Maternal Health and Health Systems Strengthening Adviser, WCARO

This position acts as the UNFPA regional Principal Lead Adviser for integrated technical and programmatic support on maternal and newborn health, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and health systems strengthening in West and Central Africa. The Adviser provides strategic leadership and technical assistance to accelerate progress towards ending preventable maternal deaths and strengthening health systems in the region.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical, policy and programmatic leadership, management advice and strategic support and guidance to the regional office and the West and Central African countries on maternal and newborn health, SRHR and health systems strengthening in development and humanitarian settings.
• Lead efforts to accelerate progress towards ending preventable maternal deaths in the region.
• Lead and manage provision of high quality technical assistance and programme support to countries with focus on strengthening health, financing, governance and accountability systems.
• Lead implementation of regional road map on reducing maternal mortality and positioning maternal and newborn health as a strategic priority.
• Undertake analyses of trends pertaining to maternal and newborn health and health delivery systems within universal health coverage framework.
• Identify strategic actions and broker partnerships for accelerating progress towards improving maternal and women’s health.
• Work in integrated manner with technical, operations, programme and communications staff in WCARO and liaise with other UNFPA units and Technical Network.
• Supervise Midwifery Specialist and other technical staff, coach junior professionals, direct expert consultants and facilitate working groups.
• Advise country offices on implementation of UNFPA policies, strategies, guidelines and tools in maternal and newborn health, SRHR and health systems strengthening.
• Organize and contribute to capacity development activities in maternal and newborn health, SRHR and health systems strengthening.
• Contribute to development and implementation of regional integrated technical delivery strategy to strengthen capacities.
• Provide strategic technical guidance to promote integration of essential SRHR package including family planning and GBV services.
• Monitor quality of technical support at country level for effective policy dialogue and programming.
• Engage in country programme development process contributing to evaluation, assessment, prioritization and strategic dialogue.
• Build, coordinate and monitor regional knowledge platform in maternal and newborn health, SRHR and health systems strengthening.
• Develop and coordinate partnerships and collaboration with UN agencies and regional institutions.
• Represent UNFPA on forums and issues pertaining to maternal and newborn health and health systems strengthening in the region.
• Participate in policy dialogue and advocate for maternal and newborn health and health systems strengthening in international and regional meetings and fora.
• Act as focal point for inter-agency working groups in maternal and newborn health, SRHR and health systems strengthening.
• Carry out any other duties as requested by the Office of the Regional Director.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in health, Medicine, Obstetric and Gynaecology and/or Public Health, or other fields directly related to maternal and newborn health, SRHR and health system strengthening.
• 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in maternal and newborn health, SRHR and health system strengthening, of which seven years is at the international level.
• Proven experience in a lead maternal health role, or SRHR including health sector reform, health systems strengthening.
• Understanding of areas relevant to UNFPA's mandate such as family planning, contraceptive technology, sexual and reproductive health services, reproductive and/or gender-based violence, population dynamics, gender equality, social protection systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in policy engagement within developing countries and Middle-Income Countries.
• Established global and regional professional networks related to maternal and newborn health, SRHR and health systems strengthening.
• Strong track record of producing demonstrable results.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with national counterparts, academia, civil society organizations, private sector and development partners.

Skills

• Maternal Health Care
• Newborn Health
• Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Public Health Systems Strengthening
• Health Sector Reforms
• Policy Engagement
• Family Planning
• Contraceptive Technologies
• Gender-Based Violence Awareness
• Population Dynamics
• Gender Equality
• Social Protection Policies
• International Health Experience
• Programmatic Support
• Strategic Leadership
• Technical Assistance
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Health Policy Development
• Maternal Health Networks
• SRHR Networks

Languages

English, French