National Humanitarian Program Associate

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, aiming to end preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 outlines its commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises, while promoting human rights and ethical standards in its operations.

Job Overview:
The National Humanitarian Program Associate will play a crucial role in supporting the procurement and delivery of emergency medical supplies and dignity kits, as well as establishing partnerships with various humanitarian stakeholders, including NGOs, donors, and government counterparts. This position is vital in promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response programming in South Sudan, a country facing significant humanitarian challenges due to conflict, insecurity, and climate shocks. The associate will work under the supervision of the UNFPA Bentiu Field Office Field Program Coordinator, contributing to the organization's mission of improving health services and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls affected by violence and health crises.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the National Humanitarian Program Associate include improving service delivery and providing technical support to implementing partners, exploring opportunities to deliver SRH services to at-risk groups, coordinating training sessions on SRH and GBV in emergencies, and developing exit strategies for comprehensive SRH and GBV programs. The associate will manage the distribution of reproductive health kits and dignity kits, oversee procurement processes, monitor the use of commodities, and maintain databases on SRH supplies. Additionally, the associate will contribute to the development of IEC materials, conduct assessments of SRH needs, support GBV and SRH coordination mechanisms, and engage in project monitoring and reporting activities. Data management and analysis will also be part of the role, ensuring effective integration of SRH and GBV interventions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess completed secondary school education in fields such as public health, medicine, sociology, demography, gender studies, international relations, international development, economics, public administration, or management. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian and development activities is required, with a preference for experience in field coordination and program/project design. Prior experience with the Minimum Initial Service Package for SRH is advantageous. Strong leadership and team management skills, along with excellent written and oral communication abilities, are essential for fostering partnerships and achieving results.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes completed secondary school education in relevant fields such as public health, medicine, sociology, demography, gender studies, international relations, international development, economics, public administration, or management. Higher education or specialized training in these areas may be beneficial but is not explicitly stated as a requirement.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian and development activities. This experience should preferably include field coordination, program/project design, appraisal, and management. Candidates should demonstrate a proven ability to lead and manage teams effectively to achieve significant results in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of other official UN languages, particularly Arabic, is desirable and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is likely to be full-time and may involve working in challenging and dynamic environments typical of humanitarian settings. UNFPA emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. The organization promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics.