Liberia: National Programme Officer (NOC)- Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH); Vacancy Number: UNFPA/LBR/VA/002/17

Duties and responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNFPA Representative, and the direct supervision of the Assistant Representative, the National Programme Officer for ASRH will provide policy and technical leadership for UNFPA’s response to national ASRH priorities. The ASRH Programme Officer will specifically carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

Policy and Capacity Development

• Represent UNFPA in national efforts to develop, monitor and implement policies, plans, and strategies for ASRH;

• Advocate and provide technical guidance for a multisectoral approach to ASRH, including incorporation and prioritization of ASRH strategies in national and sectoral adolescent and youth development frameworks and plans;

• Support and strengthen UN interagency collaboration and joint programming efforts in ASRH including joint planning and monitoring and evaluation. Ensure that UNFPA can provide adequate response to government requests for technical assistance in ASRH-related areas. Provide substantive input into the UN Technical Group on ASRH, and technical support on ASRH related issues at key stages of the UN joint programming processes and the UNFPA country programme cycle;

• Represent UNFPA and provide technical input and feedback in national and sector dialogue, and in development partners fora including the Development Partners Group on ASRH. Assist in the review and evaluation of ASRH national development frameworks, plans and strategies;

• Collaborate with government, other development partners, and civil society organizations to promote an integrated approach to resource mobilization and national capacity building for youth and adolescent RH issues;

Programme Technical Support

• Conceptualize and develop UNFPA -supported ASRH interventions and strategies that provide the most appropriate contribution to national adolescent and youth RH efforts, and oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of these interventions, using lessons learned to contribute to a national evidence base;

• Provide technical guidance and support to the development, identification and harmonization indicators to monitor adolescent and youth RH interventions; and in the collection, analysis and utilization of relevant, high quality disaggregated data to support results-based planning and monitoring systems;

• Provide technical and programme guidance and support to national partners in the design and implementation of ASRH programmes in context of the PRS. Provide technical support that will link vertical programmes and Funds to national and sectoral planning, and guidance to ensure full integration and use of resources in support of broader reproductive health efforts;

• Promote substantive and programmatic linkages between UNFPA-supported ASRH interventions with efforts to promote young people’s empowerment and gender equality, and prevention of early marriage, unwanted pregnancy and prevention/management of STIs and HIV/AIDS.

• Analyze, synthesize, and disseminate lessons learned from in-country adolescent and youth RH programmes and provide partners with evidence to advocate for increasing support for the most effective ASRH programme strategies;

• Guide and strengthen strategies that promote the provision of correct information and knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, including HIV/AIDS prevention, from a rights perspective for young people including married adolescents;

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post graduate degree in public health or related health sciences;

• 5 – 7 years of professional experience in the field of ASRH including HIV/AIDS prevention with significant programme and policy experience;

• Strong analytical and results-oriented skills with demonstrated experience in programme planning, monitoring and evaluation;

• Extensive knowledge of the ASRH situation and trends, and a thorough understanding of the social, cultural, economic and gender dimensions of Liberia

• Familiarity with the UN system and/or experience working with an international organization is an advantage

• Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills

• Computer literacy

• Dedication to United Nations principles and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously within a team and with different nationalities.

Candidates should submit their applications indicating post and vacancy number, attach an updated CV, and a completed United Nations Personnel History Form P.11 obtainable from the UNFPA website at www.unfpa.org.

ALL APPLICATIONS, WITH RELEVANT ATTACHMENTS, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO: elamin@unfpa.org with copy to morris@unfpa.org.

UNFPA Liberia will only respond to applicants who will meet the stated job requirements.

***Please note that this post is a National Post and is open to applicants of either sex. Preference will be given to equally qualified women candidates*.**