Reproductive Health National Programme Officer

Job title: Reproductive Health National Programme Officer
Post level: Service Contract (SB 4/3)
Duration: 6 months initially with possibility of extension
Duty Station: Jerusalem


    
UNFPA will start implementation of its 4th Country Programme of Assistance to the occupied Palestinian territory (2011-2013). In line with the United Nations medium-term response plan, UNFPA will support national capacity-building through technical assistance, policy guidance, advocacy, and the facilitation of partnerships. The programme includes three components reproductive health and rights; gender equality; and population and development.
UNFPA seeks to recruit a National Programme Officer to support the implementation of the reproductive health programme component including comprehensive women’s health, and youth health, also integrating healthy lifestyles and life skills. The component will use a human rights-based approach, focusing on capacity-building and institutional development.
The RH National Programme Officer will work under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Representative and under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Deputy Representative and in close cooperation and coordination with the UNFPA team based in Jerusalem and Gaza. He/she will contribute substantively to the formulation, management and monitoring of UNFPA's supported RH activities in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) and ensure timely and quality delivery of programme outputs. The RH NPO will maintain collaborative relationships with various stakeholders, such as the Palestinian Authority, Civil Society, UN agencies and bilateral and multi-lateral donors and contribute to the advocacy and resource mobilization efforts for the UNFPA supported programme.

More specifically, the RH NPO, with the assistance of a Programme Associate under his/her supervision, will be responsible for the following:

-Contribute substantively to the development of the UNFPA country programme, its Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) and the subsequent Annual Work Plans with a focus on the RH programme component in line with the country's priorities and incorporating the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICP-PoA);
-Ensure quality of project/work plan design incorporating lessons learned, newly developed policies and best practices and establishing appropriate execution and implementation mechanisms in accordance with UNFPA programme policies and procedures;
-Monitor and evaluate programmatic and financial implementation of annual work plans under RH component; analyze and report on project progress in terms of achieving results, using existing monitoring and evaluation tools; identify constraints and resource deficiencies and recommend corrective actions; monitor project expenditures and disbursements to ensure delivery is in line with the approved project budgets and to realize targeted delivery levels. In this respect, conduct field monitoring visits to project sites, meet and liaise with project staff, participate in review meetings and evaluation missions and contribute to project progress reports; contribute to annual programme and project reviews;
-Identify technical assistance needs of national counterparts and implementing partners; provide direct technical assistance in line with area of expertise as needed within the context of the UNFPA programme; organize technical missions to OPT and facilitate delivery of technical outputs.
-Provide technical and managerial support to the UNFPA Representative as the Chair of the UN Theme Group on HIV, AIDS and TB.
-Continually monitor and evaluate the humanitarian situation and its impact on RH; analyze reports and identify urgent health related needs; facilitate the UNFPA CO response to these needs including strengthening of CO, partners and national emergency preparedness as it relates to Reproductive Health.
-Strengthen Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) in the oPt with a focus on selected family panning methods; coordinate with MOH and other relevant stakeholders for effective quantification and forecasting of national needs, contribute to strengthening of supply-chain management of RH commodities and supplies.

-Analyze and interpret the political and socio-economic environment relevant to reproductive health and help identify unmet needs and priority areas for UNFPA's development assistance.
-Establish collaborative relationships with the Palestinian Authority, especially the Ministry of Health, executing and implementing agencies and supporting them technically and managerially; liaise with UN agencies and donors and facilitate timely and efficient delivery of project inputs. This requires, among other things, organizing and/or participating in RH programme component related coordination meetings with national partners and donors (LAC sector Working Groups), UN agencies (MTRP-Strategic Area Groups and theme groups); and humanitarian stakeholders (humanitarian clusters and sectors).
-Help create and document knowledge about current RH and gender issues by analyzing programme/project strategies, approaches and  experiences, lessons learned and best practices and sharing them with the UNFPA team for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies.
-Contribute to advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the UNFPA Country Office by: (a) developing RH project proposals, information kits, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles and project proposals for humanitarian appeals such as the CAP; (b) establishing and maintaining a network of donor and public information contacts; (c) conducting meetings with donors, UN, Palestinian Authority, civil society organizations; and (d) organizing public information events (i.e., to celebrate population events, such as World Population Day, Women Day, International Youth Day, World Aids Day, Launching the State of World Population Report, etc.).
-Substitute for the other office colleagues as needed and fulfill any others task as assigned;

UNFPA is looking for a candidate who has
-Proven managerial ability for results  orientation and commitment to excellence
-Ability for advocacy and advancing a policy oriented agenda.
-Skills to establish maintain and utilize a broad network of contacts to keep abreast of developments and to share information. 
-Integrity, commitment and respect for diversity.
-Skills to manage relationships, communicate and develop people
-Ability for analytical and strategic thinking and results oriented
-Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Job Requirements

Academic Requirements:

Medical Doctor with a Master’s degree in health, population, demography and/or other related social sciences. We expect professional experience of 8-10 years of which at least 3 years preferably with the UN system and/or international organizations. Good knowledge and experience with the Palestinian health system is required. Experience in management of RH projects is an asset.

Languages: 

Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic

Computer Skills: 

Proficiency in current office software applications

Candidates are asked to indicate the position title they are applying for when submitting their recent CVs and P11 form via email to [email protected].  Closing date for applications is 5 October 2010 EOB. Only those short-listed for the position will be contacted.