The Position:

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Programme Specialist advises project formulation and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and national development frameworks. You will provide technical support to the Director, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Youth Health and Nutrition Directorate (RMNCHY-N), FMOH, on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programmes in both development and humanitarian contexts . The Technical Specialist will be mainly focusing on providing support to the family planning, maternal and newborn health and Adolescent and Youth Programmes. The Technical specialist will leverage the nexus approach to ensure linkages both the humanitarian and development settings n. You will also be responsible for providing a technical assistance towards the implementation of MISP (Minimum Initial Service Packages) in humanitarian setting. Furthermore, you will serve as an in-house expert in AYH programming and support the directorate in the planning, implementation and monitoring of RMNCAYH-N program in general and AYH/FP programs in particular. Technically, you will be reporting to the Director of RMNCHY-N Directorate, FMOH, and administratively, to the Assistant Representative of UNFPA Ethiopia Country Office.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

In the last decade, Ethiopia has made significant progress towards achieving its national and international development goals, and sectoral programmes and strategies for improving maternal health, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, and combating the HIV epidemic.

The Maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Ethiopia reduced from 356 in 2016 to 267 per 100,000 live births in 2020. However, approximately 10,000 women die annually from preventable causes, with obstetric hemorrhage as the leading cause. 13% of women aged 15-19 years have begun childbearing, with regional differentials ranging from 23% in Afar to 3% in Addis Ababa. Modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) increased from 35% in 2016 to 41% in 2019 with marked regional disparities that range from 3.4% in Somali to 49.5% in Amhara.

The unmet need for family planning is 22.3% and unintended pregnancy is a major reproductive health challenge faced by young women. Abortion accounts for 60% of gynecological and about 30% of all obstetric and gynecological admissions. Over half of the 19 million women who seek abortions annually are between the ages of 15–24 years. Cultural and religious barriers, compounded by the limited participation of private entities, hinder access to family planning services.

The HIV prevalence in the adult population (15-49) declined from 1.5% in 2011 to 0.8% in 2022. However, there are wide variations by sex, age, geographic localities, and other population groups. HIV prevalence is seven times higher in urban than in rural areas (2.9% versus 0.4%). The prevalence rate is 18.3% among female sex workers and 4.2% among prisoners. 34% of new infections occur among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years

The fertility transitions in Ethiopia is leading to the demographic window of opportunity which eventually ensures a demographic dividend if proper investments are planned and implemented to strengthen capacities and to create development opportunities for young people. This calls for the integration of population factors including the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and youth at all levels of development planning and their interventions. Such endeavors should also accommodate adolescents and youth with special needs and those living in regions that need equitable development.

The trends towards the improvement of youth SRH and HIV/AIDS situations in the country are promising, though available evidences indicate that there are still risky sexual behaviors among different groups such as unmarried women and men, daily laborers, waitresses, and students of higher education institutions.

Ethiopia is concluding the current GTP II and other sectoral strategies. Home Grown Economic Reform which is the overarching government strategy as well as sectoral strategies are under development and will run for the next five years. FMOH, while concluding the current Health sector transformation, it is developing the next 5 years sectoral strategy. The Health Sector Strategy will be aligned and harmonized with the Home Grown Economic Reform and SDG goals.

The purpose of the assignment is to affect a paradigm shift in the health sector through the implementation of the SRHR key interventions in an integrated and holistic manner with health and non-health sectoral plans to ensure that they are aligned with the FMOH Agenda, the Home Grown Economic Reform, ICPD plan of Action, SDGs and other international commitments while serving the needs of the under-served segments of the population. Additionally, it will help the director of RMNCHY-N with the integration of the SRHR programme into SDGs framework, while localizing the SDGs at the country level.

You would be responsible for:

• Providing technical assistance to the RMNCAYH-N Directorate, FMOH in the integration of SRHR (Adolescent & Youth and Family planning programmes) into other social development interventions both in humanitarian and development contexts
• Support the development and implementation of national RMNCAYH-N strategy documents including the HSTPII, RH strategy and the AYH strategy
• Support the Research Advisory Council ( RAC) of the directorate in planning and delivery of AY-focused assessments
• Providing technical guidance to integrate humanitarian response into existing SRHR programmes to ensure that SRHR services continue
• Supporting RMNCHY-N Directorate on SRHR debates in a multi-sectoral context (i.e., providing feedback on SRHR interventions to different departments on policy and programs, and participating in the different SRHR forum).
• Providing support to SRHR Programming in the context of the Triple Nexus (Development, Humanitarian and Peace Nexus) Agenda
• Assisting EPHI/PHEM in responding SRHR in humanitarian contexts Facilitate the coordination of the AYH- TWG members to support the designing, implementation of innovative program to advance the health of young people including SRH.
• Assisting the RMNCHY-N Directorate and management at FMOH in policy synthesis and formulation for high-level advocacy and policy dialogue.
• Assisting the RMNCHY-N Directorate in developing and documenting knowledge about current and emerging trends in the area of SRHR, by analyzing programs, projects strategies, lessons learned, and best practices and shares with management for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies.
• In collaboration with government counterparts and other development partners, contributing substantively to the formulation and design of SRHR and Population Policies and its component projects in line with Government priorities.
• Liaising UNFPA programmes in the health sector and providing technical and operational roles
• Supporting in developing evidence-based policy papers and briefs on key emerging demographic drivers for SRHR and population and provide inputs for policy dialogue, technical assistance, and coordination and development frameworks.
• Promoting and coordinate SRHR/population sensitization activities to facilitate smooth integration of SRHR/Population dynamics in the SDGs framework.
• Supporting and ensure the capacity and clear understanding of RMNCHY-N Directorate of FMOH on SRHR/Population issues.
• Providing technical assistance to the RMNCHY-N Directorate for the proper alignment of national SDGs framework with ICPD beyond XXX monitoring framework.
• Supporting in advocating and popularizing the concept of ICPD plan of Action and demographic transition through coordinating with the Planning and Development Commission and other sectors
• In collaboration with Planning and Development Commission, supporting the post-Nairobi ICPD commitment of Ethiopian government implementation in collaboration with other sectors
• Support the implementation of periodic supportive supervision to regions, zones, districts and facilities
• Support the facilitation of vagarious review meetings and workshop in combination of in-person and virtual platforms
• Identifying technical assistance needs and coordinating relevant technical support.
• Performing other tasks as may be assigned by his/her supervisor

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• A Minimum of Advanced University degree in Medicine, public health or population related fields, in relevant fields is a plus.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Seven years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (Maternal health, FP, Adolescent & Youth, Family planning) both in humanitarian and development contexts;
• Experience in programme/ project management including experience in large multi-sector projects, designing and appraising proposals and actively liaising with relevant and potential project partners;
• Proven experience in coordinating/managing a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts and consultants;
• Field experience to various regions of Ethiopia on RMNCAYH-N program including humanitarian setting is an asset;
• Practical experience on the implementation of MISP in a humanitarian setting
• Prior experience with the Ministry of Health and the UN system is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

Required Competencies

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance, and other administrative requirements.

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Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.