National Consultant: Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Program Officer

The Individual Consultant Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Program Officer will provide high-level strategic and technical support to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in Ethiopia, focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights programs. The role involves advising on program formulation, evaluation, and national development frameworks, supporting nexus programming, and engaging in high-level platforms to advance health sector outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level strategic and technical assistance to the FMOH in the integration of SRHR into other social development interventions, both in humanitarian and development contexts
• Support the development and implementation of national RMNCAYH strategy documents, including the HSDIP II, RH, AY, and Obstetric Fistula Strategy
• Support the Research Advisory Council (RAC) of the MOH in the planning and delivery of evidence-based interventions
• Support MCAH LEO on SRHR debates in a multi-sectoral context
• Provide support to SRHR Programming in the context of Triple Nexus (Development, Humanitarian and Peace Nexus) Agenda
• Provide guidance and support to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute in Strengthening MPDSR, Obstetric Fistula surveillance, and responding to SRHR in humanitarian contexts
• Facilitate the coordination/attendance of SRHR TWGs to support the design and implementation of innovative programs to advance the health of women and young people
• Represent UNFPA in high-level engagements such as the JCCC, SDG, FP2030, HPN, health Financing, RMNCH COMPACT TWGS, and other SRHR platforms, and provide technical and strategic advice
• Coordinate and facilitate the FP 20230 country engagement, including timely country self-reporting
• Assist the MCAH LEO and senior management at FMOH in policy synthesis and formulation for high-level advocacy and policy dialogue on issues pertaining to SRHR
• Assist the MCAH LEO in developing and documenting knowledge about current and emerging trends in the area of SRHR by analyzing programs, projects, strategies, lessons learned, and best practices, and share with management for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies
• In collaboration with government counterparts and other development partners, contributing substantively to the formulation and design of SRHR and Population Policies and their component projects in line with Government priorities
• Liaise with UNFPA programs in the health sector and provide technical and operational support as required
• Support in developing evidence-based policy papers and briefs on key emerging demographic drivers for SRHR and population, and providing inputs for policy dialogue, technical assistance, and coordination and development frameworks
• Promote and coordinate SRHR/population sensitization activities to facilitate smooth integration of SRHR/Population dynamics in the SDGs framework
• Provide technical assistance to the MCAH LEO to ensure proper alignment of the national SDGs framework with the ICPD and EWENE
• Support in Annual work plan development with MOH, EPHI, and facilitate timely fund release and liquidation
• Provide required technical support to the technical and financial team at MOH on timely planning, reporting, and FACE management
• In collaboration with the Planning and Development Commission, supporting the post-Nairobi ICPD commitment of the Ethiopian government, in collaboration with other sectors
• Analyze the current needs and emerging issues at MOH and advise UNFPA management and the SRH team on strategic engagement
• Support the facilitation of various review meetings and workshops in combination of in-person and virtual platforms
• Identify technical assistance needs and coordinate with relevant UNFPA teams to provide tailored, coordinated technical support
• Performing other tasks as may be assigned by the senior management and supervisor

Requirements

• A Minimum of an advanced university degree in Medicine, public health, Reproductive health, nursing, midwifery, or any relevant health-related fields
• Two years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (Maternal health, Family planning, Adolescent & Youth), both in humanitarian and development contexts
• 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
• Proven experience in coordinating/managing a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts, and consultants
• Strong experience in the RMNCAY program and in Ethiopia’s health sector are assets
• Prior experience with the Ministry of Health and the UN system is an asset
• Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable

Skills

• Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Maternal Health Care
• Family Planning
• Adolescent and Youth Health
• Programme Management
• Project Design
• Project Appraisal
• Multi-Sector Project Coordination
• Team Coordination
• Multi-disciplinary Team Leadership
• RMNCAH Program
• Health Sector Knowledge
• Humanitarian Health
• Development Health Programs
• Stakeholder Liaison
• Strategic Program Support
• Program Evaluation
• National Health Frameworks
• Nexus Programming

Languages

English