Purpose of consultancy:ย
As summarized in the 2020 MISP readiness assessment guidelines, โsexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs are not put on pause during emergenciesโand often increase due to disruptions to health systems, displacement and breakdowns in societal protection and social structures. Pregnancies, complications, risk of STI and HIV transmission and the wish to access contraceptives do not stop when an emergency strikes. In addition, the risks of unsafe abortions, unsafe deliveries and sexual- and gender-based violence can worsen during times of crisis and exacerbate the existing vulnerability of women, girls, marginalized and underserved groups. To mitigate these risks, access to quality SRH care in emergencies is essential. ย In 1995, members of the international humanitarian community formed the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Crises and developed a set of minimum reproductive health interventions to be put in place at the outset of a humanitarian crisis known as the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH. Despite recognizing the importance of providing lifesaving SRH care during emergencies and it being acknowledged in international standard documents such as the Sphere Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, several evaluations on MISP implementation showed that essential SRH services are still not consistently implemented. Greater efforts are needed to ensure availability of SRH care for all during emergencies and this includes strengthening preparedness efforts. To assess a countryโs readiness to provide these services the MISP readiness assessment (MRA) tool was developed. This tool allows a team of experts in a country to evaluate the countryโs capacity to implement the MISP at the outset of a crisis. In 2023 and 2024, UNFPA ASRO supported nine country offices to undertake the MRA (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia, Somalia and Yemen). The results of the assessments were presented in country-level reports and a regional report has been consolidated. ย UNFPA ASRO intends to recruit an international consultant to support the country offices undertaking the assessments in 2025, to provide ongoing advice to the COs that undertook the 2023 and 2024 assessments, and to finalize and present a final regional report summarizing the results of the nine MRAs undertaken in 2023-2025 as well as broader trends related to the MRAs from a global review undertaken by the Humanitarian Response Division and funded by the Maternal and Newborn Health Thematic Fund. ย The deliverables from this consultancy will contribute to ASROโs commitment in the current Regional Programme to enhance the integration of SRH into national emergency preparedness plans and policies across the Arab States Region. Furthermore, analysis and results will help to position ASROโs work to support Country Offices in the region across the nexus on emergency preparedness and response moving into the next Regional Programme. ย ย
The Consultant will report directly to the ASRO SRH Specialist, who provides direction and guidance, certify delivery of outputs and evaluate performance and will work closely with the ASRO Humanitarian Advisor. ย
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.ย UNFPAโs strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to 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 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to โbuild forward betterโ, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on womenโs and girlsโ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
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.
Scope of work:ย
The International Consultant is expected to submit to UNFPA ASRO the following deliverables and complete the following tasks: ย
Provide technical support to country teams on the MISP Readiness Assessmentย
Provide guidance and technical support to the 4 country teams (Algeria, Djibouti, Libya, and Oman) to implement the MISP Readiness Assessment and to develop action plans to be implemented over a period of 2 to 3 years with national stakeholders. ย Review and quality assure the results from the MISP Readiness Assessments and the country action plans derived from the above country-level assessments undertaken in 2025. ย Follow up Country Offices that have carried out consultations in 2023 and 2024 (through a webinar and individual follow up) to understand progress and challenges in implementation of the assessment results. ย A summary of the progress should be included in a brief report that captures relevant support needed from Country Offices and Regional Offices moving forward. ยPrepare an analysis on impact of preparedness on responses in the regionย
Using MRAs undertaken in Palestine (West Bank) and Lebanon prior to escalations of conflict in 2023 and 2024, respectively, contribute to an analysis of how the MRA exercise and results were beneficial to emergency responses and/or reflect on why the assessment did/did not have the desired impact - analysing through the lens of realistic recommendations for future action. ย ยSharing and validation of assessment resultsย
Develop an annex to the regional report with results from assessments undertaken in 2025 and ย a short section reflecting how ASROโs results compare to other regions or complement recommendations from global analysis and recommendations for ASROโs continued work. ยYou would be responsible for:
Qualifications and Experience:ย
Education:ย An advanced University Degree (Masters of equivalent) in humanitarian affairs, social sciences, international relations, international development, public administration or related disciplines;ย
Knowledge and Experience:ย
At least 10 years of professional experience in working in humanitarian and development sector; ย Demonstrated personal commitment, passion and engagement in SRHR, particularly on serving the needs of the most vulnerable;ย Strong SRH expertise, with solid experience and extensive knowledge of the MISP;ย Strong expertise and in-depth knowledge of the new MISP Readiness Assessment tool developed by IPPF, as well as other tools such as the preparedness toolkit โready to save livesโ; ย Strong experience in supporting SRH national working groups; ย Strong capacity to work remotely and independently;ย Strong leadership and sense of initiative; ย Extensive experience in generating summaries, analyses and activitiesโ reports; ย Experience of development of communication, advocacy and training materials for policymakers in the field of SRHR;ย Strong oral presentation skills; ย Previous experience in delivering similar assignments;ย Familiarity with UNFPA mandate and the Inter-Agency Working Groupยย
Languages: Excellent command of English is required; French or Arabic skills are an asset.
Required Competencies:ย
Values:
Exemplifying integrity,ย Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,ย Embracing cultural diversity,ย Embracing changeCore Competencies:ย
Achieving results, Being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,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 hereย to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.ย
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.ย
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.