Terms of Reference. Technical Specialist, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Official Job Title: Grade (Classified) P-4

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference Official Job Title: Technical Specialist, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya Grade (Classified) P-4 Duration Up to 3 years Background Improving Maternal, Newborn and Child health is a key global agenda. Although some progress has been noted, the goal of reducing maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by three quarters by 2015 remains unmet by most of the Low Income Countries (LICS). Given this scenario, consistent efforts need to continue focusing on reducing MMR in the high burden LICS, many of which will not have achieved the desired health targets contained within the aspirations of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Global Financing Facility (GFF) for Every Woman and Every Child responds to this challenge and aims to support scale-up Reproductive Maternal Newborn and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) plans and measurement mobilize and channel additional international and domestic financing. Kenya is among the countries with the highest MMR of 488 per 100,000 live births. More than 6,000 women and girls are estimated to die each year as a result of pregnancy-related complications most of which are totally preventable. Additionally, close to 250,000 women are estimated to suffer from disabilities caused by complications during pregnancy and childbirth each year. Universal access to sexual and reproductive health services including family planning and maternal health is a human right at the core of sustainable development. It is key to saving lives, advancing economic development, promoting environmental sustainability and advancing wellbeing, equity and social justice. In Kenya, gender discrimination is all too common. The available data suggests that one in four girls and women in Kenya between the ages of underwent female genital mutilation (FGM). Taken together, the alarming statistics of child marriages and gender-based violence, early pregnancies and high maternal deaths, as well as HIV infections reveal a particularly vulnerable subpopulation - the adolescent girls of Kenya. Ending preventable maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity requires concerted effort from diverse players from public as well as private sector working together. Leveraging wellcoordinated partnerships will thus be critical to achieving UNFPA mandate. Kenya being a frontrunner for the roll-out of the Global Financing Facility will definitely support this endeavor. Kenya has a conducive policy environment for implementation on RMNCAH interventions. 1. Organizational Location October

2 The Technical Specialist on Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) post is located in Nairobi, Kenya, and directly reports to the UNFPA Representative who provides overall strategic direction. In all activities s/he fosters collaboration within the Deputy Representative who is the Programme Coordinator and country office team as well as other UN agencies and strategic stakeholders in the development and implementation of the RMNCAH project. 2. Job Purpose The Technical Specialist post provides strategic technical and programmatic leadership in RMNCAH to ensure that organization remains abreast of the Fund s policy and programme policies as well as current thinking and academic advance in a given substantive areas affecting the ICPD Programme of Action and the post 2015 development agenda. The responsibilities of the senior advisor include: influencing priorities in the substantive areas of RMNCAH and reproductive ights, maintaining technical partnerships on substantive issues, and providing leadership to ensure that technical knowledge is updated, generated, collected and disseminated for effective technical and policy dialogues. The primary roles of the Technical Specialist are: I. Strategic technical support;, II. Results-based management; III. Capacity development IV. Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination V. Technical representation as it relates to RMNCAH/ASRH&R support resource mobilization efforts 3. Major Activities/Expected Results I. Strategic technical support Contribute to active contextual scanning at national and sub-regional levels, to lead in the elaboration and implementation of RMNCAH policy and programme interventions; Strategically advance the organization s policy, advocacy and communications agenda to more effectively position UNFPA as a global-leader in addressing RMNCAH issues, especially in humanitarian contexts. Provide advice, strategic support and guidance for the implementation of the RMNCAH project. Liaise with Government, the World Bank and other key-stakeholders to facilitate the successful roll-out of the Global Financing Facility in Kenya. Provide guidance and strategic direction to the Private Sector Alliance s efforts to mobilize non-state-actors in support of ongoing efforts in RMNCAH, including through UNFPA s Private Sector Advisory Panel for advancing MNH and the Media. II. Results-based management Establish operational guidance in the substantive area in respect to national RMNCAH targets and indicators, and specifically support the development and utilization of programme indicators Ensure incorporation of existing evaluation results, lessons learned and new knowledge in the RMNCAH technical updates/review; October

3 III. Capacity development Maintain and foster substantive, intellectual national partnerships in the technical areas for advancing state-of-the-art knowledge, outside and within UNFPA; Develop and manage substantive partnerships and collaborations with other UN agencies; Contribute to substantive technical capacity development of national institutions; Co-ordinate the UNFPA technical network in the substantive area of RMNCAH in emergency preparedness, humanitarian assistance, recovery and transition and relief efforts maintaining communication and feedback loops on all substantive work; Coach and manage both national and international staff, direct expert consultants and facilitate working groups and task teams; Coordinate overall provision of technical support to the Implementing partners and stakeholders in the area of technical expertise; IV. Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination Lead the analysis and synthesis of substantive trends, emerging needs and research findings in order to produce new, cutting edge technical knowledge; Identify, analyse, distill and synthesize state-of-the-art technical knowledge and evidence and ensure its transfer to improve the effectiveness of UNFPA programmes and operations; Ensure that evidence and technical knowledge and analysis of results. Ensure lessons learned are collected, managed, disseminated and available for application in UNFPA operations;, V. Technical representation Represent UNFPA on substantive issues, elaborate UNFPA s substantive global perspective, and advocate for substantive issues in international, inter-governmental, UN, development partners and other policy and technical meetings and fora; Collaborate on substantive issues with UN agencies, academia, research and training institutions, think tanks, centers of excellence, professional societies in the region; and Act as focal point for inter-agency working groups in the substantive area. VI. Support resource mobilization Provide technical inputs to resource mobilization activities using data, evidence, and appropriate language Carry out any other duties as may be requested by the Representative. 4. Work Relations External partners include UN agencies, donor community; international organizations, private sector and counterparts on substantive issues including Centers of Excellence, NGOs, Academia, and Research Institutions, professional associations, and international experts, in developing a wider network of technical experts and institutions. October

4 5. Job Requirements Education: Advanced degree or equivalent in Public health, Public policy, Medicine, International relations, international development, Public administration, Management or other related field. Knowledge and Experience: 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the substantive area, including seven years at the international level; Demonstrated expertise in the substantive area of work; and programme experience; Strong track record of technical leadership, including on gender equality, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results; Strong verbal and written communications skills in English; Demonstrated ability to network within the academic and development community; Familiarity with management and monitoring tools is desirable; Field experience is strongly 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, Communicating for impact Functional Skill Set: Developing and implementing conceptually innovative approaches to the provision of technical expertise - conceptual innovation; Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners, and building strategic alliances and partnerships - building strategic partnerships; Job knowledge / technical expertise - expert knowledge of own discipline; Adaptation and application of knowledge / innovations in different contexts; Integration in a multidisciplinary environment. Languages: Fluency in English is required. Other Desirable Skills: October

5 Initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations. October