Job Description

The Position:

International SRH Specialist is based in the Syria Country Office (SCO). Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA SCO Representative and the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, the International SRH Specialist will work to improve access and availability of Sexual and Reproductive Health and rights to Syrian population in both development and crisis contexts.

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 strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

UNFPA, as the UN agency for SRH, has historically been tasked with coordinating the SRH Technical Working Groups (TWG) where there is a cluster / sector system in place, in fragile settings or in humanitarian contexts. A global Sexual and Reproductive Health Task Team (SRH-TT) was established in November 2022 under the Global Health Cluster, to ensure that SRH priorities are systematically addressed in all phases of humanitarian response and that SRH is consistently included in cluster coordination at both the global and country levels. In line with the coordination being undertaken at the global level, UNFPA is supporting the SRH TWG in Damascus, under the overall umbrella of Health Sector, leading interagency.

In addition, the SCO, in line with the global strategic plan, is delivering SRH, GBV and youth empowerment services under its ninth Country Programme Document (CPD), 2022-2024 and Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), 2024. The programme contributes to the realization of the national priorities and the Strategic Framework of cooperation between the Syrian Arab Republic and the United Nations. It addresses the areas of UNFPA assistance that are complementary to the large-scale humanitarian programme delivery. The SCO programmes ensure the integration of institutional and community resilience with a more effective humanitarian response, with a forward-looking strategy on early recovery interventions. UNFPA will continue to focus on reaching the most vulnerable, including people with disabilities, and people living in hard-to-reach areas, through a range of multi-pronged integrated sexual and reproductive health and comprehensive gender-based violence prevention and response interventions, to ensure that no one is left behind.

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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:

Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA CO Representative and the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, and daily coordination with the Assistant Representative, the SRH Analyst, the SRH WG members and the Health Sector Coordinator, the International SRH Specialist substantially contributes to accelerating efforts to achieve the SRH goals of the UNFPA SCO as outlined in the Country Programme Document and the Humanitarian Response Plan. The Specialist will work with all SRH partners in Syria to improve access and availability of SRH and rights (SRHR) in both development and crisis contexts, facilitate and coordinate the rapid implementation of multi-sectoral, inter-agency SRH interventions; facilitate the planning, procurement and delivery of RHCS, including medical supplies and equipment; orients UNFPA and partners staff on SRH related issues (including reproductive, maternal and newborn health, family planning information and services, STIs and HIV prevention, care and treatment, and clinical management of rape services for survivors of sexual violence); resource mobilization, building and sustaining partnerships, strategic planning, communication and advocacy, and information management. S/he works to maintain SRHR as a priority across the humanitarian-development continuum in partnership with the Government and Development Partners, optimizing resource allocation, creating synergies, influencing policies, and improving the consistency and effectiveness of UNFPA’s work in the country within an integrated program delivery framework, and coordination with UNFPA other offices (particularly, Gaziantep and the Hub in Amman) to ensure strong collaboration and coverage of SRH programming through the humanitarian-development nexus and WOS approach.

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You would be responsible for:

1. Strengthening MISP rollout and implementing humanitarian programme

• Support rapid assessment/s of SRH needs of the affected population and facility-based assessment on SRH services to tailor UNFPA’s responses.
• Support (in collaboration with the SRH Analyst, Logistics/Procurement unit, GBV unit and IPC) procurement of emergency RH kits, equipment and medical supplies as well as dignity kits; develop a distribution plan to meet the needs of implementing partners and other identified NGOs for RH services, monitor distribution and ensure utilization reporting.
• Explore other opportunities and entry points to deliver SRH services for specific at-risk vulnerable groups affected by the crisis including persons with disabilities, solo female parents, unaccompanied adolescent girls, etc.
• Support, as needed, the coordination of training sessions on SRH in emergencies (for health care providers, community services officers, security personnel, refugee/IDP population, host population, etc.).
• Support UNFPA contributions to the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), and pooled funding proposals and ensure communication with UNFPA WOS Hub for UNFPA / SRH representation at the ISC and SSG.
• In collaboration with the SRH Analyst, assist in developing/adapting protocols for selected areas in programme coordination (such as syndromic case management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), referral for emergency obstetric care, midwifery, fistula repair, medical response to survivors of rape, counselling and family planning services, etc.).
• Collaborate with UNFPA SRH colleagues to support CO to strengthen the implementation of the Minimum Initial Service package (MISP), to establish sexual and reproductive health priorities, and to assess progress towards achievement with technical tools and approaches, accelerating implementation of activities funded through CERF and UNFPA Emergency Response Fund.
• Support SRH-related development programmes when assistance is required and work closely with nexus and development stakeholders to develop an exit strategy, which includes the transition to evidence-based, comprehensive SRH programmes and longer-term sustainable financing.

