Job description
Local Consultancy: Strategic Coordination Consultant: Sexual and Reproductive Justice (SRJ), South Africa Pretoria
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results
Purpose of consultancy:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the leading UN agency dedicated to sexual and reproductive health and rights. UNFPA strives to create a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
A key component of UNFPA’s program in South Africa is to strengthen knowledge and coordination on sexual and reproductive health and rights. This includes supporting implementation of government strategies, building and convening networks and partnerships, and championing evidence-based knowledge, research and data. To accelerate this ambition, the South Africa Country Office seeks to support the implementation of the national Sexual and Reproductive Justice (SRJ) Strategy. In line with the strategy, the office also seeks to establish an information and knowledge hub/repository on SRHR and SRJ.
Approved in early 2026, South Africa’s Sexual and Reproductive Justice Strategy is a pioneering, government-led initiative focused on bodily autonomy and rights-based healthcare for all, particularly women, youth, and vulnerable groups. Developed through extensive national consultation, the strategy aims to improve socio-economic, health, structural, institutional and political conditions that enable people, particularly women, to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights. It recognises that reproductive justice is shaped by broader social, political and economic inequalities that often limit access to care and services. Recognising these intersections, the National Population Unit, within the Department of Social Development (DSD), led a wide-reaching process to mainstream sexual and reproductive justice across government and among stakeholders.
The SRHR/SRJ knowledge hub is being established to address the gap in a centralized, accessible repository for evidence-based SRHR/SRJ data specific to South Africa. The hub will consolidate, organize, and synthesize existing SRHR/SRJ data and information to inform decision-making, policy, advocacy, and programmatic interventions. The vision for the hub is to be South Africa's leading, sustainable, and accessible hub for evidence-based SRHR/SRJ knowledge. The mission is to empower stakeholders with evidence-based insights to drive policy, advocacy, programmatic decisions, and collaboration and coordination among each other.
Based on this, the consultancy aims to strengthen national coordination, accelerate implementation of SRHR/SRJ priorities, and institutionalise the use of evidence and data in decision-making.
Scope of work:
1. Provide technical and operational support to the Department of Social Development in the planning and execution of the National Sexual and Reproductive Justice Strategy:
- a. Maintain regular alignment touchpoints with DSD (e.g., monthly strategic check-ins).
- b. Provide line-by-line input to the SRJ implementation plan, indicating how and where UNFPA can support.
- c. Attend technical committee meetings and other working group meetings as requested by DSD. Consolidate minutes and take actions forward.
- d. Support DSD in completing an assessment of key sector departments and partners alignment of existing work with SRJ.
2. Co-develop and co-convene a ‘SRJ Webinar Series’ together with partners, positioning DSD, UNFPA and SRJ priorities at the forefront of policy dialogue and knowledge exchange.
3. Lead the establishment of the SRHR/SRJ knowledge hub:
- a. Conduct a targeted stakeholder prioritization to ensure the right mix of influence, expertise, and sector representation.
- b. Lead focused outreach to confirm participation, roles, and expectations.
- c. Design and formalize a governance structure (e.g., steering committee, technical working groups, advisory group) with clear roles and decision-making processes.
- d. Develop a Programme Charter that aligns stakeholders on vision, priorities, and success measures.
- e. Establish a clear meeting cadence (e.g., monthly strategic, biweekly technical).
- f. Revise and update the existing implementation plan and budget as needed.
- g. Create a shared coordination space for documents, updates, and decisions.
4. Clean and organize the existing UNFPA stakeholder database into a usable coordination tool.
Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):
Deliverables
1. Technical and operational support to DSD in implementing SRJ Strategy;
a) SRJ Technical Assistance Plan outlining UNFPA’s support. (Date: 30 July 2026. Amount 15%)
b) Implementation Progress Report (based on ongoing support between Jun-Dec). (Date: 15 December 2026. Amount: 20%)
2. SRJ Webinar Series
a) Strategic note on UNFPA / DSD participation.
b) Multimedia pack including links to recorded sessions, presentations and materials, as well as a summary of key policy dialogues and recommendations for future actions. ( Date: 30 September 2026. Amount 20%)
3. SRHR/SRJ Knowledge Hub (Date: 30 August 2026. Amount 30%)
a) Stakeholder participation matrix: A confirmed list of partners with clearly defined roles.
b) Governance framework: A formalized document outlining the governance structure (e.g., steering committee, technical working groups, advisory group), clear decision-making processes, and an established meeting cadence.
c) Programme charter: A charter that aligns all participating stakeholders on the hub’s vision, priorities, and success measures, including an implementation plan and budget.
d) Shared digital coordination repository for documents, updates and decisions.
4. UNFPA stakeholder database
a) Functional Stakeholder Database: A cleaned and organized database, building on the existing UNFPA SRHR stakeholder database, transitioned into a usable coordination tool for UNFPA and DSD. (Date: 30 September 2026. Amount 15%)
Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:
Bi-weekly or monthly check-ins with the supervisor to provide updates on progress and on any potential challenges.
Supervisory arrangements:
The consultant will work closely with the National Population Unit at the Department of Social Development, under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Assistant Representative/Head of Programmes.
Expected travel:
Domestic, as required.
Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
● An advanced degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Public Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Demography, or a closely related field.
● A minimum of 7 years of progressive professional experience in program management, policy development, or strategic implementation within the public health, human rights, or social development sectors.
● Demonstrated technical knowledge and deep understanding of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), with specific familiarity with the Sexual and Reproductive Justice (SRJ) framework and its application in South Africa.
● Proven track record of working with, coordinating, and managing relationships between high-level government stakeholders (specifically the Department of Social Development), UN agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and academic/research institutions.
● Experience in leading or establishing knowledge management systems, information repositories, or digital hubs, including formulating governance frameworks and operational charters.
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,
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 the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.