Maternal Health/Family Planning Analyst at United Nations Population Fund - UNFPA

Job ID: 23152
Location: Lagos, Nigeria Country Office  -  SB4
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Contract type: Service Contract
Duration: One year (Renewable based on availability of funds and satisfactory performance).

The Position

• The Organization is strengthening the delivery of supported programmes and its support to its partners in the states where it works to achieve results in an efficient manner. To strengthen this process, and for UNFPA to keep its leadership role in the area of Family Planning, Maternal and Reproductive Health including Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH), at the sub-national levels, the country office is looking for a Programme Analyst - Maternal Health/Family Planning (MH/FP) for its Lagos Liaison Office.
• The Program Analyst (MH/FP) position will be based in the Lagos Liaison Office and would report to the Programme Specialist (RH) and Head of the LLO.

How you can make a difference:

• 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 (2018-2021), 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, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
• UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results. 

Job Purpose

• The Program Analyst (MH/FP) provides technical support for Family Planning and Maternal Health across the full range of the work of the LLO.
• S/he analyses and assesses relevant political, social and economic trends and provides substantive inputs to project formulation, monitoring and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and State development frameworks. The Program Analyst guides and facilitates the delivery of UNFPA’s programmes by supporting the delivery and monitoring of results achieved during implementation.
• S/he guides the development of methodologies as well as capacity development in FP/MH to ensure relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, and impact of the work of UNFPA. S/he works in close collaboration with the Country Office to ensure compliance with technical norms in line with international best practices and the rules and regulations of the United Nations.
• S/he supports the States and other Implementing Partners to build capacity in Family Planning and Maternal Health at all levels of the health systems within the states.

Main Tasks & Responsibilities
You would be responsible for:

• In collaboration with State Government counterparts, NGOs and other partners, contributes substantively to the formulation and design of the country programme and its component projects in line with State Government priorities and according to UNFPA programme policies and procedures. Ensures quality of Maternal Health and Family Planning programme / project design incorporating lessons learned, newly developed policies and best practices and establishing appropriate execution mechanisms.
• Analyzes and interprets the political, social and economic environment relevant to population and development, reproductive health and gender, and identifies opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention. Keeps abreast of new policy developments and strategies analyzing policy papers, strategy documents, State plans and development frameworks, and prepares briefs and inputs for policy dialogue, technical assistance coordination, and development frameworks especially in the areas of Maternal health and Family Planning.
• Strengthens the implementation and  monitoring of Maternal Health and Family Planning programmes by establishing collaborative relationships with executing agencies, experts, State government counterparts and other UN agencies facilitating timely and efficient monitoring of project inputs and addressing training needs of project personnel.
• Help create and document knowledge about current and emerging issues and trends in Maternal Health, Family Planning and Reproductive Health Commodity Security by analyzing related programmes, projects, strategies, approaches and ongoing experience for lessons learned, best practices, and shares with management for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies.
• Assists advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the Country Office by preparing relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events with focus on Maternal Health and Family Planning.
• Support the LLO to ensure the scale up of the Family Planning and Maternal Health Programs especially with regards to strengthening systems at the state level for service delivery and demand creation.
• Provide technical support in collaboration with staff at the LLO and the Country Office on efforts at the sub-national level to analyze Maternal Health and Family Planning commodity systems to assure availability of family planning commodities and other life-saving maternal commodities and medicines.
• Support the strengthening of the health commodity logistics systems in line with priorities defined in the State and national Health Strategy document, and in line with national and international protocols and guidelines including but not limited to the National Reproductive Health Commodity Security Strategic Plan.
• In collaboration with other technical staff and government and NGO partners, provide support to national and state initiatives e.g. MSS, Volunteer Obstetrician scheme, Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response Scheme etc aimed at improving Maternal Health and Family Planning services to the populace.
• Work with other technical colleagues to support advocacy efforts on Maternal Health and Family Planning in collaboration with partners in order to facilitate the adoption of an integrated approach to SRH and holistic quality reproductive health service delivery to targeted beneficiaries.
• Actively participate in the development and updating of guidelines, standards, tools, manuals and approaches as required in the field of Maternal Health and Family Planning;
• Provide technical and programmatic support for Maternal Health and family planning related research, and identify, document, and disseminate lessons learned and best practices in these program areas.
• In conjunction with other technical staff at the LLO, provide support and guidance to Implementing Partners on program planning, implementation and monitoring of activities including state level planning and reviews of AWP activities
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports on program implementation and financial status and provide technical support to IPs in the preparation of their Annual Work Plans (AWPs) for all the states and Partners supported by the LLO
• Provide partners with the technical backstopping, assistance and advice on the strategic direction for strengthening the delivery, access to and quality of maternal health and family planning services.
• Provide technical updates, training and mentoring for partners in relevant clinical and technical areas related to family planning and maternal health
• Conduct regular technical supportive supervisory and monitoring visits to project sites and locations of IPs in collaboration with other UNFPA staff and Partners to improve the quality of programming and service delivery
• The position would also perform any other duties and responsibilities assigned by the UNFPA Resident Representative and the Head of Lagos Liaison Office.

Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Master's degree in Public Health, Reproductive Health, OBGYN, Community Medicine,  or other related subject; Specific qualification in Midwifery and Family Planning is an added advantage

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience working in Maternal Health and Family Planning programmes in Nigeria is required
• Familiarity with national and sub-national initiatives to scale up and improve maternal health and family planning programs is required
• Demonstrated experience in strategic programme management with strong technical knowledge of maternal health, family planning, and reproductive health in general
• Proficiency in current Microsoft Office software applications and databases for health logistics management is desired,
• Experience working with Government, International NGOs and the Civil Society in the area of maternal health and family planning would be an added advantage
• Knowledge of UN rules and regulations on operations (finance, administrative, HR, procurement) is an advantage;
• Excellent organizational skills coupled with an ability to reach consensus;
• Leverage to work with government officials and ability to maintain neutrality and impartiality among all stakeholders

Languages:

• Fluency in English required.  Strong capability to communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written English will be an asset.

Required Competencies
Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing diversity in all its forms
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Commitment to UNFPA Values and Guiding Principles;
• Developing People/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment/Performance Management;
• Team Work/Communication/Self-Management
• Strategic Thinking/Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making;
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to lead, develop and motivate a diverse team of specialists
• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Results-based programme development and management
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches
• Resource mobilization (Programme)
• Job knowledge

UNFPA Work Environment:

• UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.

Compensation and Benefits

• This position offers an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the post.  
• The package includes a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.