Thailand: SRH in Emergencies/Humanitarian Consultant- Retainer Contract

Background and Overview

The Asia Pacific region is the most disaster prone region in the world and has many protracted and complex emergencies. In recent years, UNFPA has increasingly played a critical role in responding to both natural and manmade disasters which have increased in numbers and magnitude. In 2017 alone, UNFPA provided humanitarian assistance and response to emergencies and protracted crises in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DPRK, Iran, Myanmar, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Pacific among others. In line with UNFPA’s strategic plan (2018-2021) and humanitarian commitments, the Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) works closely with country offices and partners to improve efforts on addressing sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender and gender based violence (GBV) within emergency preparedness, response and recovery.

Due to the frequency and severity of humanitarian emergencies in the region, from cyclical natural disasters affecting several countries in the region on an annual basis to protracted conflicts and fragile contexts, the APRO humanitarian team is in need of on-call Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRHiE)/humanitarian expertise to help support emergency preparedness and response efforts. The SRHiE/humanitarian consultant, to be recruited through a retainer contract, will be available to support the APRO Humanitarian Team remotely, in-office, and through deployment (when/if needed) for the duration of their contract.

Under the overall guidance of the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator, the SRHiE/humanitarian consultant will support in emergency response efforts for the region, including planning of CO response, review of response-related documents such as fund requests and donor proposals, and internal documentation, as needed and requested by APRO, providing guidance and insight on the SRH needs of affected populations in the region to be calculated into UNFPA CO level response measures.

Key tasks and responsibilities:

The SRHiE/humanitarian consultant will work under the overall guidance of the APRO Humanitarian Response Coordinator to support regional response efforts. The expected outputs are as below”

· Technical backstopping of the regional humanitarian response coordinator in the event of multiple emergencies.

· Reviewing the SRHiE/MISP components of CO’s emergency responses, including but not limited to: CO response plans, MISP calculations, assessments and tools, Emergency Fund request forms, CERF proposals, country situation reports, procurement plans, distribution plans, etc.;

· Providing technical guidance to COs on SRHiE-related response efforts remotely or via short deployment;

· Preparing materials for orienting/training for Asia Pacific COs on the roll out of the new MISP;

· Reviewing emergency preparedness plans and documents to support integration of SRHiE.

· Undertake travel to Bangkok (APRO), if needed.

Organizational Setting

The work of the SRHiE/humanitarian consultant will be on a needs-basis, as per request of APRO, and may include reviewing documents and response plans from a distance, in-house support at the regional office in Bangkok, or deployment to COs, as needed.

Work will be accepted based on deliverables achieved, and will be communicated to the IC including the expected number of work days needed for completion of deliverables. Some deliverables it will also include written documents/reports that will be requested depending on the nature of the assignment.

The retainer contract will include up to 30 working days to be utilized over a period of 7 months (21 May- 31 December, 2018)

There will be no penalty to the consultant nor to the regional office if all days allotted in the contract are not used.

There will be no rolling over of unused days. Travel costs will be paid separately and in line with UNFPA travel policy.

Payment will only be done in 2 instalments (upon encumbrance of up-to 15 work days each time) for the actual number of work days completed during the engagement period and against acceptance of deliverables by UNFPA

Duration and Work Schedule

The retainer contract will include up to 30 working days to be utilized over a period of 7 months (21 May- 31 December, 2018)

Expected travel:

As earlier mentioned, the consultant may be required to travel to provide in-house support at the regional office in Bangkok, or deploy to the country offices as needed.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

· Minimum of Masters’ degree in medicine, gender studies, public health, international development, social sciences or other related field.

· Knowledge and Experience:

· A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional humanitarian experience including experience in SRH in emergencies;

· Substantive knowledge and practical experience in sexual reproductive health programming in humanitarian and post-conflict recovery settings;

· Demonstrated humanitarian coordination and programming and ability to establish harmonious working relations in an international and multicultural environment;

· Excellent computer literacy (MS office applications including Word, Excel and Power-point and Internet skills);

· Experience and capacity in development and delivery of SRHiE training components to government, NGO, and community level participants.

Candidates should submit the following documents

1. An application letter which states the candidate’s relevant work experience to apply for this consultancy
2. Curriculum vitae, and
3. A completed United Nations Personal History (P 11)

All the above documents must be sent by e-mail to vac-robangkok@unfpa.org .

The P11 is available on the UNFPA websites at http://www.unfpa.org/resources/p11-un-personal-history-form

Please quote the Vacancy number "VA JID 1807-SRH in emergencies/Humanitarian Consultant-Retainer Contract."

The deadline for application is:Friday, 04 May 2018, at 15:00 Bangkok time.**

UNFPA will only be able to respond to those applications in which UNFPA has a further interest.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balances gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. 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.