We are pleased to
announce the following vacancy:
POST TITLE: Technical
Adviser (RHCS)
CATEGORY: ICS-12
(P-5)
POST TYPE:
Non-Rotational
POST NUMBER: 52403
DUTY STATION: Johannesburg, South Africa
DURATION: One year
(renewable) 1/
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:
East and Southern Africa Regional Office
BACKGROUND:
The Technical Adviser post provides strategic technical and
programmatic leadership in the area of expertise to ensure that Sexual and
Reproductive Health, Rights-based Family Planning and Reproductive Health
Commodity Security, are firmly placed in the global development agenda,
including the achievement of the MDGs and within the ICPD Beyond 2014 and the
post-MDG/Post-2015 agenda.
The RHCS Regional Advisor also provides technical advice and
oversight, as well as ensuring quality and the delivery of results, in all
programmes in the areas of RHCS. In the broadest definition, this post is
multi- sectoral and crosscutting, engaging in all issues affecting commodity
security, policy, system strengthening, supply management, demand generation,
quality, availability, accessibility and sustainability of RH commodities.
The primary roles of
the Technical Adviser are:
- • Strategic technical support, monitoring and oversight
- • Country specific technical support
- • Capacity development
- • Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination
- • Technical representation
A key accountability of the Regional Technical Advisor is
the production of high quality products and outputs which enable UNFPA to
contribute directly to enhancing national capacity to develop and maintain
Reproductive Health Commodity Security as well as to building regional capacity
to provide technical assistance throughout the sphere of RHCS, state of the art
technical knowledge and, capacity to translate knowledge into tools for
effective technical and policy dialogue with partners.
In all activities, s/he fosters collaboration within the
Regional office, with TD and in particular CSB, and the Programme Division,
including Humanitarian Response Branch, ensuring the timeliness, adequacy,
relevance and quality of substantive outputs. The Regional Adviser also acts as
a substantive focal point within the Division for one of the Fund’s Regional
Offices.
ORGANIZATIONAL
SETTING:
The RHCS Regional Advisor post is located in the Regional of
Johannesburg). The Regional Advisor reports to RO Deputy Director Office
Director, who provides overall direction and guidance, but work in close
collaboration with Commodity Security Branch (CSB), based on a joint work plan
approved by both CSB and the Regional Director. S/he is one of the two key
advisers at the regional level for integrated technical and programme advice in
sexual and reproductive health with a specific focus on rights-based family
planning and Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS). The Technical
Adviser works within an integrated coordinated, and systems strengthening
approach which is fundamental to the Division’s and UNFPA’s overall strategy.
The Technical Adviser works with interdisciplinary Teams
within the ESARO and liaises with other technical and programme staff.
MAJOR DUTIES AND
REPONSIBILITIES
- The Regional Advisor will have responsibility, in response to country requests, for the promotion, design, monitoring and evaluation of all phases of equitable RH commodity availability throughout all sectors (public, private, non-profit, subsidized and commercial) as well as logistics information systems, guidelines and standards.
- S/he will provide technical backstopping and conduct relevant research, analysis and training activities aimed at providing information and knowledge-base and readily useable methodologies to RH/FP planners, policy makers, programme managers and service providers. Working closely with Commodity Security Branch and under the overall supervision and direction of the RO Deputy Director or the SRO Director, the incumbent will contribute to enhancing national capacity to mobilize and obtain social and political support for national policies and programmes in the field of Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS), as well as to building regional capacity to supply technical support in this area. They will specifically:
Country specific
technical support
Provide technical support and advice to countries to
strengthen the national health system for increased accessibility and use of RH
commodities to all individuals across the regions and economic levels within
countries. This would entail a demonstrated ability to provide technical
support and information on how to increase contraceptive prevalence rate,
condom usages, effectiveness of national logistics systems and promote inter
country exchange of such information. Lead the regional advocacy efforts by
all partners for—and facilitate adoption of—an integrated approach to RHCS that
takes as its foundation the reliable and consistent availability of planned RH
commodities. This integrated approach is complemented by a focus on issues of
quality of care, improvements to the national environment as well as questions
of access and demand. Provides technical assistance to countries in the
implementation of their country action plans in ensuring that contraceptives
and other RH commodities are available to women and men when needed Cooperate
with and support countries in analyzing RH commodity systems. Provide technical
assistance in improving forecasting, warehousing, distribution, transportation
and logistics information systems. Provide advice on commodity aspects of
SWAps, PRSPs and health sector reform including integration, decentralization
cost recovery, and creative participation in basket funding. Provide advice
in accordance with WHO guidelines on specific contraceptive methods as well as
cost effective contraceptive method mixes, with special attention to assuring
condom supplies appropriate to the stage of HIV/AIDS epidemic. Provision of
technical support at key stages of the UNFPA country programme cycle as well as
such United System wide processes as CCA and UNDAF. Advocate for adequate
lead times in ordering commodities for adequate budgeting for donor
coordination relating to commodity supplies and for procurement of cost
effective and serviceable equipment. Support new RH commodities such as
emergency contraception and the female condom while continuing to advocate for
a more gender balanced method mix including vasectomy and the male condom.
