SRHR Project Coordinator

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The ULC Cluster aims to support Member States in building and sustaining strong health systems that provide equitable access to quality essential health services across all ages. This is done by enhancing leadership, governance, advocacy, workforce, essential medicine access, health information systems, and innovation capacity. The goal is to improve access to quality essential health services at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level while reducing financial hardship to support Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the WHO African Region. The RMH Programme in the ULC Cluster supports Member States in creating policies and plans that promote sexual reproductive, maternal, and perinatal health. It follows WHO norms and standards and aims to end preventable maternal deaths and ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health services. The Programme works with other technical clusters in the WHO African Regional and Country Offices to define the RMH research and innovation agenda and strengthen strategic partnerships to ensure universal access to high-quality, integrated health services. The WHO AFRO -SRHR project is a two-year project within WHO African Region to strengthen high-quality Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights services using an integrated people-centered health systems approach in 18 focus countries in the African Region. The key objectives of this collaboration are: To increase access to high-quality, integrated, people-centered comprehensive abortion care, family planning and comprehensive SRHR service using a primary health care approach. To strengthen health workforce development, including community health workers to enhance quality and accessibility of safe abortion and contraception. To support the development of the WHO/AFRO Data Hub, including strengthening systems and capacities for safe abortion and family planning data generation, analysis and use at country and regional levels and strengthening WHO/AFRO's communication capacity. To strengthen long-term investments and sustainability of WHO/AFRO SRHR support to countries by improving the collaborative work with the WHO Collaborating Centres and other institutions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent coordinates the implementation of a new WHO AFRO - SRHR project within the Region and facilitates the formulation, review, and implementation of related activities. The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Ensure effective direction, management, accountability and reporting of the SRHR-supported project in an integrated manner within the context of the RMH programme of the ULC cluster and in collaboration with other WHO technical clusters in WHO African Regional and Country offices.
• Ensure the management, monitoring, evaluation, and results-based reporting of the Project to optimize key deliverables aligned with the donor agreement.
• Provide technical support to Member States, and other critical stakeholders to improve access to high-quality integrated people-centred sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services using a Primary Health Care (PHC) approach. Support the strengthening of national legal and policy environment for increased access to people centred SRHR services.
• Facilitate the development and update of a national/regional database and profile on SRHR and support regional and national capacity building for monitoring and evaluation of SRHR programs, and the sharing of best practices.
• Support initiatives to improve availability, equitable deployment, and retention of skilled health workforce for SRHR services. Support initiatives to provide comprehensive SRHR services, including abortion care and family planning, and preventing maternal death in conflict and emergency settings.
• Advocate with relevant government agencies and partners to ensure that the essential SRHR medicines and health products are included in the national Essential Medicines List.
• Support the prioritization of SRHR services in Essential Health Services and Health Benefits Packages, including in humanitarian settings. Support the development of the WHO/AFRO Data Hub, including strengthening systems and capacities for SRHR (safe abortion and family planning) data generation, analysis and use at country and regional levels and strengthening WHO/AFRO's communication capacity.
• Perform other duties assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Medical Doctor with a master's degree in public health, International Relations, International Development, Economics, Management, Business Administration, Development, Social Sciences, or a related field.
Desirable: Specialized training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or a Ph.D. in Public Health, Population Health, SRHR, or Maternal Health would be an asset.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of relevant increasingly responsible professional experience, with at least 5 years of proven track record of implementing both SRHR programs and grant management at the senior management level. Proven ability to effectively collaborate across multiple teams and deliver results at a global scale, while supporting coherent and integrated programming. Experience in providing senior-level advice and guidance to Senior Management/Decision-makers and managing human and financial resources. Demonstrated experience of at least 5years at the international level.
Desirable: Experience in strategy development, stakeholder engagement, results-based planning, management and reporting, and established skills in coordinating with senior leaders. Proven track record of engaging National Governments and conducting high-level advocacy and strengthening partnerships through engaging, convening, and coordinating of keypartners and stakeholders, including African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Organization of African First Ladies for Development(OAFLAD), H6, USAID, BMGF, Global Fund, and Buffet Foundation.Extensive network within the academic, civil society and development community.At least 10 publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals or published reports, with at least 5 as the drafting author.

Skills

• Expert and recognized authority in the area of maternal and perinatal health or Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights or health systems strengthening.
• Knowledge of the WHO Policy and Strategy for Sexual and Reproductive Health/Family Planning.
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing policies and strategies.
• Excellent skills and ability to manage diverse teams and financial resources.
• Strong understanding and skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage, build consensus, communicate effectively, and commit to collaborating effectively with other key partners in the health subject area.
• Proven project management and leadership skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Creating an empowering and motivating environment.
   
   

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French with an intermediate knowledge of the other language.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 92,731 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 4003 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

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• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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