Fast Track Procedure: SRH Commodity Specialist – P3  

The Position:

The SRH Commodity Specialist reports directly to the Deputy Representative of UNFPA Ethiopia. You will respond to country needs, and within the broader context of SRH system, strengthen and manage financing for the promotion, design, monitoring and evaluation of all phases of equitable Reproductive Health (RH) commodity and family planning (FP) availability throughout all sectors (public, private, non-profit, subsidized and commercial), as well as supply management system, guidelines and standards. You will coordinate the RH supplies quantification, planning, distribution, and commodity reporting processes required by donors and stakeholders. You will also oversee and manage the national FP programme. Your role as SRH Commodity Specialist is vital to enhancing the national capacity to strengthen FP and Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) in the country.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the leading United Nations (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 strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and, end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better” while addressing the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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; we need staff who are transparent, and exceptional in managing the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

You have the overall responsibility for leadership, normative and programmatic guidance of the UNFPA’s FP strategy, acceleration plan and National FP strategies/commitments. Working within a large and complex Country Office (CO) environment, including interventions related to Humanitarian Response, you will coordinate the effective management of the UNFPA programme in the areas of FP and RHCS. You will provide oversight for the management of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, for the effective and efficient implementation of the programme and for the delivery of its objectives: availability and choice, strengthened supply chains and Last Mile Assurance (LMA), increased government commitment, and operational effectiveness and efficiency. Through substantive analysis and assessment of political, social and economic trends, you will contribute to project formulation and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and national development frameworks. You will monitor results achieved during implementation, guiding the appropriate application of systems and procedures, and developing enhancements as required.

You will be responsible to:

• Identify and provide advice on UNFPA’s comparative and substantive role on family planning and contraceptive and fertility choices and specific contribution in the changing development agenda.
• Provide oversight for ensuring all aspects of FP/RHCS programme management are delivered to a high standard.
• Ensure overall coordination of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership with a view to maximizing the programme’s efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinate the RH supplies quantification, planning, distribution, and commodity reporting processes required by donors and stakeholders.
• Coordinate the Country Office’s Family Planning Program, the procurement of contraceptives and live-saving maternal health medicines and ensure Last Mile assurance of commodities.
• Coordinate and provide support in the system strengthening effort in the areas of family planning and commodity security at the national and sub-national levels.
• Establish and maintain a harmonious working environment; lead the team through the process of change management; promote communication; encourage innovations; strengthen team building through active participation and interaction at all levels; and foster staff engagement, development and empowerment; promote an ethics-based approach in the Partnership towards the management of human and financial resources.
• Coordinate in Completion and Quality Assurance: Oversee the finalization and quality assurance of the yearly supply chain overview report. Ensure that the data is accurate, comprehensive, and effectively disseminated to relevant stakeholders.
• Lead Quarterly Stock Review: Manage the process of compiling the Quarterly Stock Review report by the IPs. Perform thorough data quality checks before submitting the report to the Last Mile Assurance (LMA) team and coordinate the dissemination of findings to the Implementing Partners (IPs).
• Lead LMA In-Country Assessments: Support in the organization, planning, execution, and reporting for LMA in-country assessments. Ensure that these activities are well-coordinated and effectively implemented.
• Provide technical and operational support for the national roll-out and scale-up of Last Mile Assurance processes.
• Provide leadership to ensure the institutionalization of a sustainable national FP/RH commodity supply and logistics management system.
• Provide technical support to developing and formulating national policy and action plans in RHCS.
• Provide overall guidance required to strengthen and build national capacity in using management information systems to forecast contraceptives for the nation in general and the public sector in particular.
• Guide in formulating and institutionalizing a competitive and transparent contraceptive procurement system and plan.
• Provide strategic national technical guidance in developing a computerized functional management information system for the overall management of FP/RH commodities in the Country.
• Provide evidence-based information for advocacy of contraceptive supplies and logistics management in the context of RHCS.
• Provide technical oversight for the development and implementation of a monitoring and supervision plan for the RHCS in Ethiopia.
• Facilitate effective partnerships for collaboration and dialogue on RHCS among donors, civil society organizations and government.
• Collaborate with the Ministry of Health (MOH), UN agencies, Partners academia, research and training institutions, professional societies, and act as focal points for inter-agency working groups in the substantive area. Lead and attend national coordination meetings on FP/RHCS.
• Mentor/support SRHR staff at the regional level to conduct routine monitoring and supportive supervision of the Contraceptive Logistics Management System.
• Provide technical support for the UNFPA FP Compact and the multi-donor compact implementation to ensure a sustainable financing mechanism.
• Scan the environment and Coordinate the development of proposals to mobilize resources of FP/RHCS.
• Document and share lessons learned by the FP Programme including UNFPA Supplies Partnership.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the UNFPA Representative or Deputy Representative.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:

Advanced university degree in public health, medicine, pharmacy, population, demography, logistics management, supply chain management, economics, business, or other related fields.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Five (5) years of increasing responsibilities in managing RH or FP programmes with direct experience relating to supply management systems, of which at least three years national and/or international experience in advising on RH commodities, health systems and supply management.
• Extensive knowledge of supply management: forecasting, warehousing, distribution, transportation and logistics information systems.
• General knowledge of the principles and operational aspects of integrated SRH information and services. Familiarity with UN development Programmes and working procedures, especially UNFPA policies and programming procedures, is an asset.
• Have good knowledge of global and regional FP/RHCS initiatives and commitments.
• Possess good technical in drafting, report/proposal writing, and presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience working with government institutions and donor organizations.
• Have a strong capability to communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written English.
• Have the ability to work under pressure.
• Have proficiency in Microsoft office and Google Workplace tools/ software/ applications.

Languages: 

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, an added advantage.

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,
• Communicating for impact 

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results-based programmes
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus,
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
• Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits: 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary, health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

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. 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: https://www.unfpa.org/diversity-equity-inclusion 

Disclaimer: 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm. 

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.  

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