical expertise in family planning and comprehensive abortion care is essential, along with experience managing multi-stakeholder projects across different countries. Familiarity with implementation research, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and program quality frameworks is strongly preferred. Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in diverse environments are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a degree in public health or a related field, with a Master's degree being an advantage. A clinical degree, such as that of a nurse or midwife, is also preferred, indicating a strong foundation in health care practices and principles.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in public health and SRHR, with a focus on field experience in humanitarian or fragile settings. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing complex projects that involve multiple stakeholders and countries, demonstrating the ability to navigate the humanitarian-development nexus effectively.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and French is mandatory for this role, while knowledge of Arabic or Spanish is considered an asset. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in the United States, and the compensation for this role varies based on location and individual qualifications. The US pay range is between $95,000 and $107,000, while the UK pay range is between £58,736 and £68,52

• The IRC is committed to equal opportunity employment and adheres to professional standards that promote integrity, service, equality, and accountability. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, medical and dental insurance, retirement savings plans, and an Employee Assistance Program to support staff and their families.