Contribute to enhancing national capacity to develop and maintain reproductive
health commodity logistics systems as well as to building regional capacity to
supply consultancy services in RHCS. These tasks will involve design and
facilitation of formal training and conducting informal, on-the-job training.
Similarly they will require identification and mobilization of potential
national /regional /individual and institutional partners for more active
participation in RH logistics activities. Identify and support national and
international experts and institutions in providing technical support to
countries in the area of RH and RHCS. Collaborate with other UN Agencies to
promote and provide integrated technical support for RH/RHCS within countries.
Collaborate with other members of the Team to promote integrated approaches
to improving reproductive health. Perform other duties as required.
Capacity Development
Maintain and foster substantive and intellectual regional
partnerships in RHCS for advancing state-of-the-art knowledge;
Develop and manage
substantive partnerships and collaborations with other UN agencies, including
in the context of the UNDG;
Contribute to substantive technical capacity development
of regional institutions;
Identify, develop and adapt training materials and manuals
in the substantive area and ensure their availability for capacity development;
Contribute to and validate a roster of regional experts
and institutions in the substantive area;
Coordinate the UNFPA technical network in RHCS in the
region, maintaining communication and feedback loops on all substantive work;
and,
Coach and manage junior professional, NPOs, staff and
associates, direct expert consultants and facilitate working groups and task
teams.
Draft and adapt
training materials and manuals in the substantive area and support their
implementation for capacity development;
Evidence and
knowledge development and dissemination
Assist in the process of identifying, analyzing and synthesizing
state-of-the-art technical knowledge and evidence in RHCS;
Make significant contributions to UNFPA’s analytic work
program to ascertain lessons-learned from implementation and to refine
methodologies for effective RHCS within a decentralized planning and budgeting
context,
Contribute to the successful execution of impact
evaluations and provide support in developing a prioritized operational
research agenda for UNFPA.
Remain
knowledgeable and up-to-date on all technical and implementation issues that
relate to RHCS as well other components of Health systems development to
periodically update other the Inter-Divisional Working group members involved
in the Program.
Contribute to and review materials for both internal and
external audiences, including presentations, talking points, briefing materials
and background documents for Sr. management within UNFPA’s participation in
high level external meetings.
Assist in promoting
in the substantive area, UNFPA’s comparative substantive role and specific
contribution in the changing development agenda;
Technical
representation
Work in collaboration with staff of TD and PD, including
knowledge sharing and humanitarian response; IERD; and regional offices in
providing state-of-the-art substantive support;
Represent UNFPA on
substantive issues, adapt UNFPAs substantive global perspective to regional
circumstances, and support advocacy for RHCS in international,
inter-governmental, U.N., and other policy and technical meetings and fora;
Collaborate with UN agencies, academia, research and
training institutions, professional societies in the region, and act as focal
point for inter-agency working groups in the substantive area;
Act as the
Division’s substantive focal point for one of the UNFPA regions; and,
Carries out any
other duties as may be required by the head of the Regional office
ESSENTIAL
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
- • Advanced university degree or equivalent in public health, medicine, logistics management, social sciences of business or other related field. The graduate or post graduate degree must be directly related to the substantive area identified in the title of the post. A course in logistics, essential drugs, and MIS is a plus.
- • 10 years of increasing responsibilities at the national level in RH or health programmes ideally with direct experience relating to logistics systems
- • At least five years regional international experience advising other countries on RH commodities
- • Extensive knowledge of supply management: forecasting, warehousing, distribution, transportation and logistics information systems.
- • General knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of integrated reproductive health care. • Familiarity with UN development programmes and working procedures especially UNFPA policies and programming procedures, an asset.
- • Excellent knowledge of English; good working knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset.
Required
Competencies:
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Values/Guiding
Principles
Developing People
Personal Leadership
and Effectiveness
Building and Managing Relationships
FUNCTIONAL
COMPETENCIES:
Excellent knowledge and understanding of Reproductive
Health and Reproductive Health Commodities Security in the context of the new
aid environment particularly in Africa.
Conceptual
innovation in the provision of technical expertise – developing innovative and
creative approaches.
Leveraging the
resources of national government and partners, and building strategic alliances
and partnerships – identifying and building partnerships.
Job knowledge and expertise – in depth knowledge of their
discipline
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values
of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy
balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender
distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.
We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate
with the level of the position. The package includes a competitive salary plus
housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.
1/ No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff
Regulation 4.5
How to apply:
UNFPA has established an electronic application management
system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be
updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy. Download the Step by
Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at
http://www.unfpa.org/employment/vacancy.htm
Please print out the Guide for your reference during the
registration and application process.
Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at
any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for
information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of
HIV/AIDS status.
Notice to applicants: In accordance with the rules of the
United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional
category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their
country of nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their
appointment. Exceptions to this rule are very limited and can be made only for:
(a) stateless persons; (b) newly appointed staff members who have applied for
citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted
imminently; (c) acting staff members in the General Service and related
categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional
category; (d) staff members appointed under a temporary appointment. Please
understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance
in applying for any citizenship.
Job ID: #569132
CLOSING DATE: 6 May
2013, 5:00 p.m. New York
time
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