“This Vacancy Announcement aims to fill three positions in three different duty stations in Sudan. Qualified candidates will be considered for assignment to one of the following locations, based on programmatic priorities and operational needs: Gedaref, Dongola, and Kassala. Applicants are encouraged to indicate their preferred and/or most suitable duty station(s) in their application”
The Position:
Three SRH / Maternal Health Specialist post is located in Dongola, Gedaref and Kassala Sudan. S/he will work with the state office staff, government, and implementing partners to plan, implement, and monitor Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights programs. The SRH / MH Specialist will contribute to the Reproductive and Maternal Health program formulation, planning, and implementation, joint programming initiatives, and national development frameworks. S/he will be a key member of the Integrated Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Program Unit and collaborate with the other program units (Gender, Population and Data, and Humanitarian) to ensure synergies among the units. S/he will work closely with program staff to ensure the completion of the UNFPA work plan, implementation, and reporting. One of the SRH / MH Specialist will oversee the Dongola office's designated states, which currently encompass the Northern State in addition to West, Central, East, South, and North Darfur States. Another SRH / MH Specialist will oversee the Gedaref office's designated states, which currently encompass Gedaref, Sinnar, White Nile, Gazeria, Blue Nile, and Kordofan states. The Third SRH / MH Analyst will oversee the Kasala office's designated states, which currently encompass Kasala state.
Under the overall guidance of the SRH program specialist, the SRH / MH Specialist will report directly to the Head of the 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 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 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations, and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ 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.
Since mid-April 2023, the ongoing conflict, along with previous conflicts dating back to 2003, has led to Sudan becoming the world’s largest internal displacement crisis. Approximately 11.4 million people – or one in every five individuals in Sudan – are now displaced. This figure includes 8.6 million people displaced since mid-April 2023 and an additional 2.75 million people displaced prior to this date. Around 3 million people have fled to neighboring countries, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda.
UNFPA is seeking candidates who 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 delivering excellence in Program results.
Job Purpose:
The SRH / MH Specialist works within a state office environment; s/he will contribute to the effective implementation of UNFPA activities in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and emergency obstetric care. S/he will provide technical assistance and contribute to the development of work plans and will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, implementing partners, and civil society to address emerging issues and effectively influence diverse stakeholders to contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate.
You would be responsible for:
Provide quality technical support to UNFPA implementing partners in project planning, implementation, and monitoring of program activities in accordance with work plans. Facilitate the work of consultants, advisers, and experts, establish, and maintain cooperative relationships with government counterparts, and civil society organizations, including community-based groups, women and youth-led organizations, to address emerging SRHR, gender equality, adolescent and youth SRH issues. Contribute to the achievement of Program results by supporting Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) with a focus on Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC), including men and boys’ engagement, SRH interventions for persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. Work with implementing partners to design, plan, implement, and monitor Program initiatives related to rights-based quality SRH service delivery, including adolescent and youth SRH, EmONC, family planning, sexually transmitted infections/ HIV, and management of sexual and gender-based violence. In addition to providing technical support and capacity building when required to IPs. Report on the progress of SRH projects in the targeted areas and conduct monitoring visits. Contribute to the implementation of effective knowledge management strategies, including the dissemination of national guidelines, protocols, and Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials for improved RH and family planning service delivery. Work with Country Office staff to apply UNFPA business processes for management of implementing partners working in SRH, including planning, monitoring, and reporting on Programs and results. Monitor SRH UNFPA Program and financial implementation by keeping a close record on the progress of activities, funds being expended at the project level, and agreements being made with local partners. When possible and access permits, conduct site visits to project sites to make sure of the quality implementation, identify areas of improvement, and evaluate the cost-benefit nature of interventions. Support the development of national capacities in SRH both at the institutional level and with key partners, seeking to provide high-quality technical support in the area and in accordance with the UNFPA mandate. Contribute to the technical review of laws, policies, strategies, and products on SRHR when UNFPA is involved. Participating in communication, advocacy, and resource mobilization efforts of the CO, by ensuring the preparation of relevant documentation, including project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in related meetings and CO events. Participates in relevant workshops and events, enhancing UNFPA's mandate on SRHR and works to ensure that SRHR issues are incorporated in national development plans and frameworks. Ensure proper emergency preparedness and contingency plans, including availability of RH supplies, particularly the IARH kits, are in place in the areas covered by the office. Work collaboratively with the GBV team in the office to ensure complementarity of services, integration between programs, as well as a shared vision of the office. Actively represent UNFPA in relevant coordination platforms—such as the SRH Working Group, Health Cluster, and other forums within the states covered by the Field Office—ensuring that the voices, rights, and needs of women and girls are prioritized, and that critical gaps are highlighted to support coordinated efforts. Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadershipQualifications and Experience:
Education:
An advanced degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Health, Medicine/Health Sciences, or other related disciplines.
Knowledge and Experience:
At least five years of increasingly responsible professional experience and responsibilities at the national level in the field of sexual and reproductive and maternal health, population activities. Experience in program/ project management including experience in large multi-sector projects, designing and appraising proposals and actively liaising with relevant and potential project partners. Knowledge of the national health system and national models for the provision of health services. Knowledge and understanding of the quality of care, human rights applied to users of health services in SRH and clinical care for sexual violence. Experience in culturally sensitive programming. Knowledge of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health (RH) with counterparts and communities. Demonstrated expertise in the substantive area of work, including programme/project planning, design, follow-up, monitoring, and evaluation. Strong track record of technical leadership and proven ability to produce high-quality results. Knowledge in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create and manage spreadsheets, use advanced functions (e.g., pivot tables, data analysis tools), and effectively organize and analyze data.Languages:
Fluency and Proficency in English and Arabic is required.
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 provincial and local governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships;
Delivering results-based programmes;
Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization.
Project management leadership
Managerial Competencies (if applicable):
Providing strategic focus;
Engaging 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 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.