Spécialiste en Approche Communautaire
Organizational Context
The UNFPA is the UN agency dedicated to sexual and reproductive health, aiming for a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. In Mali, community health relies heavily on local health centers (CSCOMs) managed by community health associations (ASACOs) and community relays. Despite efforts, community participation in health management remains limited, impacting the effectiveness of interventions for maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence prevention.
Job Purpose
The National UN Volunteer Specialist in Community Approach and Reproductive Health will support UNFPA's strategy to strengthen community-based health interventions in Mali. The role involves coaching and building the capacity of community health actors, particularly ASACOs, to enhance their engagement in local health governance and service delivery. This includes improving their management skills, financial resource mobilization, and participation in reproductive health initiatives, such as obstetric emergency referral systems and gynecological cancer prevention. The ultimate goal is to increase community ownership, improve health outcomes, and ensure the sustainability of reproductive health programs.
Responsibilities
The UN Volunteer will develop a community strategy document for the Country Programme Document (CPD9). Key responsibilities include strengthening the managerial and operational capacities of community health actors (ASACOs, local groups) to improve their participation in health interventions. The volunteer will assist in enhancing the 'Community Actor Coaching' approach and community dialogue to support the obstetric emergency referral and evacuation system. This involves assessing ASACO functionality, coordinating with partners, developing personalized coaching plans for referral mechanisms, and strengthening ASACO involvement in early detection of gynecological cancers. The role also includes supporting the establishment of strong links between community actors and health centers, developing tools for community resilience, and proposing strategies to enhance leadership for resource mobilization for emergency obstetric care.
Work Experience
Requires 3 years of professional experience in community development, health system strengthening, or facilitation, preferably in rural settings. Experience in training or coaching grassroots organizations (ASACOs, management committees, local NGOs) is essential. Familiarity with reproductive health, obstetric emergencies, and female cancer prevention is required. At least 2 years of experience in community evaluations and qualitative research analysis is also needed. Proficiency in French is required, and knowledge of local languages is a strong asset.
Skills
Key competencies include responsibility, adaptability, flexibility, creativity, judgment, decision-making, planning, organization, professionalism, and self-management. Experience with UN software applications (Excel, Word, PPT) is necessary. A strong understanding of the social, economic, political, and cultural context of Mali, particularly in reproductive health, is beneficial. Experience with the UN system is an asset.