UNFPA: International Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) Specialist, FTA, P3, Damascus, Syria

Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA CO Representative and the direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, and daily coordination with the Assistant Representative, the SRH Analyst, the SRH WG members and the Health Sector Coordinator, the International SRH Specialist substantially contributes to accelerating efforts to achieve the SRH goals of the UNFPA SCO as outlined in the Country Programme Document and the Humanitarian Response Plan. The Specialist will work with all SRH partners in Syria to improve access and availability of SRH and rights (SRHR) in both development and crisis contexts, facilitate and coordinate the rapid implementation of multi-sectoral, inter-agency SRH interventions; facilitate the planning, procurement and delivery of RHCS, including medical supplies and equipment; orients UNFPA and partners staff on SRH related issues (including reproductive, maternal and newborn health, family planning information and services, STIs and HIV prevention, care and treatment, and clinical management of rape services for survivors of sexual violence); resource mobilization, building and sustaining partnerships, strategic planning, communication and advocacy, and information management. S/he works to maintain SRHR as a priority across the humanitarian-development continuum in partnership with the Government and Development Partners, optimizing resource allocation, creating synergies, influencing policies, and improving the consistency and effectiveness of UNFPA's work in the country within an integrated program delivery framework, and coordination with UNFPA other offices (particularly, Gaziantep and the Hub in Amman) to ensure strong collaboration and coverage of SRH programming through the humanitarian-development nexus and WOS approach.

You would be responsible for:

• Support rapid assessment/s of SRH needs of the affected population and facility-based assessment on SRH services to tailor UNFPA’s responses.
• Support (in collaboration with the SRH Analyst, Logistics/Procurement unit, GBV unit and IPC) procurement of emergency RH kits, equipment and medical supplies as well as dignity kits; develop a distribution plan to meet the needs of implementing partners and other identified NGOs for RH services, monitor distribution and ensure utilization reporting.
• Explore other opportunities and entry points to deliver SRH services for specific at-risk vulnerable groups affected by the crisis including persons with disabilities, solo female parents, unaccompanied adolescent girls, etc.
• Support, as needed, the coordination of training sessions on SRH in emergencies (for health care providers, community services officers, security personnel, refugee/IDP population, host population, etc.).
• Support UNFPA contributions to the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), and pooled funding proposals and ensure communication with UNFPA WOS Hub for UNFPA / SRH representation at the ISC and SSG.
• In collaboration with the SRH Analyst, assist in developing/adapting protocols for selected areas in programme coordination (such as syndromic case management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), referral for emergency obstetric care, midwifery, fistula repair, medical response to survivors of rape, counselling and family planning services, etc.).
• Collaborate with UNFPA SRH colleagues to support CO to strengthen the implementation of the Minimum Initial Service package (MISP), to establish sexual and reproductive health priorities, and to assess progress towards achievement with technical tools and approaches, accelerating implementation of activities funded through CERF and UNFPA Emergency Response Fund.
• Support SRH-related development programmes when assistance is required and work closely with nexus and development stakeholders to develop an exit strategy, which includes the transition to evidence-based, comprehensive SRH programmes and longer-term sustainable financing.

2. SRH coordination 

• Lead the SRH working group, in close communication and collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Health Sector Coordinator, to promote interagency coordination and delivery of SRH services in acute and protracted emergencies, through recovery and with consideration of the nexus and development programming.
• Lead on assessments with SRH working group partners and stakeholders to better understand the status of reproductive health services and needs in the country and to establish a robust SRH strategy.
• Ensure UNFPA technical support is available, and mandate is represented in the inter-agency Health Sector, Inter Sector Coordination Meetings and other relevant humanitarian coordination and development-related forums to promote the consideration and inclusion of SRH in the health sector response plan; coordinate with working group members to provide capacity building opportunities to relevant government, UN, INGO and NGO/CSO partners. 
• Collaborate closely with UNFPA colleagues and IPs to ensure participation alongside SRH WG members to ensure rationalization of response interventions, implementation of MISP, coordination of referral pathways, and identification of RH supplies needs (allocating them to the designated areas and facilities in accordance with the Last Mile Assurance process and procedures).
• Provide inputs, on behalf of SRH WG partners, for Health Sector and OCHA SitReps and other communication products and advocacy materials, as required.
• Promote an interagency response that integrates GBV, adolescent and young people, and data into SRH interventions.
• Coordinate with SRH response partners and collect 3Ws, work with SRH and Health Sector IM to analyze and share mapping and gap analysis with the national level Health Sector, and other sector and relevant government agencies.
• Ensure standardization of SRH partner response activities and messaging, and advocate for integration, streamlining, and visibility of SRH into the HNO and HRP documents and other UN and government assessments and resource mobilization efforts.

• Engage in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts for the Country Office by preparing relevant documentation, such as project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events.
• Assist in the preparation of project proposals, donor reports, and technical briefs related to selected priority areas and projects, based on systematic analysis of processes and outputs from UNFPA-supported projects, including support for research activities with universities.
• Ensure UNFPA's leadership in SRH interventions during emergencies, including involvement in Humanitarian Programme Cycle processes, Strategic Framework development, and the implementation of Country Programme Documents. 
• Support the creation and documentation of knowledge about current and emerging SRH activities by the SRH programme team. This involves analyzing programme, project, strategies, approaches, and ongoing experiences to capture lessons learned and best practices. Use this knowledge for information sharing and planning future strategies.
• Support the UNFPA SRH Analyst in building partnerships with regional and local government units, non-government organizations, civil society, communities, inter-faith groups, co-UN agencies, development partners and the private sector in promoting full implementation of the MISP.
• Contribute to identifying and coordinating potential resource mobilization initiatives and opportunities to further widen and diversify UNFPA’s investments on SRHR.
• Support the CO programme and communication team during the development of communication products on UNFPA’s emergency reproductive health programming for use in communications with donors, partners and with other stakeholders, including UNOCHA 
• Support the CO programme and communication team during the development and / or revision of information, education and communication (IEC) materials for SRH in emergencies programming in community-based outlets during project implementation and support inputs for SitReps and other communication products, as required

• Support the achievement of programme results by ensuring the application of appropriate policies and procedures by the programme team. Establish and implement suitable monitoring and oversight mechanisms and systems.
• Support (with the M&E unit and SRH Analyst) the monitoring of SRH programmes including MISP implementation.
• Undertake field monitoring missions and ensure the implementation of recommendations from UNFPA SRH-relevant monitoring missions and SRH Working Group assessments.
• Collaborate closely with the M&E team to analyze existing data and identify trends and areas of concern.
• Support the monitoring of progress at facility and community levels including in NES/SWS and contribute to data collection, compilation and analysis for further planning and programming.
• Prepare regular progress reports and document lessons learned and challenges and share with UNFPA Management and relevant SRH colleagues.
• Ensure that the achievements of the SRH Working Group and UNFPA projects/programmes are clearly documented in donor’s reports.

Undertake any other responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor or UNFPA Representative.