International Consultant - SRH Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization emphasizes the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, aligning its strategic goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 aims to address critical issues such as maternal mortality, unmet family planning needs, and gender-based violence, particularly in the context of the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. UNFPA is committed to building a world where fundamental human rights are upheld, and it seeks principled and ethical staff who can embody these values and drive impactful results across its programs.

Job Overview:
The International Consultant - SRH Specialist will play a pivotal role in providing technical and programmatic leadership for the adolescent prevention project in Belize and Suriname. This position requires a deep understanding of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues, particularly as they pertain to adolescents and young people. The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that the project's capacity-building efforts, advocacy initiatives, and policy dialogues align with UNFPA's strategic objectives and reflect the latest academic advancements in the field. The role involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including implementing partners and government ministries, to enhance the accessibility and quality of adolescent-friendly health services. The consultant will also be tasked with developing comprehensive work plans, establishing monitoring frameworks, and ensuring that project implementation is culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate. This position is crucial for advancing UNFPA's mission and achieving transformative results in the Caribbean region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The SRH Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Providing technical and project management support for the implementation of the adolescent prevention project, ensuring alignment with project objectives and key deliverables.
• Establishing clear monitoring frameworks and facilitating regular progress reviews to track implementation outcomes.
• Leading the establishment of an adolescent girls mentorship program, integrating innovative approaches to empower girls.
• Supporting implementing partners in developing comprehensive work plans that align with project objectives.
• Building the capacity of partners in comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in alignment with international guidelines.
• Providing technical support to the Ministry of Health in both countries to enhance adolescent-friendly health services.
• Assisting Ministries of Health in the management of sexual and reproductive health commodities.
• Supporting advocacy efforts to create an enabling policy environment for young people's access to SRH services.
• Preparing donor reports to ensure compliance with reporting requirements. 1
• Supporting evidence generation and knowledge management to inform policy and program decisions. 1
• Encouraging innovation and involving young people in initiatives such as hackathons and boot camps. 1
• Providing technical guidance in the management of RH commodities and carrying out any other duties as requested by the SROC Director.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Social Science, Public Health, or a related field. They should have at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in program planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation in the field of sexual and reproductive health. Experience in reproductive health commodity security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security management and supply chain strengthening is essential, along with a strong background in SRH, youth development, and empowerment programming. Knowledge of the latest developments in adolescent programming and youth empowerment is crucial. Experience working in the Caribbean sub-region and with indigenous communities is considered an asset. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills, the ability to interpret complex socio-cultural backgrounds, and the capacity to establish harmonious working relationships in a multicultural environment. Excellent communication skills are mandatory, and previous experience with UNFPA or similar organizations will be advantageous.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Social Science, Public Health, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively address the challenges associated with sexual and reproductive health, particularly in relation to adolescents and young people.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience at both national and international levels. Candidates should have a strong background in program planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation specifically related to sexual and reproductive health. Experience in reproductive health commodity security management and supply chain strengthening is also essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in SRH, youth development, and empowerment programming, with a current understanding of the latest developments in adolescent programming and youth empowerment. Familiarity with the Caribbean sub-region and work with indigenous communities will be considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of the Dutch language would be considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with local stakeholders in Suriname and Belize.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization is committed to ensuring gender parity and encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA emphasizes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics or dimensions of diversity. The selection and appointment process may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance, and other administrative requirements. UNFPA does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process.