Application requirement: 

Specific details will be determined based on the technical assignment for which the candidate is eligible for.

To be registered for future assignments kindly submit your CV and cover letter, as well as three relevant examples of your previous work. 

Background of consultancy:

The 2gether 4 SRHR is a joint United Nations Regional Programme that  brings together the combined efforts of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of all people in Eastern and Southern Africa.

One of the objectives of the programme is to provide timely and quality-assured technical assistance (TA) to continental and regional economic communities, parliamentary fora, participating United Nations agencies, and countries. 

 To achieve this, the Programme developed a regional SRHR Technical Assistance Hub, which is a roster of pre-determined quality-assured technical experts, professional organizations, institutions, and partners working on SRHR in the region.

This call is for technical experts to apply for consideration to be added to the  Technical Assistance Hub. Applicants will be assessed based on each call, relevant qualifications, previous experience and examples of previous work. Once included in the roster you will have preferential access to consulting opportunities to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people in East and Southern Africa. 

Selected candidates will be contracted by one of the four participating UN agencies of 2gether 4 SRHR (UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO) or other partners using their internal policies and procedures. Inclusion in the TA Hub does not constitute a contractual obligation by any participating party. 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence, harmful practices and HIV; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 

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 and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.     

Purpose of consultancy:

The main objective of this call for technical experts is to develop a comprehensive framework and provide strategic guidance on how to effectively strengthen and integrate SRHR into Early Warning Systems (EWS), early and anticipatory actions. The technical expert will be responsible for a range of tasks, including conducting a desk review, developing a conceptual framework, and providing recommendations for implementation.

In a world of increasing fragility and protracted crises, there is a recognition of the critical need to leverage EWS to strengthen preparedness through strategic investments in anticipatory actions.

The increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, conflicts, and other crises disproportionately affect women, girls, and marginalized populations, who often face heightened risks of gender-based violence, unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and complications during childbirth. Existing EWS and disaster risk reduction mechanisms often fail to adequately address the specific SRHR needs of these populations, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. This gap highlights the urgent need to strengthen and mainstream SRHR considerations into all stages of disaster preparedness and response.  

It is in that vein that 2gether 4 SRHR seeks technical experts to support the integration of SRHR into EWS and early, anticipatory actions. 

Specifically, the technical expert will support the integration/enhancement of SRH and gender-based violence into the early warning data collection, analysis, and dissemination; impact forecasting; and early and anticipatory actions.

Scope of work: (Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Selected technical experts will be invited to register for the TA Hub to provide technical assistance to regional institutions and countries in one or more of the following areas: 

• Researchers with experience in undertaking operational and programmatic research relating to EWS, early, and anticipatory actions to generate evidence on successful integration of SRHR into disaster preparedness, including early warning and early action and anticipatory action and response, identify key gaps, opportunities and recommendations to strengthen SRHR within EWS frameworks (guidance, tools, good practices, etc.)
• Policy Specialists experienced in the SRHR and EWS field of work with a focus on supporting countries to develop national frameworks to integrate SRHR into EWS that address the programmatic and policy dimensions, including gender responsive risk assessment, early warning/ forecasting, triggers, SRH/GBV responsive anticipatory actions (activities), pre-arranged funding opportunities (resource mobilisation).
• Programme Specialists with experience in designing  integrated SRHR and EWS interventions, stakeholder mapping and engagement, capacity building and documentation of good practices.
   

Duration and working schedule:

Assignments will be determined based on specific technical assignments identified by the participating UN agencies, countries and other regional partners

Place where services are to be delivered:

Details will be determined based on the specific technical assignments identified by the participating UN agencies, countries and other regional partners. 

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

Details will be determined based on the specific technical assignments identified by the participating UN agencies, countries and other regional partners. 
 

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

Regular check-in meetings.

Supervisory arrangements:

Technical experts will be contracted by the relevant UN agency and/or partner using their identified procurement processes. 

Expected travel:

Travel will be based on the nature of the assignment that the technical expert may be contracted for

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Education: 

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications and experience:

• A master’s degree or higher in Public Health, Gender Studies, International Development, or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Demonstrated expertise in SRHR, gender equality, and humanitarian action.
• Extensive experience of at least 7-10 years in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and anticipatory action.
• Proven experience in conducting desk reviews, policy analysis, and developing strategic frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English is required;knowledge of other languages is an asset.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner

Specific details will be determined based on the technical assignment for which the candidate is eligible for.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

Specific details will be determined based on the technical assignment for which the candidate is eligible for.

To be registered for future assignments kindly submit your CV and cover letter, as well as three relevant examples of your previous work. 

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

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.
 

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.