The Position:
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 expands choices and possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives. Our work is derived from the ICPD Programme of Action; that all human beings are entitled to equal rights and protections, and no one should be left behind in the fulfilment of their fundamental human rights. In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical leaders, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2024) focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
During conflicts, natural disasters and public health emergencies, sexual and reproductive health needs are often overlooked – with staggering consequences. Pregnant women and girls risk life-threatening complications without access to delivery and emergency obstetric care services. Women and girls may lose access to family planning services, exposing them to unintended pregnancy in perilous conditions. Women and girls also become more vulnerable to sexual violence, exploitation, and HIV infection.
ICPD25 drew specific attention to the high burden of maternal and newborn mortality and suffering in humanitarian contexts and the urgent need for investment in these contexts. UNFPA Humanitarian Office was created as a means to strengthen UNFPA’s capacity to expand its reach and support to humanitarian contexts.
Job Purpose:
The intern will support the SRH team in the Program Support Unit (PSU) at the Humanitarian Response Division (HRD) in Geneva. The focus of this intern position will be to help with the revision of the Interagency Reproductive Health kits.
The Interagency Reproductive Health Kits (IARH Kits) for use in humanitarian crisis settings are a set of pre-packaged emergency health kits that include all the medicines, devices and commodities necessary to provide basic, minimum, lifesaving services at the early phase of a humanitarian emergency. The kits are designed to implement the service objectives of the Minimum Initial Service Package for Reproductive Health in Crisis (MISP). UNFPA has been managing these kits, on behalf of the Interagency working group on reproductive health in crisis (IAWG), since their creation and updating them every few years to ensure compliance with the latest evidence and to solve logistical bottlenecks.
In 1996, UNFPA and the members of the IAWG developed the original set of Emergency Reproductive Health Kits with the goal of facilitating the timely and appropriate delivery of reproductive health services in emergency settings. UNFPA is responsible for, among other things, assembling and delivering the IARH Kits; facilitating the rapid procurement and distribution processes while at the same time ensuring the quality of the products it is sourcing.
UNFPA Humanitarian Response Division (HRD) is responsible for updating the IARH kits taking into consideration technical changes required and adaptations to address logistics bottlenecks; this work is in addition to continuous support to country office and regional offices who are procuring and managing the IARH kits and other humanitarian supplies.
Reviews of the IARH kits were undertaken in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2010, 2013 and 2017/18 to assess the use, contents, and quality of delivery of the IARH Kits in the field. Past evaluations have brought about changes in contents (i.e., the inclusion of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and the addition of neonatal antibiotics) and simplification in the ordering and logistic process. The reviews can take a significant amount of time and require input and consensus from operational and technical experts within UNFPA and within the broader IAWG community.
The goal of the reviews is to elicit feedback from the widest possible group of individuals/organizations involved in the ordering, management, or use of the IARH kits to ensure that the content and structure are as useful and applicable to as many contexts as possible, as well as being aligned with the latest technical best-practice standards. The reviews are also an opportunity to assess some of the major logistical and technical areas where increased capacity building, human resources, policy adaptation and support from HQ and regional offices is needed for those involved with the kits in the field.
In addition, other modifications to the kits are being considered including exploring the role of self-care approaches; developing a ‘training’ kit, and ensuring coherence with new UNICEF neonatal kits.
You Would be Responsible:
To support key steps in the IARH kit review process, including IARH kit research to:
Test, adapt, conduct, and analyze a survey for field staff/kit users.
Design or adapt, conduct, and analyze key informant interviews and/or focus groupdiscussions with relevant country, regional and global level colleagues and NGO implementing partners, including both logistic/supply chain colleagues and end-users of the kits (front-line health providers, managers)
Lead the drafting of the IARH kit technical review paper, suggesting updated content of IARH kits based on technical recommendations through:
- Conducting a literature review, including any updated SRH-related WHO guidelines, to understand changes to protocols that may impact needed changes to kit content
- Developing a matrix of recommended changes
- Support the establishment of a technical working group through IAWG to review proposed changes, including with key stakeholders including WHO, IAWG members, UNFPA at various levels
Your Education
- Currently enrolled on an advanced degree programme or recently graduated, in Public Health, Global Health or related subjects
Your Experience
- Fluent in English, fluency in French or Spanish is an advantage
- Experience in SRH in humanitarian contexts, with clinical background (midwife, doctor, nurse, pharmacist) desirable
- Understanding of logistics, pharmacy, or pharmacy management are assets
- Academic experience in conducting surveys, key informant interviews, and literature reviews are desirable
Your Competencies:
- Good organizational skill
- Initiative and resourcefulness
- Good communication skills
- IT skills, including setting up websites, zoom meetings etc, and social media skills are an asset
- Ability to live by the core values of the UN: integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity.
At the end of the 6-month assignment a [deliverables]
- Survey conducted and analyzed
- Key informant interviews and/or focus group discussions conducted and analyzed
- Technical review background paper and matrix completed
Learning Elements:
Upon completion of the assignment, the Intern should be able to:
- Increased understanding of the UNFPA programming in humanitarian settings though interaction with members of the Humanitarian Office, specifically the response and technical support unit, of UNFPA
- Understand the UNFPA mandate, especially UNFPA role and responsibilities in humanitarian settings
- Learn UN technical language, working procedures, and coordination mechanisms
- Networking with UNFPA staff members as part of the internship
- Work as a team member in a multicultural setting
Financial Aspects:
Interns receive a stipend in line with UNFPA policy. For an internship in Geneva, a stipend of 918 CHF/month applies. The costs associated with an intern's participation in the programme must be assumed either by the nominating institution, which may provide the required financial assistance to its students, or by the students themselves, who will have to meet living expenses as well as make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel, and other requirements. In addition, applicants must have medical insurance for the duration of the internship. Proof of insurance will need to be submitted before the internship begins.
Disclaimer:
UNFPA is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. You are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Should you feel that you have received a fraudulent notice, letter or offer, you may submit a report through the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm
How to apply
Please send your application (CV and motivation letter) by email to bernardeauserra@unfpa.org indicating in the subject of your email “SRH Intern – your name” by Monday 15th of May 2023.