National Consultant - Support the SRHR/GBV/Ebola Preparedness Interventions

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations 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 intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, with a strategic plan that emphasizes resilience and renewal in response to complex global challenges. UNFPA employs a diverse workforce committed to upholding human rights and ethical standards, and it actively seeks candidates who can deliver high-impact results in a rapidly changing development landscape.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant is critical in addressing the heightened risk of Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease (EVD) in Zambia, particularly due to the country's porous borders and high population mobility. The consultant will provide expert technical assistance to coordinate, execute, and monitor UNFPA's emergency response and preparedness interventions. This role involves integrating sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) preparedness into national public health structures, particularly under the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) framework. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, to ensure effective implementation of health service protection measures and to mitigate the risks associated with potential Ebola outbreaks. The consultant will also oversee the training of frontline health workers and facilitate community engagement to promote safe healthcare-seeking behaviors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Supporting UNFPA's leadership in the SRH and GBV Working Groups within the Grade 2 Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) framework.
• Conducting subnational SRH and GBV service mapping and facility readiness assessments across six high-risk provinces.
• Coordinating competency-based training for 200 frontline health workers and 50 call center staff, focusing on outbreak infection prevention and control, safe deliveries, and clinical management of rape.
• Facilitating community outreach and engagement to address stigma and promote safe healthcare-seeking behaviors.
• Monitoring the distribution of essential supplies, such as personal protective equipment and clinical job aids, to health facilities.
• Providing bi-weekly progress updates to UNFPA leads and participating in review meetings to ensure timely completion of deliverables.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a Master's degree in Medicine, Public Health, Global Health, Nursing/Midwifery, Social Work, Humanitarian Affairs, or a related field. Additionally, at least 7-10 years of experience in designing, managing, or coordinating SRH, maternal health, or GBV emergency responses during disease outbreaks or complex humanitarian crises is required. Candidates should have direct operational knowledge of Ebola outbreak preparedness and infection prevention and control in clinical settings, as well as experience adapting GBV referral pathways and clinical management protocols in epidemic contexts. Familiarity with UN agencies and national health systems is also essential.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in a relevant field such as Medicine, Public Health, Global Health, Nursing/Midwifery, Social Work, or Humanitarian Affairs is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of public health emergencies and the integration of sexual and reproductive health services into emergency response frameworks.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7-10 years of relevant experience in public health, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, and gender-based violence. Experience in emergency response during disease outbreaks or humanitarian crises is essential, along with a strong understanding of infection prevention and control protocols. Practical experience in training health personnel and adapting clinical management protocols in epidemic contexts is also highly valued.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with superior technical writing and analytical skills. Proficiency in digital tracking tools and spreadsheet management is required. Additionally, working knowledge of major Zambian national languages such as Bemba, Nyanja, Kaonde, Luvale, and Lunda is considered a strong advantage for conducting field monitoring and community consultations.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is six months, with services to be delivered primarily in Lusaka, Zambia. The consultant will be required to attend in-person meetings at the PHEOC and may need to travel to high-risk border districts as necessary. All deliverables, including reports and training packages, must be submitted electronically in editable formats. The consultant will receive travel support and a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) for official field travel outside Lusaka, in accordance with standard UN rates. UNFPA promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, and integrity, and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.