The Position:

The Programme Specialist post is located in Dodoma, Tanzania; under the guidance of the UNFPA Deputy Representative and the direct supervision of the UNFPA Assistant Representative who provides overall strategic direction. S/He is the Programme Specialist for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, including HIV both in the context of development and humanitarian; and will join a UNFPA team working in support of the Country Office Programme (2016/17 – 2021/22) in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.  The Programme Specialist works in an integrated, coordinated, and rights-based manner which is fundamental to UNFPA’s overall strategy; with the aim to enhance the capacity of the Country Program to deliver results.

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 (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 Programme Specialist provides strategic support and guidance as part of a broader team in advancing key UNFPA interventions encompassing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV; Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, including Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence; Population and Development; and Adolescent and Youth Empowerment both in the context of Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar with Humanitarian interventions spanning all areas. All of which is under the umbrella and guidance of UNFPA’s Tanzania Country Programme (2016-2022); and the United Nations Development Assistance Plan II (2016-2022).

You would be responsible for:

• Promoting a comprehensive life-cycle approach to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, including in HIV;
• Supporting the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to achieve policy commitments and domestic financing for long-term sustainability in support of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, including HIV;
• Influence and coordinate with other partners, including UN Agencies; Development Partners; Civil Society Organizations and other Partners such as the Private Sector to maximize collective results and impact of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights;
• Provide close, on the ground, follow-up and analysis of Implementing Partners’ effectiveness and impact;
• Build on the national commitments made at the ICPD25 Nairobi Summit at country level and influence national planning and policy making.

A. Strategic Technical Support

• Represent UNFPA in national efforts to develop, monitor and implement policies, plans, and strategies for the realization of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights, including the prevention of new HIV infections and ensuring that those living with AIDS are not left behind.
• Understand and respond to critical needs in support of policies, frameworks, operational guidance, standards, instruments and tools both in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar in the context of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights, including HIV both in the development and humanitarian context;
• Focus on equity in access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV prevention services, quality of care and accountability both in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, both in the development and humanitarian context;
• Provide technical input to the development of relevant advocacy and policy documents to address Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, including HIV.
• Advocate and provide technical guidance for a multi-sectoral approach to HIV/AIDS, including incorporation and prioritization of HIV prevention strategies in national and sectoral development frameworks and plans and ensuring linkages to broader Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights concerns.
• Provide continuous advice and guidance to the Tanzanian Country Office on strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights;
• Any other technical needs in support of the implementation of UNFPA’s Country Programme.

B. Results-based Management

• Ensure incorporation of data monitoring, evaluation results, lessons learned and new knowledge in the updating of specific substantive strategies, policies, tools and approaches;
• Contribute in reporting to the United Nations Development Assistance Plan II Reporting Platform, that is, UN INFO and UNAIDS Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF)
• Leveraging an evidence-based approach to contribute to conceptualize and develop strategic directions; and manage and monitor components of Sexual and Reproductive Health, including HIV with a focus on the priority areas of High Impact Practices;
• Closely work with the UNFPA Programme Managers; Humanitarian Focal Persons; Lead Programme Analyst on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health; and the UNFPA Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to develop appropriate checklists/ monitoring tools in coordination with partners; and
• Carry out regular visits to programme areas, including health units and service delivery points, to check the main needs and to ensure that partners are implementing high-quality programmes to respond to the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, including the HIV needs of targeted population, including adolescents and young people.
• Regularly assess, analyze and communicate to decision-makers and partners on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, including HIV trends, challenges and priorities in Tanzania (with a focus on HIV prevention).

C. Capacity Development

• Develop and support substantive partnerships and collaborations with other Development Partners in the context of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar;
• Work closely with UNFPA Operations Staff members to ensure that activities are implemented within the allocated budgets and in-line with policies and procedures;
• Coach and manage junior staff and associates, direct reports and facilitate working groups and task teams;
• Regular follow-up and support to Implementing Partners to ensure timely-implementation and reporting, including financial.

D. Evidence and Knowledge Development and Dissemination

• Contribute to the programme work to identify, analyze, and synthesize state-of-the-art knowledge and evidence and ensure its transfer to improve the effectiveness of UNFPA operations;
• Ensure that evidence, technical knowledge and analysis of lessons learned are collected, managed, disseminated and available for application in the Tanzania Country Office operations;
• Assemble briefings, talking points and background materials in the substantive areas for senior management staff.

E.  Technical Representation

• Liaise and collaborate with Government Officials, UN Agencies, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations and other Partners, including the Private Sector in the areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, including HIV; Adolescents and Young People; and Population and Development;
• Undertake analysis and develop  tools to ensure incorporation of International Conference on Population and Development Principles and programme interventions;
• Represent UNFPA in meetings and consultations related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights alongside other key critical areas, including HIV;
• Represent UNFPA on substantive issues, including elaborate UNFPA’s perspective/views, and advocate for critical issues in programme, policy and technical meetings and fora;
• Collaborate with UN Agencies, Academia, Research and Training Institutions, and Professional Societies; and act as Focal Point for Inter-Agency Working Groups in the substantive areas.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, including HIV prevention with significant programme and policy experience;
• Strong skills in policy analysis and demonstrated experience in policy development and programme planning, monitoring and evaluation;
• Strong analytical and results-orientation with proven experience in using results-based management tools;
• Extensive knowledge of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights context and trends, and a thorough understanding of the social, cultural, economic and gender dimensions;
• Familiarity with the UN system and/or experience working with an international organization is an advantage
• Experience working in collaboration with government, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector, and community-led organizations, in particular on issues related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, including HIV
• Dedication to United Nations principles and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously within a team.
• Excellent oral, written, presentation and networking skills;
• Proficiency in current Microsoft Office Software Applications.

Education: 

• Post graduate degree in public health, medicine, anthropology, sociology or other related social sciences;

Languages:

Fluency in Kiswahili and English.

Required Competencies

Values:

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

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise,
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnership,
• Job knowledge/technical expertise

 
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
• Communicating for Impact

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.