UN Volunteer for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency dedicated to ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization focuses on reproductive health, gender equality, and population issues, aligning its mission with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, fulfilling the unmet need for family planning, and eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices. The organization is committed to accelerating progress towards these goals, particularly in high-prevalence countries for issues like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Job Overview:
The UN Volunteer position is part of UNFPA's flagship initiative, specifically the UNFPA–UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (JP FGM). This program, launched in 2008, is the largest global initiative aimed at ending FGM, which is recognized as a violation of human rights and a form of gender-based violence. The current phase of the program (2022-2025) operates in 17 priority countries across Africa and the Middle East, focusing on scaling up proven interventions, strengthening national systems, and generating evidence to support the abandonment of FGM. The volunteer will work under the direct supervision of the Global Coordinator for the FGM Trust Fund, contributing to the management and implementation of the program by generating data and insights that inform strategies to combat FGM.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The UN Volunteer will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Strengthening results-based management in planning and implementation by generating FGM risk incidence and attitudinal risk incidence for 18 countries using various data sources such as District Health Information System (DHIS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS).
• Producing Subnational Administrative Estimates (SAE) of FGM prevalence for the same countries.
• Feeding the FGM social media database from 2008 to 2025 into UNFPA's Demographic Intelligence from Open Sources (DIOS) platform.
• Linking geospatial Joint Programme programmatic data with the aforementioned data sources and social media signals.
• Pilot testing social norm indicators in existing health information systems using Open Data Kit (ODK) or Kobo Toolbox in one country.
• Conducting respondent-driven sampling to generate FGM data among small or hidden populations in one country. Additionally, the volunteer is expected to engage in UNV activities, reflect on their voluntary actions, contribute to publications, assist new volunteers, and promote online volunteering.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of data management and analysis, particularly in the context of health information systems. Familiarity with statistical software and methodologies for generating estimates is essential. The ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and community leaders, is crucial. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are necessary to effectively convey findings and recommendations. A commitment to the principles of volunteerism and a passion for gender equality and human rights are also required.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in public health, social sciences, statistics, or a related field is required. Advanced degrees or specialized training in data analysis, health systems, or gender studies would be advantageous. Candidates should have a solid academic foundation that supports their ability to engage with complex health and social issues related to FGM.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 2-3 years of relevant experience in data management, public health, or a related field. Experience working with international organizations, particularly in the context of gender-based violence or reproductive health, is highly desirable. Familiarity with the UN system and understanding of the challenges faced in high-prevalence countries for FGM will be beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the working language of the UN. Knowledge of additional languages, particularly French or Arabic, would be considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with diverse stakeholders in the program's operational countries.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance, with no expectation of renewal. The UN Volunteer will receive a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) to cover basic needs, calculated based on the cost of living in Kenya. Additional benefits include life and health insurance, travel allowances for official duties, and a resettlement allowance upon completion of the assignment. The UNV program promotes diversity and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of gender, nationality, or cultural background.