Maternal Health Analyst

Job Description

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF NEPAL ONLY.

Vacancy Announcement: 19 March to 1 April 2022

Closing Date: 1 April 2022 (5pm Kathmandu time)

Duration: 364 days

Duty Station: Kathmandu, Nepal

Organizational Setting
The Position:

UNFPA works to ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights remain at the very centre of development. The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) draws a clear connection between reproductive health, human rights and sustainable development. When sexual and reproductive health needs are not met, individuals are deprived of the right to make crucial choices about their own bodies and futures, with a cascading impact on their families’ welfare and future generations. And because women bear children, and also often bear the responsibility for nurturing them, sexual and reproductive health and rights issues cannot be separated from gender equality. Cumulatively, the denial of these rights exacerbates poverty and gender inequality.

UNFPA works with governments, other UN agencies, civil society and donors to develop comprehensive efforts to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care. This includes efforts to strengthen health systems, including supporting the implementation of reproductive health programmes, improving the quality of reproductive health care and strengthening human resources. UNFPA also works to make sure reproductive health commodities are available where needed, such as contraceptives, life-saving medicines and basic medical equipment, and that a functioning logistics system is in place.

Reproductive Health is a lifetime concern for both women and men, from infancy to old age. UNFPA supports programmes tailored to the different challenges people face at different times in their lives, including comprehensive sexuality education, family planning, antenatal and safe delivery care, Emergency Obstetric Care, postnatal care, services to prevent sexually transmitted infections, and services facilitating early diagnosis and treatment of reproductive health illnesses. To support reproductive health throughout the life cycle, services across a variety of sectors must be strengthened in addition to health and education systems.

The Programme Analyst, Maternal Health will serve as the focal point for activities under the umbrella of the Maternal Health Thematic Fund (MHTF). S/he will provide technical and programme management support in the implementation of holistic MNH programming and policy advocacy work within and beyond MHTF, while ensuring that the local context and realities are taken into account, without compromising the mandate of UNFPA. S/he will build close relationships with internal and external stakeholders, support best practice in MNH programming and advocacy and ensure in-country ownership. S/he will contribute to the strategic oversight of MNH linkages in programming, for developing and implementing the programmes as well as contributing to capacity development, programme management, coordination and management of resources.

S/he will be located at the UNFPA Country Office (CO) in Kathmandu, Nepal and will work under the overall supervision of the Programme Specialist, SRHR and in close collaboration with the UNFPA sub-national teams and other teams in Kathmandu.

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:

The Constitution of Nepal 2015 and the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Rights Act 2018 protects the sexual and reproductive health rights and choices of women and girls. However, Nepal has one of the highest ratios of maternal deaths in the region (239 per 100,000 live births), an indication of the country’s weak health system. The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the health system further with health resources and capacities diverted from SRH services to address the pandemic. Overall, women and girls from marginalized groups continue to suffer disproportionately from unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortion, maternal deaths and disability, sexually transmitted infections and gender based violence.

UNFPA has worked in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) for the last four decades and has contributed to establishing a progressive policy and legislative environment for SRHR; provided technical support to put SRH protocols and guidelines in place; invested in developing health systems including human resources and supply chain management for SRH; and provided SRH commodities to the Government.

UNFPA also works closely with its provincial and local unit counterparts and other partners at sub-national level, with a strong field presence in several districts and in selected provincial capitals.

Since 2018, UNFPA has focused on enabling the new federal structure, at all levels, to strengthen the delivery of SRH services, with a focus on marginalized and vulnerable groups. This has included advocacy efforts to mobilize political and financial support from policy makers; provision of technical assistance to put in place an enabling policy environment for SRHR; support for SRH including family planning (FP) commodities; and oversight of a range of implementing partners engaged in capacity building and service delivery at the local level.

Since 2011, UNFPA Nepal CO is the recipient of the Maternal Health Thematic Trust Fund (MHTF), which is being used as a catalytic fund for advancing maternal health programmes, with a special focus on Midwifery and Obstetric Fistula. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MHTF remains instrumental in continuing SRH services through support for teleconsultation and helpline services, in addition to its regular programmes. The key notable achievement made through MHTF is the initiation of Midwifery education in the country and production of professional Midwives cadre (26 till now); recognition of Obstetric fistula as a major public health problem; free of cost fistula surgeries; and strengthening capacity of fistula surgeons.

Despite the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal and reinforced by different acts, regulations, policies, and plans over the last decade, progress on MMR has been halted for a decade. The increasing trend in institutional deliveries and skilled birth attendants did not result in a corresponding reduction in MMR. Low coverage and quality of EmONC services, inadequate skilled human resources for maternal health including midwives, and limited availability of the essential lifesaving maternal health commodities are the key challenges to be addressed to achieve zero maternal death in Nepal by 2030.

