The Position:

The Sexual, Reproductive, and HIV Officer is responsible for advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and HIV initiatives across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The position involves developing, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of SRHR and HIV projects and initiatives to ensure alignment with UNFPA´s strategic priorities and regional goals. The Officer will provide high-quality technical support to Country Offices in the region and collaborate with the Regional Office and Headquarters to ensure the effective implementation of UNFPA’s SRHR and HIV programs. The position will report directly to the Sexual and Reproductive Health Regional Advisor in the LAC Regional Office.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the leading UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025) reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA. It focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths, end the unmet need for family planning, and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments to accelerating progress toward realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations, and individuals to “build forward better” while addressing the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains, and realize our goals.

The LAC region faces complex and multifaceted challenges related to sexual and reproductive health, including HIV. Despite the efforts made, high rates of maternal mortality, teenage pregnancy, and a sustained increase in HIV infections linked to unprotected sex persist, in addition to the need to adapt the agenda to the epidemiological and demographic transitions underway. Effective implementation of policies and programs in this area requires expert coordination and supervision to ensure the timely implementation of funds and to maximize the impact of interventions.

In 2024, UNFPA LACRO decided to prioritize countries in the region to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal mortality and adolescent pregnancy. At this early stage, 17 countries have been identified to accelerate these transformative outcomes by 2030. This implies collaborating with countries to implement a methodology identifying bottle necks and prioritizing causes associated with them to accelerate maternal mortality and adolescent pregnancy initiatives and plans reduction. UNFPA LACRO supported with seed funds for the start of the implementation of these plans, but to guarantee scope, constant and efficient support is needed in implementation, as well as monitoring and stewardship. By 2025, it is expected that all countries will have carried out the exercise, have defined their prioritization strategies and are implementing plans to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality and adolescent pregnancy.

At the same time, several countries in the region are navigating the demographic and epidemiological transition, while striving to achieve the “3 Zeros” of the mandate. This dual challenge requires fostering dialogue and harmonious work between immediate priorities and the agenda of the future.

For UNFPA, a critical challenge lies in identifying key interventions within the agenda of the future that, in the framework of sexual, reproductive, and post-reproductive health, foster healthier and more sustainable life trajectories for States and communities.

The SRH area is committed to contributing to this forward-looking agenda by prioritizing cost-effective interventions for States and populations within the framework of the new global strategy for Maternal and Newborn Health and Well-being and the new Sexual Health Strategy, emphasizing evidence-based approaches for to advance progress toward the 2030 Agenda and the UNFPA Strategic Plan.

UNFPA LACRO is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results; we value transparent individuals who are exceptional in managing the resources entrusted to them and commit to excellence in program results.

Job Purpose:

Working within a Regional Office (RO) environment, you will ensure the effective management of UNFPA initiatives in sexual, reproductive, maternal health, and HIV prevention within an integrated approach.

Employing their technical assistance, expertise, and program management experience, the Officer will contribute to oversee the work of consultants, implementing partners, CO, and experts. They will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bilateral donor agencies, and civil society to address emerging issues and effectively influence diverse stakeholders to contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate.

You would be responsible for

1.Program Coordination and Technical Support

• Coordination and follow-up of the COs prioritized for the acceleration of the reduction of maternal mortality and adolescent pregnancy. Work directly with the 23 country offices, especially the 17 prioritized ones, for the follow-up and support in the development and implementation of projects related to sexual, reproductive and maternal health developed from the application of the methodology for identifying barriers and causes that prevent the acceleration of the reduction in Adolescent Pregnancy and Maternal Mortality.
• Providing technical assistance and oversight to Country Offices in the region on SRHR and HIV/AIDS programming, including policy development, capacity building, and service delivery.
• Contribute with the Regional Office and Headquarters on developing regional and global SRHR and HIV/AIDS strategies and policies.
• Assessing implications of new policy developments and strategies on program execution and ensuring their integration.

2.Financial Oversight and Accountability

• Review and execution of funds -ensure the correct use of the funds´ allocation, including the review of the execution and implementation of projects in a timely manner in countries of the region, including the funds mobilized through the MHTH (Maternal Heath Thematic Fund), the CAC (Comprehensive Abortion Care) Funds and the UBRAF funds on HIV.
• Ensuring accountability to UNFPA headquarters by providing detailed reports and updates on project progress and utilization of funds.

3.Advocacy, Knowledge Sharing, and Collaboration

• Coordinating with all stakeholders to develop a set of cost-effective interventions that focus on the sexual well-being and health of communities throughout their life course to guide and accompany country offices in promoting this agenda.
• Participating in inter-agency groups (UNAIDS, EWEC, and GTR), strengthening collaboration and coordination of strategies and interventions between organizations and agencies to achieve the 3 zeros.
• Ensuring effective knowledge management strategies are implemented by the program team, capturing lessons learned and best practices for future planning and addressing training needs of project personnel.
• Representing UNFPA at regional and global meetings and events related to SRHR and HIV/AIDS.
• Assessing implications of new policy developments and strategies on program execution and ensuring their integration.
• Participating in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the RO, by ensuring preparation of relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in related meetings and public events.

 

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

An advanced degree (minimum Master’s degree or equivalent) in gender, policies, social work, Public Health, international development, and related areas is required.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in SRHR and HIV/AIDS programming, including project development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation or related areas is required.
• Strong understanding of SRHR and HIV/AIDS issues in LAC.
• Proven experience in providing technical assistance to government and civil society partners.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Experience in program/project management, including expertise in large multi-sector projects, designing and appraising proposals, and actively liaising with relevant and potential project partners.
• Experience in designing, developing and executing programs, projects or initiatives in alignment with UNFPA organizational goals.
• Field experience is an asset.
• Prior experience in the UN system is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in Spanish and English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French or Portuguese, is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity.
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system.
• Embracing cultural diversity.
• Embracing change.

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results.
• Being accountable.
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen.
• Thinking analytically and strategically.
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships.
• Communicating for impact.

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda.
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships.
• Delivering results-based program.
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization.

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus.
• Engaging with internal/external partners and stakeholders.
• Leading, developing, and empowering people, creating a culture of performance.
• Making decisions and exercising judgment .

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary plus cost-of-living adjustment, rental subsidy, education grant, home leave, health insurance, and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee for the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the International Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.