National Research Coordinator – Solomon Islands- Individual Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established to promote reproductive health and rights, UNFPA operates in numerous countries worldwide, working towards transformative results in maternal health, family planning, and gender equality. The organization emphasizes the importance of principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, ensuring that human rights are defended courageously. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2018-2021 outlines its commitment to ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. The organization is dedicated to workforce diversity and encourages applications from individuals of minority and indigenous groups, as well as persons with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The National Research Coordinator will play a pivotal role in supporting the Solomon Islands Government, particularly through the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), in addressing the well-being of women and girls. This position involves close collaboration with national partners, including MWYCFA and the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO), as well as civil society organizations and technical experts. The primary function of the Research Coordinator is to facilitate the coordination, management, monitoring, and reporting of a national study focused on women's well-being. The consultant will ensure that the strategic interventions are implemented in accordance with the highest ethical and safety standards, both nationally and globally. This role is crucial in generating robust, up-to-date data that will inform programming for gender equality and support the overall mission of UNFPA.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the National Research Coordinator include:

• Coordinating the day-to-day activities of the national study on women's well-being, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among all stakeholders involved.
• Managing the research process, including the design, implementation, and evaluation of the study, while adhering to ethical guidelines and safety standards.
• Monitoring progress and providing regular updates to UNFPA and national partners on the status of the research activities.
• Preparing comprehensive reports and presentations that summarize findings and recommendations from the research, ensuring that they are accessible to a wide audience.
• Engaging with civil society organizations and technical experts to gather insights and feedback that will enhance the quality of the research.
• Ensuring that all data collected is handled with the utmost confidentiality and integrity, in line with UNFPA's commitment to ethical research practices.
• Supporting capacity-building initiatives for local partners involved in the research process, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes knowledge sharing and skill development.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the National Research Coordinator position must possess the following qualifications:

• A strong understanding of gender issues and women's rights, particularly in the context of the Solomon Islands.
• Proven experience in research coordination, management, and analysis, preferably in the field of social sciences or public health.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Familiarity with ethical research practices and standards, particularly in relation to sensitive topics such as gender-based violence and women's health.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of a Master's degree in social sciences, public health, gender studies, or a related field. A PhD in a relevant discipline would be an advantage, particularly for candidates with a strong research background.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in research coordination or management, with a demonstrated track record of successfully leading research projects. Experience working with governmental and non-governmental organizations in the Solomon Islands or the Pacific region is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication for this position. Knowledge of local languages spoken in the Solomon Islands would be considered an asset, as it may facilitate better engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is for a duration of 11 months, based in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The role is classified as an Individual Consultant position, and candidates are expected to work full-time. UNFPA is committed to achieving workforce diversity and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds. The organization does not charge any fees during the application or recruitment process and emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next phase of the selection process.