INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT: Programme Specialist

Purpose of consultancy:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-
2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. In a world where
fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff and consultants, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

The “Transformative Agenda for Women, Adolescents and Youth in the Pacific” supports the improved realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for women, adolescents
and youth across the Pacific. The programme, managed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific Sub-Regional Office (PSRO), invests in six priority countries: Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa,
Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The primary objective is to reduce unmet need for family planning from 2018-2023, drawing on an AUD $30 million investment. The programme is also moving
into a design phase for a 4 year extension (2023- 2027).

Three synergistic programme outcomes are: 1) the increased and improved supply of integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services, particularly for family planning; 2) the
increased demand for integrated SRH information and services, particularly for family planning; and 3) a more conducive and supportive environment for people to access and benefit from quality SRH,
especially contraceptive choice.

UNFPA seeks two International Programme Specialist consultants to be based in the UNFPA Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, Fiji and travel extensively to three Pacific countries each to support
national programm implementation, coordination and capacity building. The consultants are expected to transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results.
She/he/they will support the implementation of interventions funded through the Transformative Agenda programme through technical capacity building and project management support to three
Pacific countries working closely with country teams, national and implementing partners (i.e.Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth, International Planned Parenthood
Member Associations), and regional technical partners (i.e international NGOs and research institutes)

The successful candidate will work at the regional and national level to ensure that the agreed strategic interventions are implemented in the context of the 2030 SDG Agenda, ICPD Programme of
Action and UNFPA Strategic Plan at the global level, the UN Pacific Strategy, UNFPA sub-regional programme at the regional level, and the National Sustainable Development Plan, in addition to
national policies and strategies.

The consultant will report to the International Programme Coordinator based in Suva ad work closely with country teams and implementing partners and liaising closely with other programme
management staff, as well as the technical advisors at the UNFPA Pacific Sub- regional Office, and aacross other UN agencies in the Pacific.

Scope of work:
Both consultants will be based in Suva, Fiji and will travel extensively to support programme implementation in 3 selected Pacific countries.

The following are required tasks within the consultancy services to be provided. Flexibility towards adapting these activities to meet the COVID-19 scenario and restrictions is required.

The International Programme Specialist will manage relevant programme components and support implementation of country programmes working together with country teams and implementing partners and liaising closely with other programme management staff, as well as the
technical advisors at the UNFPA Pacific Sub-regional Office, and across other UN agencies in the Pacific.

She/he/they will work to ensure cohesion and build capacity for the delivery of the various funded programmes,at the national level in 3 Pacific countries, towards achieving UNFPA’s mandate, and
delivering donor funded programmes.

All programme management and capacity building will necessarily be in alignment with National Plans Policies/Strategies, UNFPA’s Sub-Regional Programme for the Pacific, and donor funded programmes
to create an environment conducive to empowering women and men, particularly young women and men and marginalized groups, to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and
protect their sexual and reproductive rights.

The primary role of the International Programme Specialist is:
- Regional programme management and coordination and capacity building of incountry implementation towards results.

You would be responsible for:
A. Programme Development, Implementation and Management
• Coordinate the planning, design, implementation and management of regional programmes being rolled out at the national level, and ensure compliance with programming and operational
policies, procedures, guidelines and tools that meet country level needs while conforming to overall UNFPA and Regional strategies, policies and guidelines; 
• Act as focal point for the planning and delivery of integrated programme and technical support to the country programmes, ensuring complementarity between the various
regional programmes and the needs, realities and activities at the country level;
• Provide budget oversight of the country programmes, ensuring data integrity to support the team’s financial decision making, and serve as focal person for country programme officers regarding
budget targets and management;
• Provide guidance and support in the areas of advocacy, resource allocation, resource mobilization, administrative matters and operational aspects of programme management; and
• Ensure compliance with agreed donor requirements, and lead formulation and submission of reporting requirements.
B. Capacity Development
• Coordinate the development and support the implementation of a capacity development strategy to strengthen overall capacities in 3 countries;
• Provide guidance for capacity building for technical and programme support; and synergy between regional programme and other activities at the country level;
• Coordinate with other UN agencies in the provision of technical and programme assistance in 3 countries and capacity development initiatives; and
• Provide capacity development support to staff in the priority countries, and to other junior
professional staff, associates and consultants.
C. Partnership and Advocacy
• Strengthen relationships with key internal and external partners, and contribute to high quality interactions and clear communications with regional and national donors, partners and
stakeholders;
• Draft briefing notes, statements, talking points and correspondence, and prepare background papers and presentation content with regards to the UNFPA Sub-Regional Programme; and
• Assist in advocacy and policy dialogue to further the advancement of ICPD through sub- regional policies and programming frameworks.
Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Duration and working schedule:
The total duration of the contract will be from September 1, 2022-June 30, 2023 based on a full time basis.

Place where services are to be delivered:
Based in Suva, Fiji with regular travel to 3 Pacific countries, which will be approximately 50% of the time. Note: Travel may be disrupted due to COVID-19.

Expected travel:
The consultant will be expected to travel extensively to 3 Pacific countries to support implementation, capacity building and monitoring activities. Travel costs will be covered by UNFPA.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Education:
Masters degree in Public Health, Medicine, Sociology, Demography, Gender, Economics, International Relations, International Development, Public Administration, Management or related
disciplines.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least seven years of increasingly responsible professional experience in programme management and development relevant to population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender, including five years at the international level;
• Substantive knowledge and practical experience in population and development, sexual and reproductive health, and gender;
• Experience in programme and/or technical assistance with the UN System;
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail, deadlines and policy compliance;
• Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated, diverse team and be comfortable in multiple, high varied settings, and tight deadlines with different work and learning styles;
• Proficient in MS Office programmes;
• Familiarity of the Pacific context is an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Pacific languages is an asset.

Conditions & Remuneration:
UNFPA PSRO will contract the successful candidate under an individual contract and will be responsible for the payment of fees payable according to qualification and standard terms of payment and subject to satisfactory completion of assigned outputs. Payment will be made on completion of a monthly report.

Candidates must complete a United Nations Personal History (P.11) form, together with updated Curriculum Vitae and a Cover letter. Applications without completed P.11 form will not be considered. The P.11 form as well as a complete Terms of Reference can be downloaded from the office web site https://pacific.unfpa.org/en or a copy be obtained by sending an email to vacanciespsro@unfpa.org.

Completed applications can be emailed to vacanciespsro@unfpa.org before midnight on Monday, 22nd August 2022.

Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of disabilities, HIV/AIDS and gender. UNFPA does not condone sexual exploitation and abuse.