Individual Consultant Programme Specialist SRHR-ESARO Johannesburg, Johannesburg

Application requirement: 

Specific details will be determined based on the technical assignment for which the candidate is eligible for.

To be registered for future assignments kindly submit your CV and cover letter, as well as three relevant examples of your previous work. 

Background of consultancy:

The 2gether 4 SRHR is a joint United Nations Regional Programme that  brings together the combined efforts of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of all people in Eastern and Southern Africa.

One of the objectives of the programme is to provide timely and quality-assured technical assistance (TA) to continental and regional economic communities, parliamentary fora, participating in United Nations agencies, and countries.

To achieve this, the Programme developed a regional SRHR Technical Assistance Hub, which is a roster of pre-determined quality-assured technical experts, professional organizations, institutions, and partners working on SRHR in the region.

This call is for technical experts to apply for consideration to be added to the  Technical Assistance Hub. Applicants will be assessed based on each call, relevant qualifications, previous experience and examples of previous work. Once included in the roster you will have preferential access to consulting opportunities to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people in East and Southern Africa.

Selected candidates will be contracted by one of the four participating UN agencies of 2gether 4 SRHR (UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO) or other partners using their internal policies and procedures. Inclusion in the TA Hub does not constitute a contractual obligation by any participating party. 

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, harmful practices and HIV; 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 who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and 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:

UNFPA is seeking to appoint a Programme Specialist to coordinate the joint efforts of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, under the 2gether 4 SRHR Programme to strengthen regional and country programming on unintended pregnancies, contraceptives and unsafe abortion and to advance sustainable financing and the integration of SRHR into UHC. Developing and disseminating knowledge products to further advance the evidence on SRHR in the region and contribute towards the development of a TA and knowledge hub on SRHR.

Programme interventions will seek to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights through using a regional approach with applied learning in countries. The regional approach aims to harmonise norms and standards, address legal and policy outcomes that are benchmarked off regional frameworks, promote peer learning amongst countries, and accountability for results. The programme promoted applied learning in countries through the provision of catalytic funding and quality assured technical support that is provided to countries strengthen address legal and policy barriers to SRHR, ensure the delivery of quality integrated comprehensive SRHR services; strengthen data for accountability, addressing gender and social norms and supporting country preparedness and response in humanitarian crisis. 

Scope of work: (Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Regional Coordination and programme management
∙ Convene and participate in global and regional UNFPA and interagency platforms to ensure a coordinated regional response to SRHR with a particular focus on Sustainable Financing for SRHR, and Unintended Pregnancies, Contraceptives and Unsafe Abortion.
∙ Support the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting workplans for the 2gether 4 SRHR Programme.
∙ Provide technical and programmatic support to countries on SRHR, including: monitoring implementation of work plans and budgets, identify and broker quality assured technical assistance, support the documentation of programme implementation, including country and thematic briefs where appropriate. 
∙ Support and provide input into the convening of civil society to ensure a coordinated effort to advance and protect SRHR. 

Knowledge Management
∙ Oversee the design, implementation, monitoring and dissemination of studies, program assessments and knowledge products on SRHR, including case studies,promising practices and human-interest stories with a focus on lessons learnt to strengthen programming.
∙ Provide technical support to countries to develop national SRHR policies, strategies and documentation and dissemination of guidelines.
∙ Support the development and maintenance of the TA Hub through identifying and encouraging relevant regional partners, technical experts and institutions to be added to the TA Hub. 

∙  Support the development and provide inputs into the Knowledge Hub through ensuring that country and regional knowledge products are shared through the Knowledge Hub.

∙ Participate and convene forums to exchange promising and emerging best practices on programme implementation with country offices and stakeholders in the region on Men and Boys and SRHR in Humanitarian Settings.

Advocacy, communication and amplification
∙ Provide strategic input into regional forums convened in partnership with regional economic communities, regional forums of parliamentarians, CSOs to promote and advance SRHR.

∙ Identify, develop, participate and monitor regional advocacy efforts to advance SRHR in the region.
∙ Convene and coordinate advocacy efforts with key regional stakeholders and country offices on issues relating to SRHR.
∙ Collaborate with the communications adviser to provide input into the unit newsletter, social media products and other communication materials to amplify the work of the region.
∙ Develop talking points, key messages and other relevant information materials for senior policy and decision makers.

Duration and working schedule:

This consultancy will be for 11 months and will commence from the signature of the contract and continue till 31 August 2027.

Place where services are to be delivered:

UNFPA ESARO, Sunninghill Place, 9 Simba Road, Sunninghill, Johannesburg

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

The consultant will be based at UNFPA ESARO, Johannesburg, South Africa, butmay work remotely as agreed upon. The consultant will deliver electronic monthly progress reports to show progress and outline the work plan for the coming month.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The consultant will contractually work under the supervision of the Programme Coordinator for the 2gether 4 SRHR at UNFPA.

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will contractually work under the supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator for 2gether 4 SRHR.  

Expected travel:

Travel will be expected within the region in support of regional and country-level activities.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Education: 

An Advanced (Master’s) University Degree in Health Sciences, Social Sciences or Public Health or development studies or related field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in programme/project management and coordination. Minimum of five (5) years of experience working in the areas of SRHR, including
policy formulation, research, and advocacy, with previous experience working on comprehensive abortion care an advantage. Experience in providing technical assistance to countries, including Ministries of Health, on issues relating to SRHR in the East and Southern African region. Demonstrated experience in managing complex programs and large-scale projects. Previous experience with the United Nations and/or an International Institution or Organization is preferred. Familiarity in communicating in a clear and articulated manner, technical and/or complex issues to different types of audiences. Possess excellent interpersonal, negotiating, intercultural communication skills and political acumen. Computer Literacy: Proficiency in the use of standard MS Office packages and Internet. 

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French or Portuguese is desirable.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner

The consultant will be based at UNFPA ESARO in Johannesburg.  

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

Payment Provisions: Payment will be made upon presentation of a monthly report and submission of a completed COP.

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.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.