Family Life Education (FLE) Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 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 in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls. The organization works closely with various partners, including governments and civil society organizations, to implement programs that address critical issues such as maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2023-2027 emphasizes three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet needs for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. The organization employs thousands of individuals worldwide, all dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls and ensuring their rights are upheld.

Job Overview:
The Family Life Education (FLE) Coordinator will play a pivotal role in leading the development and implementation of a revised, internationally aligned FLE curriculum for primary and secondary schools in Fiji. This position is crucial for enhancing teacher competency and providing appropriate resources to ensure effective delivery of the curriculum. The coordinator will work closely with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and other stakeholders to ensure that the FLE curriculum is integrated into the national education system and that it meets the needs of students, particularly in relation to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). The role involves monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the FLE curriculum, advocating for its institutionalization, and ensuring that it is sustainable in the long term. The coordinator will also facilitate synergies among various youth initiatives and support the integration of FLE into existing educational frameworks, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of health systems and service delivery in Fiji.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Family Life Education (FLE) Coordinator will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Collaborating with MoE Primary officers for Healthy Living and Moral and Civic Education and Secondary Curricular officers to integrate FLE content into curricular documents for primary and secondary education.
• Leading the development of Teacher’s Guides and Student books for delivering FLE, with support from Family Planning Australia (FPA).
• Reviewing and proposing entry points for FLE integration into the existing learner assessment framework.
• Advocating for FLE support within the learner assessment framework.
• Developing proposals for a teacher micro credit scheme and offering FLE as a minor in the Bachelor of Education program.
• Drafting and submitting proposals for building teacher competencies upon approval from MoE.
• Identifying technical, human resource, and programmatic needs for implementing teacher competence building proposals.
• Leading the adaptation and finalization of the FLE Monitoring and Evaluation plan, ensuring integration of school-based FLE indicators into the Education Management Information System.
• Coordinating with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to strengthen programmatic linkages between schools delivering FLE and SRH service delivery at the community level. 1
• Supporting MoE Primary and Secondary Curricular officers by contributing to meeting agendas, stakeholder presentations, and preparing monthly reports on subcommittee activities. 1
• Facilitating stakeholder dialogue and policy advocacy on FLE as planned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University Degree (Master’s) in Education or Social Sciences, along with at least 2 years of relevant work experience in health promotion, particularly focusing on adolescents and youth SRH, Family Life Education, comprehensive sexuality education, gender equality, and human rights. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline with 4 years of experience is acceptable. Candidates should have a strong understanding of Family Life Education/CSE issues in the context of Fiji/Pacific and experience in designing, monitoring, and evaluating health promotion interventions. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to gender equality and human rights.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an Advanced University Degree (Master’s) in Education or Social Sciences, or a Bachelor’s Degree in relevant fields such as Education, Family Health, Health Research, Health Promotion, or Gender Equality. The emphasis is on candidates who have specialized knowledge and skills related to health promotion and education, particularly in the context of adolescents and youth.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of relevant work experience in health promotion, with a focus on adolescents and youth SRH, Family Life Education, and gender equality. Candidates should have experience in high-level policy dialogue, program planning, and coordination of participatory workshops. Previous experience with education curriculum review and alignment with international guidelines is highly desirable, as is familiarity with UNFPA’s global and regional program frameworks.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position, while proficiency in Fijian is considered an advantage. Candidates should be able to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government ministries and international organizations. UNFPA promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and underrepresented groups. The organization emphasizes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, and compensation. Selection and appointment may be subject to background checks, medical clearance, and other administrative requirements. UNFPA does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process.