Programme Analyst, Midwifery

The Position:

The Programme Analyst, Midwifery position is located in the Country Office of UNFPA in Juba and works primarily with the Midwifery team in achieving its mandate and that of the work of the Integrated Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (ISRHR) Unit.

S/he is responsible for translating and contributing to the delivery of the Country Office programme targets related to midwifery. The post holder will contribute to the translation, implementation, coordination and monitoring of midwifery programme activities in both humanitarian and development settings. The Programme Analyst, Midwifery will undertake advocacy, provide guidance, and technical support to the country, Ministry responsible for Health, local development partners and implementing partners to ensure optimal programme implementation, effective use of resources, quality tracking of results, adequate coordination, advocacy for policy change and clear communication of UNFPA mandate, work and results in the area of midwifery across humanitarian and development settings.

The post holder will be based in Juba, reports to the Programme Specialist, Midwifery and maintains collaborative relationships with all team members in the ISRHR Unit and the CO.

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 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 ICPD and 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 reproductive rights, 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 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:

Given the poor maternal and newborn health indicators in the country, this position is critical for the CO and will provide support for the MoH in the area of midwifery. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, Midwifery, the Programme Analyst will provide technical advice and ensure appropriate support for the implementation of midwifery interventions in UNFPA and the MoH. The post holder will support capacity building for MoH for improved results based management for MNCH and contribute to the stated aim of achieving skilled attendance at every birth in the country. S/he will support the identification of new and emerging needs and new delivery modalities for MNH/midwifery interventions and strengthening advocacy, partnership and innovation that contributes to evidence-based policy dialogues. The post holder will further provide technical assistance and support the establishment and functionality of a national Preceptorship programme to inform a comprehensive approach to academic preparation of midwifery students as well as strengthening the capacity of faculty to educate students in line with the ICM standards.

S/he will work to keep UNFPA’s goals on Midwifery in South Sudan high on the agenda of National, State(s) and Local/Country Government/s and of the Local Development Partners; while optimizing the allocation of resources, creating synergies, influencing policies and improving consistency and effectiveness of UNFPA’s work in the area.

You would be responsible for:

A. General Programming

In collaboration with Government counterparts, CST advisers, NGOs and other partners contribute to the formulation and design of the country programme and its AWPs in line with Government priorities and according to UNFPA programme policies and procedures. Ensure quality of programme/project design incorporating lessons learned, newly developed policies and best practices and establishing appropriate execution and monitoring mechanisms and systems.
Contribute to analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to United Nations programming processes (Common Country Assessment [CCA], United Nations Development Assistance Framework [UNDAF], Country Programme Development [CPD], Country Programme Action Plan [CPAP]) as they relate to Midwifery;
Analyze and report on the Midwifery programme and project progress in terms of achieving results, using existing monitoring and evaluation tools and introducing new mechanisms and systems; identify constraints and resource deficiencies and recommend corrective action. Monitor projects expenditures and disbursements to ensure delivery is in line with approved project budgets and to realize targeted delivery levels.
Expedite and coordinate project implementation establishing collaborative relationships with executing agencies, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies facilitating timely and efficient delivery of project inputs and addressing training needs of project personnel.
Help create and document knowledge about current and emerging trends and issues on Midwifery, by analyzing 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.

B. Technical Expertise/Management

Analyze and interpret the political, social and economic environment relevant to SRH, Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) and identify opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention. Keep abreast with new policy developments and strategies by analyzing policy papers, strategy documents, national plans and development frameworks and prepares briefs and inputs for policy dialogue, technical assistance coordination and development frameworks.
Participate in relevant national and sub-national fora, enhancing UNFPA mandate on Midwifery, SRH and MNH.
Ensure increased availability and use of technical information to improve data collection, analysis, and use; with special attention to recent developments in analysis of data from censuses, surveys, statistics, etc.
Create substantive knowledge of Midwifery issues in the country, assesses technical assistance needs in these areas and advise on the suitability of programmes and related interventions to meet these needs.
Support capacity development activities and initiatives towards the professionalization of Midwifery in South Sudan.
Contribute to strengthening of advocacy for Midwifery and MNH in general and family planning in particular;
Contribute to development of appropriate Midwifery and MNH communication strategies and corresponding materials
Advise the ISRHR team in order to ensure that the specific needs of Midwifery and MNH are fully addressed in CO programming.

C. Advocacy and Resource Mobilization and Funds Management

Assist advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of Country Office by preparing relevant documentation (i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events).
Develop factsheets, briefing materials, info graphics, and presentations for public information, advocacy and resource mobilization purposes.
Prepare relevant proposals with Midwifery and MNH components and share information about UNFPA tools for co-financing and funding.
Build strong technical and programme multi-sectoral partnerships for advocacy for Midwifery and MNH within the broader SRHR agenda through national institutions, networks, alliances and coalitions. Monitor and keep updates on existing and potential partnerships. Follow through and ensure that recommendations and action points agreed to are addressed.
Prepare and manage relevant budgets; Monitor expenditures to ensure delivery is in line with approved budgets and to realize targeted delivery levels and deliver timely and accurate reporting of financial information.
Manage assets that have been procured by the UNFPA and supplied to the implementing partners; ensuring that they are put to proper use.
Represent UNFPA at key events where required, with regard to UNFPA’s mandate.

D. General Support

Stand-in for other Programme team members on selected functions as may be required.
Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

Education:

Masters Degree in health, population, demography, development, gender, supply chain and logistics, law and/or other related social science field.

Knowledge and Experience:

At least 2 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of development and population activities;
Work experience in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health is preferred.
Training/Experience in Midwifery Education or Policy/Regulatory Environment
Specialized knowledge and experience in Midwifery is desired;
Experience in programme/ project management including experience in large multi-sector programmes;
Experience working with the Ministry of Health and Local Government is desirable.
Field experience is an asset;
Prior experience in the UN system is an asset
A thorough understanding of the UN system in general, and especially UNFPA mandate, its policies and operations and current development topics and political issues in South Sudan will be an added advantage
Demonstrated ability to work in a team

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an added advantage. Working knowledge of another UN Official Language, an asset.

Required Competencies:

Values:

Exemplifying integrity.
Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system.
Embracing cultural diversity.
Embracing change.

Core Competencies:

Achieve 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 Skill Set:

Training and Experience in Midwifery
Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation
Delivering results-based programmes
Technical Understanding of the areas of work
Project Management
Managing financial processes
Proficiency in current office software applications

Compensation and Benefits:

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