2. SRH coordination

• Lead the SRH working group, in close communication and collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Health Sector Coordinator, to promote interagency coordination and delivery of SRH services in acute and protracted emergencies, through recovery and with consideration of the nexus and development programming.
• Lead on assessments with SRH working group partners and stakeholders to better understand the status of reproductive health services and needs in the country and to establish a robust SRH strategy.
• Ensure UNFPA technical support is available, and mandate is represented in the inter-agency Health Sector, Inter Sector Coordination Meetings and other relevant humanitarian coordination and development-related forums to promote the consideration and inclusion of SRH in the health sector response plan; coordinate with working group members to provide capacity building opportunities to relevant government, UN, INGO and NGO/CSO partners.
• Collaborate closely with UNFPA colleagues and IPs to ensure participation alongside SRH WG members to ensure rationalization of response interventions, implementation of MISP, coordination of referral pathways, and identification of RH supplies needs (allocating them to the designated areas and facilities in accordance with the Last Mile Assurance process and procedures).
• Provide inputs, on behalf of SRH WG partners, for Health Sector and OCHA SitReps and other communication products and advocacy materials, as required.
• Promote an interagency response that integrates GBV, adolescent and young people, and data into SRH interventions.
• Coordinate with SRH response partners and collect 3Ws, work with SRH and Health Sector IM to analyze and share mapping and gap analysis with the national level Health Sector, and other sector and relevant government agencies.
• Ensure standardization of SRH partner response activities and messaging, and advocate for integration, streamlining, and visibility of SRH into the HNO and HRP documents and other UN and government assessments and resource mobilization efforts.

3. Strengthening advocacy, partnership and resource mobilization

• Engage in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts for the Country Office by preparing relevant documentation, such as project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events.
• Assist in the preparation of project proposals, donor reports, and technical briefs related to selected priority areas and projects, based on systematic analysis of processes and outputs from UNFPA-supported projects, including support for research activities with universities.
• Ensure UNFPA’s leadership in SRH interventions during emergencies, including involvement in Humanitarian Programme Cycle processes, Strategic Framework development, and the implementation of Country Programme Documents.
• Support the creation and documentation of knowledge about current and emerging SRH activities by the SRH programme team. This involves analyzing programme, project, strategies, approaches, and ongoing experiences to capture lessons learned and best practices. Use this knowledge for information sharing and planning future strategies.
• Support the UNFPA SRH Analyst in building partnerships with regional and local government units, non-government organizations, civil society, communities, inter-faith groups, co-UN agencies, development partners and the private sector in promoting full implementation of the MISP.
• Contribute to identifying and coordinating potential resource mobilization initiatives and opportunities to further widen and diversify UNFPA’s investments on SRHR.
• Support the CO programme and communication team during the development of communication products on UNFPA’s emergency reproductive health programming for use in communications with donors, partners and with other stakeholders, including UNOCHA
• Support the CO programme and communication team during the development and / or revision of information, education and communication (IEC) materials for SRH in emergencies programming in community-based outlets during project implementation and support inputs for SitReps and other communication products, as required

4. Support monitoring and evaluation for SRH programme delivery effectively and efficiently and reporting

• Support the achievement of programme results by ensuring the application of appropriate policies and procedures by the programme team. Establish and implement suitable monitoring and oversight mechanisms and systems.
• Support (with the M&E unit and SRH Analyst) the monitoring of SRH programmes including MISP implementation.
• Undertake field monitoring missions and ensure the implementation of recommendations from UNFPA SRH-relevant monitoring missions and SRH Working Group assessments.
• Collaborate closely with the M&E team to analyze existing data and identify trends and areas of concern.
• Support the monitoring of progress at facility and community levels including in NES/SWS and contribute to data collection, compilation and analysis for further planning and programming.
• Prepare regular progress reports and document lessons learned and challenges and share with UNFPA Management and relevant SRH colleagues.
• Ensure that the achievements of the SRH Working Group and UNFPA projects/programmes are clearly documented in donor’s reports.

Undertake any other responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor or UNFPA Representative.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced Master’s degree in medicine, public health, midwifery, nursing or community health. Additional degrees in population studies, demography, social work, or other social sciences related fields will be an asset.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in project/programme development and management, especially in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, GBV and youth development, preferably in emergency contexts.
• Specialized knowledge and substantive experience within Health Systems Strengthening and integrated SRH, GBV and youth development approaches.
• Experience with humanitarian coordination mechanisms and the humanitarian programme cycle as well as implementation of SRH programmes in humanitarian and fragile contexts.
• Experience in strategic planning and implementation; programme/project management including experience in large multi-sector programmes;
• Ability to develop and coordinate SRH programs that target refugees, IDPs/returnees and their host communities is required.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, networking, and negotiation skills are required.
• Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral forms is required.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience within a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and lead a diverse multi-skilled team.
• Prior experience in the UN system is an asset; particularly understanding of the UNFPA mandate, three transformative goals and operations and understanding of the Syrian context.

Languages:

• Proficiency in English oral and written is a must. Working level of Arabic is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

Exemplifying integrity,

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,

Embracing cultural diversity,

Embracing change

Core Competencies:

Achieving results,

Being accountable,

Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

Thinking analytically and strategically,

Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda

Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships

Delivering results-based programme

Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

Providing strategic focus,

Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,

Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance

Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net 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.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

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.

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