Part-time Consultant for African Coalition for Menstrual Health

Job Posting Organization:
The African Coalition for Menstrual Health (ACMH) is a collaborative network consisting of over 600 individuals, including policymakers, private sector representatives, young people, social entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, and various institutions. The coalition aims to enhance coordination among key stakeholders to build upon and support the evidence base necessary for transitioning research into actionable strategies. ACMH focuses on multi-sectoral policymaking and the scaling up of sustainable, evidence-based programs that address the menstrual health needs of girls, women, and all individuals who menstruate throughout their lifecycle. The coalition is governed by a leadership team comprising leads and co-leads from six task forces, with Research and Monitoring & Evaluation being a central task force. The organization is dedicated to improving menstrual health through advocacy, research, and policy development.

Job Overview:
The part-time consultancy position is designed to oversee the management, communications, and advocacy related to menstrual health issues as the coordinator of the Secretariat of the African Coalition for Menstrual Health. The consultant will play a pivotal role in supporting the management of the Coalition Secretariat, overseeing all communication, advocacy, and resource mobilization tasks. This includes planning, implementing, and managing activities associated with the coalition, providing support for coordination, advocacy, communications, research, and knowledge management. The consultant will also focus on mobilizing resources, strengthening the coalition, and organizing roundtable discussions. The role requires a proactive approach to advocacy, policy development, and strategy implementation, ensuring that the coalition's objectives are met effectively and efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Advocacy, policy, and strategy development: Supporting the development of periodic newsletters and annual reports, expanding the coalition, strengthening leadership and membership, lobbying for co-secretariat selection, and collaborating with UNFPA to finalize and implement a 5-year strategy and joint advocacy strategy.
• Research and knowledge management: Broadening expertise in menstrual health, conducting literature reviews to document best practices, and liaising with partners for knowledge management and capacity building.
• Partnership and resource mobilization: Writing funding proposals, seeking strategic partnerships, and representing the coalition in advocacy events.
• Communications: Compiling and analyzing findings, coordinating internal communications, managing social media accounts, and reporting progress to stakeholders.
• Other tasks: Supporting the implementation of projects funded by the Sanitary Hygiene Fund and overseeing the development of the Menstrual Health Framework in Lesotho.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in health education, public health, social sciences, or a related field. Additionally, they should have at least 5 years of relevant work experience with government, UN agencies, or NGOs focused on sexual and reproductive health, health education, or adolescent health. Strong advocacy and networking skills are essential, along with experience in strategy development, monitoring and evaluation, and resource mobilization. Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills are also required, as well as proficiency in using social media for advocacy and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in health education, public health, social sciences, or a field directly related to the substantive areas of this position is required. This educational background should provide a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of menstrual health and the associated advocacy and policy development processes.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in roles related to sexual and reproductive health, health education, or adolescent health. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in strategy and action plan development, as well as strong advocacy and networking skills. Experience in monitoring and evaluation, including the development of indicators and tools, is also essential. The ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary and multicultural teams is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within the coalition and with external stakeholders. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the African context would be considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse partners and communities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is part-time and will be conducted online, requiring the consultant to work three days per week. The contract duration is from 15 July 2024 to 31 December 2025, with the possibility of extension. All reports and feedback will be delivered electronically, and monthly deliverables will be agreed upon with the selected consultant. The payment will be made monthly upon receipt of the monthly report. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.