NGO JOBS

Organization: UN Population Fund
Country: Benin
Closing date: 19 Feb 2014

We are pleased to announce the following vacancy:

VACANCY NO.: Job ID 2413

CLOSING DATE: 19 February 2014 (5.00 p.m. New York time)

POST TITLE: Technical Adviser, Maternal Health/Family Planning

CATEGORY: ICS-11 (equivalent to P-4)

DUTY STATION: Cotonou, Benin

POST TYPE: Non-Rotational

DURATION: One year (renewable) 1

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: West and Central Africa Regional Office

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:

Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Representative and the direct supervision of the Director of the Maternal and Child Health of the Ministry of Health, the International technical adviser is responsible for providing technical support to the implementation of the consolidated annual work plan 2014 for strengthening Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmOC) and increased Family Planning (FP) in Benin. The position is available immediately for an initial period of one (1) year.

In collaboration with the national counterpart (Government and Civil Society), UN agencies and other partners, he/she contributes substantially to reducing family planning unmet needs, increasing coverage of EmOC, strengthening the institutional framework for the management of human resources in maternal health and family planning, improving the availability and accessibility of reproductive health services quality, with active community involvement. He/she oversees the implementation of the Annual Work Plan (AWP), particularly in the health districts covered by the program. He/she ensures the quality of interventions and outcomes : (i) best practices and lessons learned in the management of the work plan , (ii) leadership, governance, coordination , monitoring and evaluation at all levels of the health pyramid for the promotion of Family Planning, and Gender for accelerating maternal mortality reduction and Benin sustainable development.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Expert will accomplish the following tasks:

• Develop a synthesis of all programmes and projects funded by Benin UNFPA Country Office in the field of maternal health, family planning and protection of sexual and reproductive health of young girls showing synergies, complementarities, any duplication. This summary document will have a clear strategic vision. It will take into account the United Nation Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and show interactions, complementarities, potential duplication with the action plans of sister agencies such as UNICEF and WHO. It will propose a joint action plan with other agencies in the field of interventions to reduce maternal mortality, especially pillars: FP, Commodity Security, Sexual Health of Adolescents and Young, EmOC, antenatal refocused, deliveries attended by qualify staff, preventing the HIV transmission from mother to child and nutrition of pregnant women.• Develop a permanent knowledge, in conjunction with the Regional Office and Headquarters, Experts on innovative strategies maternal health/family planning in order to accelerate progress towards the achievement of MDG 5 - Improving maternal health;• Participate in the implementation and monitoring of Annual Work Plan activities by conducting field visits, participate in review meetings and missions evaluation and prepare quarterly and annual reports on the progress;• Exploit studies and research available data in Benin on maternal health, family planning and the girl, and maintain statistics relating thereto, with a view to updating indicators of maternal health;• Contribute to the creation and sharing of knowledge by synthesizing and documenting the results, lessons learned, successes and best practices, strategies and innovative approaches to promoting maternal health, family planning and securing products;• Strengthen national capacities in Reproductive Health for: i) conduct needs assessments in the field of EmOC and FP, ii) achieve cost estimates of developed plans and rapidly mobilize the resources required for their implementation; iii) conduct the political dialogue for growth and the equitable distribution of qualified heath providers, particularly midwives for skilled attendance at birth iv) contribute to equitable access to reproductive health services, including for the poor; v) propose initiatives to address the deep causes of maternal mortality, including gender inequalities vi) improve monitoring and evaluation;• Strengthen partnership with other UN agencies, and civil society organizations for the planning, implementation and monitoring of high impact interventions to reduce maternal mortality; • Report regularly on progress in maternal health/family planning and sharing information with the various actors in the context of improving intervention strategies in this regard;• Contribute to the mobilization of financial resources for: i) the promotion of family planning, ii) the promotion of maternal health; iii ) strengthening Reproductive Health Commodity Security, iv ) the protection of the girl, preparing adequate documentation and participating in meetings of donors;• Coordinate and manage available resources on the Thematic Funds;• Contribute to the Annual Work Plan 2014 evaluation and the development of the Annual Work Plan 2015 for EmOC strengthening and FP intensification;• Provide technical support for the operation of the Country Office two clusters;• Perform other tasks as requested by the supervisor in the area of his/her competences.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

i) Values: Integrity, commitment, embracing cultural diversity, embracing change.

ii) Core Competencies: Achieving results, accountability, developing professional expertise, analytical thinking, working in teams, communicating for impact.

iii) Required Skillset:

• Development and programme management focused on results • Innovation and dissemination of new approaches• Resources mobilization from national governments and partners/Building strategic alliances with partners• Advocacy / Presentation of an oriented agenda• Resources mobilization

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Advanced university degree or equivalent in public health, population and demography, a degree of Doctor in Medicine or a Midwife with additional positive factors.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 7 years of professional experience preferably in program/project management in the public or private sector in the field of reproductive health, of which at least 3 years at the international level.

• Experience in maternal health, emergency obstetric and neonatal care and family planning will be highly appreciated. It is the same for any candidate who has worked for the United Nations.

• Have field experience in public health in developing countries and a good knowledge of social, economic and political sub- region of West and Central Africa context is an asset.

• Have proven skills in report writing and publication of articles in maternal health and family planning is essential.

LanguagesMastery of French and a good working knowledge in English is required.

Knowledge informationProven skills in current use of the office software are also required.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender quality, 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.

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 https://erecruit.partneragencies.org/erecruit.htmlPlease 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.

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.

1 No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulation 4.5