Programme Specialist, SRH &RR

Organizational Context

The Programme Specialist, SRH &RR, based in Asmara, Eritrea, plays a crucial role within UNFPA's country office. This position contributes to achieving universal access to comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights (SRH&RR) by supporting national efforts. The role involves coordinating and managing integrated SRH&RR programs, focusing on strengthening Eritrea’s primary health care delivery systems and aligning with national priorities and UNFPA’s mandate.

Job Purpose

The Programme Specialist, SRH &RR, is responsible for leading the coordination and management of comprehensive integrated programs focused on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. This includes maternal health, family planning, HIV prevention, and addressing harmful practices affecting women and girls. The role supports national initiatives to achieve universal access to SRH&RR by promoting policy, financing, programmatic, and accountability commitments. The Specialist oversees the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of UNFPA's SRH&RR programs and projects, with a specific focus on enhancing Eritrea’s primary health care systems. Additionally, the position provides technical support for joint programming with other UN agencies and leads the SRH&RR program team, ensuring efficient resource utilization.

Responsibilities

The Programme Specialist oversees the formulation, design, and delivery of country programs and projects on SRH&RR in collaboration with government counterparts, UN agencies, and other partners, ensuring alignment with national priorities, the UNSDCF, and UNFPA's Country Programme Development. This involves monitoring program results through appropriate mechanisms and assessing the political, social, and economic environment to identify opportunities for UNFPA intervention. The role includes overseeing project implementation, establishing partnerships with executing agencies, experts, and government counterparts for timely delivery. Key activities involve advancing policy dialogue, supporting national capacity development for implementing partners, leading advocacy, partnerships, and resource mobilization efforts, and managing program teams. The Specialist also contributes to strategic communication, resource mobilization by preparing briefs and proposals, and represents UNFPA in inter-agency meetings and technical committees to promote SRH&RR integration. Furthermore, the role involves providing substantive leadership in program design, advising on results achievement, managing resources effectively, and documenting best practices.

Work Experience

Requires at least five years of progressive professional experience in development and population activities, with a strong background in program/project management. Demonstrable technical expertise in SRHR, including GBV and harmful practices, is essential. Proven experience in results-based management, team coordination, strategic communication, proposal writing, resource mobilization, and networking with government, NGOs, and UN agencies is required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and web-based applications is also necessary.

Skills

Core competencies include achieving results, accountability, developing professional expertise, analytical and strategic thinking, teamwork, and effective communication. Managerial competencies involve providing strategic focus, engaging partners, developing people, and making sound decisions. Functional skills include advocacy, advancing policy agendas, building strategic alliances, delivering results-based programs, and internal/external communication for resource mobilization.

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