The Programme Analyst, Maternal Health ensures effective oversight and management of UNFPA-supported interventions in the areas of maternal health under the umbrella of the Maternal Health Thematic Fund with a special focus on the following areas: Midwifery, MPDSR, EmONC, and Obstetric Fistula.

Main Tasks & Responsibilities
S/he will be responsible for:

Programme Development

• Contribute to the formulation and design of the next country programme and its maternal health component in line with Government priorities and in accordance with UNFPA programme policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the quality of programme/project design of the MHTF programme by incorporating lessons learned, best practices, newly developed policies, establishing appropriate execution and monitoring mechanisms and systems, analysing technical soundness of programme strategies and interventions.
• Help create and document knowledge about current and emerging maternal health issues, by analysing programme, projects, strategies, approaches and ongoing experience for lessons learned, best practices, and share with management of Nepal CO, APRO and HQ for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies.
• Facilitate programme baseline and evaluation studies, and other relevant research undertakings for the maternal health component of the country programme, with a specific focus to the MHTF funded priority interventions.

1. National Capacity Development

• Analyze and provide evidence-based guidance to address policy, system and service delivery gaps as highlighted in various national demographic and socio-economic studies.
• Provide support to health authorities and relevant government agencies in the development and roll out of maternal health related standard operating procedures, service protocols and guidelines.
• Coordinate and assess capacity building initiatives in EmONC, Maternal Death Surveillance, Fistula and Midwifery practice in close collaboration with implementing partners and provide substantive contributions to the development of a capacity building strategies.
• Provide technical support in undertaking operations research to improve current maternal health policies and programmes.
• Compile good practices, experiences and success stories from other countries and share with relevant partners for adaptation. Promote south-south cooperation and substantive partnerships around good practices and maternal health innovation.

1. Programme Management, Coordination and Resource Mobilization

• Participate in policy dialogue and assist in advocacy efforts and mainstreaming maternal health concerns in sectoral, national, provincial plans, policies and programs by preparing relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches policy briefs and strategy papers.
• Assist the management to maintain a continuous flow of information and collaborative relationships with the government line ministries and departments, civil society constituents, the United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies and other development organizations. Pursue innovative ways to maintain and create new partnerships.
• Contribute to the documentation of lessons learned and best practices related to UNFPA’s work in maternal health; participate in communities of practices and share new approaches with UNFPA and the implementing partners for optimal results.
• With direction participate in the Strengthening of partnerships and collaboration with the Government, civil society actors and other development partners through supporting effective coordination mechanisms.
• Assist resource mobilization efforts of the CO by preparing donor profiles and briefing notes, concept notes and project proposals, participating in donor meetings and public information events, and organizing site visits for existing and potential donors.

1. Management of Resources / Results based Monitoring

• Expedite and facilitate project implementation, establishing collaborative relationships with implementing agencies, experts, government counterparts and the United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies and other development partners facilitating timely and efficient delivery of project inputs and addressing training needs of project personnel.
• In conjunction or with direction of the SRSH Specialist undertake regular monitoring visits; assesses the effectiveness of maternal health interventions; identify areas for further improvements; and make an effort to address the barriers and bottlenecks with the partners, while building capacities for sustainability.
• Undertake results-based monitoring and reporting under the maternal health programme including timely submission of progress and other reports, as required.
• Participate in the formulation of maternal health work plans and facilitate their day-to-day implementation through consultations, correspondence and field visits.
• Contribute substantively to donor reports, project documents and concept notes.

Perform any other duties as requested by the supervisor and the management team in UNFPA.

Required Qualification & Experience

Education:  

Advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine/Health Sciences, Nursing/ Midwifery or other related discipline.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Prior clinical experience as a public health professional, preferably in a low resource setting.
• Practical experience in maternal health issues and service delivery.
• Knowledge and understanding of UN/UNFPA humanitarian/development programming and operations, and about UN common programming principles including a human-rights based approach, gender equality and capacity development.
• Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral forms.
• Practical experience in design, management, monitoring and review of maternal health programmes/projects.
• Experience in policy advocacy, documentation, development of national maternal health strategies, protocols and training packages.
• Demonstrated experience in coordination and liaison with government counterparts, NGOs, UN agencies, private sector, development partners and CBOs.
• Good understanding of the Nepal Government’s health related policies, laws, policy making processes and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the relevant Government partners and other stakeholders.
• Experience using office software packages and web-based management systems.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrated experience in working successfully as a member of multidisciplinary team.

Languages:

Proficiency in English and Nepali is required. Working knowledge of another UN language or local language is an asset.

Required Competencies

Values:

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

Functional Competencies:

• Logistical support
• Managing data
• Managing documents, correspondence and reports
• Managing information and workflow
• Planning, organizing and multi-tasking
• Managing financial processes
• Job knowledge / technical expertise

UNFPA Work Environment

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.

How to Apply

UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy. Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment. Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process.

Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

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