Programme Specialist Health Systems Strengthening at United Nations Population Fund - UNFPA

Job Purpose

• The Programme Specialist - Health Systems Strengthening will provide strategic technical assistance and programmatic leadership in the areas of health systems strengthening, health policy and health Financing to ensure that the UNFPA Country Offices (COs) in Nigeria is well-equipped to provide evidence-based policy and strategic advice to the Federal and State Ministries of Health and other Development Partners for improving SRH, FP and maternal and newborn health.
• The Programme Specialist - Health Systems Strengthening works closely with other technical and programme staff in the Country Office and the Regional Office/HQ and reports directly to the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Programme Coordinator, under the overall guidance and leadership of the Representative.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Programme Specialist - Health Systems Strengthening is the senior technical specialist for integrated technical and programmatic support on issues pertaining to SRH and health systems strengthening in Nigeria, in the context of the ongoing Health Sector reforms. S/he will:
• Lead the development of strategic and technical guidance on SRH policies, frameworks, evidence-based approaches and operational strategies, in collaboration and coordination with other key internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify strategic actions, high impact practices, and broker and leverage effective partnerships for accelerating progress towards UNFPA’s Transformative Results of
• improving health systems, and by firmly placing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) within national development frameworks and programmes.
• Lead efforts to integrate family planning and contraceptive choices into universal health coverage processes and policies, including integration into both financing and delivery of reproductive health commodities and services into a basic package of care.
• Provide strategic input in development of health systems strengthening and financing related indicators, tools and guidance for evaluations in light of the health sector
• programme of work, targets and indicators.
• Design and adapt the use of health systems and financial tools in the analysis of health and health sector issues, and in the evaluation of likely impact of public policies to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC); and the effectiveness of the health and health related delivery systems especially at the primary and secondary health care levels and in the context of universal health coverage.
• Represent UNFPA in health sector and development coordinating meetings on health systems and financing, elaborate UNFPA’s perspective on SRH and Health systems, and advocate for these issues in policy and technical meetings and fora.
• Support the collaborative relationships of the CO and promote partnership, synergy and strategic alliances with counterparts in government and Federal and State levels, multilateral and bilateral agencies, UN Agencies, civil society organizations as well as community-based organizations to facilitate successful delivery of the programme.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Health Economy, Medicine, Social Sciences, or related field.

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in maternal and newborn health, SRHR and health system strengthening.
• Understanding of areas relevant to UNFPA's mandate such as family planning, contraceptive technology, sexual and reproductive health services, reproductive and/or gender-based violence, population dynamics, gender equality, social protection systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in policy engagement with direct experience working with in-country health systems strengthening or public expenditure management.
• Experience with framing the relationship between health and development, the social and economic determinants of health and the impact of health investments on national economies.
• Strong track record of producing demonstrable results.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with national counterparts, academia, civil society organizations, private sector, and development partners including with UN agencies from the H4+/H6 as well as donors.
• Collaborative and self-motivating.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong technical knowledge of SRH issues, policies, and programs.
• Excellent project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong advocacy, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong training and capacity development skills