Program Associate in Sexual and Reproductive Health Full-Time

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the UN’s reproductive health agency dealing with population issues and it is responsible for expanding the possibilities for women and young people to lead a healthy sexual and reproductive life. UNFPA works to accelerate universal access to sexual and reproductive health, including voluntary family planning and safe motherhood; and seeks the realization of rights and opportunities for young people.

UNFPA is present in more than 150 countries, improving people’s lives as a catalyst for action and advocacy of their issues. Acting through alliances and partnerships with governments, other UN agencies, civil society and the private sector, UNFPA makes a positive difference for billions of people, especially those most in need.

UNFPA also helps countries use population data to anticipate future challenges; offers technical assistance that strengthens and empowers its partners; supports policy formulation and national capacity-building, ensuring that reproductive health and the rights of women and young people remain central issues in the development agenda.

UNFPA is making progress – fewer women are dying during childbirth, more unwanted pregnancies are being avoided, and younger women are having their opportunities expanded. But it is necessary to expand these efforts so that we can reach a healthy and fair world.

UNFPA – Creating a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Context

Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Programme

In Mozambique, UNFPA contributes to ensuring greater availability and use of integrated sexual and reproductive health services including family planning, maternal health, midwifery, obstetric fistula, and HIV prevention and treatment services in 11 provinces in Mozambique and working in partnership with more than 40 implementing partners.

The UN Youth Volunteer will support the implementation of the overall UNFPA SRH programme by providing support to programme staff on key accelerators such as innovation, multi-stakeholder and UN coordination, and resource mobilization in support of the 10th UNFPA Country Programme of Cooperation in Mozambique with a focus on the following projects:

•  Health Improvements for Mothers, Neonates, and Adolescents in Niassa Province (HIMNA)

This multi-year program responds to the needs of Niassa province, which is one of the most neglected provinces in Mozambique with the worst sexual and reproductive health indicators, addressing the sexual and reproductive thematic areas linked to family planning and maternal mortality such as demand, use, and availability & quality of data, and brings into consideration key intersections between gender, poverty, educational attainment, and one’s geographic location.

The intervention in four districts of Niassa province (Lichinga, Mandimba, Cuamba, and Mecanhella districts) includes activities to generate demand and support advocacy efforts at the community and secondary school level regarding the use of modern contraceptives. The project will also support community dialogues about access to sexual and reproductive health services and information sharing through the mobile brigade activities. In addition, in line with the national disaster plan, the project will also contribute to national health providers’ capacity to provide quality services through.

• Health services providers’ training activities (family planning, pre/antenatal care, abortion care, C/BEmONC) including training activities tailored training contents to response, and readiness for natural disasters in the context of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) with healthcare for GBV survivors.
• Procurement of maternity kits and one operation container to support the health facility readiness in essential and adequate service provision.
• Training of community health workers on family planning commodities provision together with the family planning information sharing including GBV referral service in general and in disaster situations.
• At the school level, adolescent girls and boys will receive information on the availability of sexual and reproductive health and GBV survivor care, and awareness during emergencies throughout the school-based youth-friendly service provision and at Serviços Amigos dos Adolescentes e dos Jovens (SAAJs).

Increase use of modern high-quality family planning methods by women in Mozambique, especially amongst those most vulnerable

This project is designed to ensure contraceptive availability nationally and by strengthening the provision of family planning services in Mozambique. The project aims to ensure quality and integrated family planning services for women and adolescents in both national and target provinces (Zambezia and Nampula provinces) with both Government and non-governmental partners. The following are the key interventions under this project: Task description

Under the direct supervision of the SRH team leader, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Programme management support

• Support implementation including budget analysis, regular monitoring of project implementation, planning and reporting on SRH-related program interventions, and follow-up with field colleagues as required;
• Assist with general administrative duties, including fund allocation in the Results and Resources Plan (RRP), review e-FACEs, and organize meetings and logistics of events;
• Assist in initiating procurement requests for emergency commodities, following up on the procurement process, delivery of items, and distribution, and ensuring compliance with UNFPA procurement procedures;
• Assist in organizing and maintaining records of donor agreements, project timelines, and milestones;
• Assist in compiling a list of lessons learned and best practices from ongoing programs to help inform programming, communications, and advocacy work.

Monitoring and reporting

• Support the analysis of data to identify trends in needs, vulnerabilities, and response gaps;
• Compile reports on program progress, challenges, and good practices;
• Assist in preparing country office updates, including humanitarian situation reports for donors and partners.

Resource mobilization

• Participate in and support resource mobilization efforts as requested including by providing inputs to donor reports, minute-taking from donor meetings, development of new proposals, or other support to advance partnership discussions;
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility

As this assignment is funded by KOICA, specific eligibility criteria apply:

• Applicants must be Korean nationals aged between 18 and 29 years at the time of application.
• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or have graduated within the past 12 months (at the time of application).
• Individuals who have previously served in a KOICA-funded UN University Volunteer assignment are not eligible.

Application

•  If you are currently enrolled in a university and have not yet obtained a university degree, indicate in the section ‘Academic qualifications’ under ‘diploma/degree obtained’ that you are still studying and towards which degree. In the ‘to’ field, enter the current date, as the system does not allow you to enter a future date. Instead of the degree certificate, upload any evidence of your enrollment, for example a transcript.
•  You may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ field when filling in the application form.

Selection

•  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment. Interviews will be conducted by the UN Host Entity in June.

Assignment Requirements

Languages

• English, Level: Fluent, Required.
• Portuguese, Level: Working knowledge, Required.

Required education level

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in – currently enrolled or recent graduate – social sciences, human rights, international law, international development studies, public health or related fields with specialized knowledge in the field of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

Competencies and values

• Accountability.
• Adaptability and Flexibility.
• Building Trust.
• Commitment and Motivation.
• Commitment to Continuous Learning.
• Communication.
• Integrity.
• Knowledge Sharing.
• Planning and Organizing.
• Professionalism.
• Working in Teams.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrated interest or experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), youth development and participation, and/or human rights is a strong advantage.
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;
• Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others.

Skills in:

• Good interpersonal, networking, and communication skills;
• Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team, initiative, sound judgment, and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
• Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments, and living conditions;
• Ability to write and communicate clearly and concisely;
• Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others);
• Knowledge of the Southeast Africa region is an asset.

Area(s) of expertise

• Health, Crisis and emergency response, Administration.

Living conditions and remarks

Mozambique is located on the southeast coast of Africa. The country lies on the east coast of Southern Africa and borders the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Swaziland .The total area of Mozambique is 799 380 square km from North to South. The land borders have a length of 4,445 km, while the coastline measures 2,515 km. Monte Binga, culminating at 2,436 m over the Zimbabwe border, is the highest point of Mozambique. With a total population of roughly 34 million people, based on the 2017 census, Mozambique is a country where 73% of the population is under 30 years old. Portuguese is the official and business language, although English is also widely spoken in business and academic settings, particularly in the capital city of Maputo.

Housing in Maputo, which includes apartments and houses, can be rented for US$700 to US$4,000 per month, depending on the amenities and size. Restaurant meals typically cost between US$10 and US$15.

Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and local markets at reasonable prices. An entry visa is required for all travellers and must be obtained from the Mozambican Embassy prior to travelling. The metical is the local currency and exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 63.90 meticais (MZM) as per February 2025. Commercial banks are operational in the country and Visa cards are accepted in very limited hotels. Maputo is categorized as a family duty station offering a variety of different accommodation options. It has a vibrant international community whilst also providing excellent opportunities to work in a national, Mozambican context.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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