SRH Programme Associate, LSC-7, East Jerusalem

How you can make a difference:

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA's work is guided by the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on achieving three transformative results: zero unmet need for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Within the State of Palestine (OPT) Country Office, UNFPA operates in a complex, highly volatile environment where access to quality maternal health and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services remains a significant challenge. Strengthening maternal health systems and empowering the midwifery workforce are pivotal strategic pillars for the OPT Country Office to improve clinical outcomes and protect lives, particularly in underserved and highly affected areas of the country.

To achieve these objectives, UNFPA is implementing a multi-dimensional integrated approach to improve the access to quality SRH services including maternal and newborn health, family planning, and other SRH services in Palestine. The country office is seeking to recruit a Program Associate - SRH to provide key support to UNFPA’s SRH interventions in OPT, including on midwifery components with need assessment, designing of interventions, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. She/ He will contribute to conceptualizing the program, developing workplans, proposals and budgets, coordinating with partners other key stakeholders, monitoring the implementation and tracking deliverables and expenditure, preparing TORs and providing logistical and administrative support. 

Job Responsibilities

Role description

The overall purpose of this post is to provide technical and coordination support to UNFPA’s implementing partners and key stakeholders on overall SRH programming including Midwifery initiatives. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The position is responsible for:

1. Participating in the formulation of the country program and component projects, by compiling and analyzing information relevant to the UNFPA’s role in the country, drafting project documents and work plans, their implementation and M&E; conducting field visits; organizing review meetings and preparing regular inputs to status and progress reports.
2. Supporting the development and implementation of SRH related policies, strategic planning and workforce development with midwifery focus: Assist in conducting a gap analysis to identify critical capacity and SRH workforce gaps including midwifery and support developing strategies and costed plans and their implementation.
3. Supporting strengthening quality standards and regulatory framework for SRH services by contributing to the review of SRH professionals’ scope of practice, services standards and regulatory framework to fully utilize them for improved SRH outcomes.
4. Supporting organizing technical consultations, meetings, training and workshops, document agreed actions and decisions, following up on their implementation.
5. Supporting advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the CO by establishing and maintaining a network of donors and assisting with organizing meetings and public information events, including preparing relevant background material for these events.
6. Assisting in implementing knowledge management strategies to capture lessons learned and best practices, sharing these with management for future planning.

7. Carrying out any other duties and tasks required by the supervisor and UNFPA senior management.

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Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall supervision of the SRH Analyst, the Program Associate will serve as an integral member of UNFPA’s SRH team, contributing to broader SRH programme priorities alongside dedicated midwifery responsibilities. The Associate will work closely with programme and operations staff across the Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Gaza offices.

 S/he will also maintain collaborative relations with external contacts including UNFPA partners, government, CSOs, academia, local vendors, suppliers, and other relevant UN agencies. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in midwifery, Health Policy, or a related healthcare/social science field is highly desirable.
• Alternatively, s Secondary Education (high school or equivalent) is mandatory in combination with an additional three years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the first level university degree.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience is required for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree. For candidates with a Secondary Education, a minimum of seven (7) years of qualifying professional experience is required.

• Strategic Expertise: Demonstrated, successful track record in developing national health strategies, drafting health policies, or formulating clinical/educational standards.
• Contextual Knowledge: Thorough understanding of the State of Palestine (OPT) health system, maternal health structures, and the socioeconomic and political dynamics of the West Bank and Gaza.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven capacity to effectively coordinate and build consensus among government ministries (MoH, MoHE), academic institutions, NGOs, and UN agencies

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Languages: 

• Professional level fluency in both English and Arabic (written and oral) is required. The position holder must possess exceptional report writing and presentation skills in both languages.

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,

Functional Competencies:

• Strong analytical and research capabilities.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including leave days, health insurance and additional remuneration for pensions and social security obligations.

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 engagement of LSC personnel may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance and other administrative requirements. 

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