National Post: Sexual and Reproductive Health in Emergencies (SRHiE) Analyst TA NOB Legazpi Philippines

Background

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, most exposed country to hazards, both climate-related and human-induced. The country experiences every year more than 20 typhoons, flooding, earthquakes, and landslides, displacing thousands of families. Disasters predominantly occur in areas affected by internal armed conflict, the humanitarian situation has become fragile and complex, exacerbating the combined impact of human and natural hazards-induced disasters in this part of the country. The reoccurrence of such shocks drains the coping capacities and livelihoods of households and communities, especially those already living below the poverty line.

In particular for 2024, the Philippines has been visited by an unprecedentedly destructive typhoon season. Severe Tropical Storm Trami (local name Krisitne), Super Typhoon Man-Yi (local name Pepito), and Super Typhoon Usagi (local name Ofel), among others, have left a trail of devastation across the country, particularly in Region V (Bicol). The cumulative impact of these storms has overwhelmed communities, leaving millions of Filipinos vulnerable and struggling to access basic needs. Based on the assessment of UNFPA, the urgent needs to be addressed include: 1. Restoration of health services: Immediate rehabilitation of damaged health facilities and provision of essential reproductive health equipment, medicines, and supplies; 2. Protection and psychosocial support: Establishment of safe spaces and strengthening of community-based mechanisms to prevent and address Gender-based violence and provide mental health support; and 3. Targeted assistance for vulnerable groups: Focused outreach to pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups to ensure their specific needs are met.

UNFPA is also implementing the second phase of the “multiyear prepositioning programme” (2023-2025), funded by DFAT, anticipatory action preparedness activities, and the ERC flagship programme which are initiatives to support Government and CSOs to ensure SRH and GBV life savings services, gender equality, improving SRHR services, responding to and preventing gender based violence (GBV) and integrating of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) during humanitarian response and to ensure adequate preparedness.

Emergency preparedness, humanitarian assistance, and resilience building are integrated in UNFPA’s work in the Philippines and are important aspects in CP9. UNFPA, in line with its global strategy, contributes to strengthening capacity to provide SRH services, GBV prevention and response and the use of population and rights-based data in humanitarian settings.

The Position:

The SRHiE Analyst is responsible for coordinating and monitoring the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) interventions for the Reproductive Health Coordinating Team/RH Working Group in DOH Regional Health Offices and Provincial Health Offices affected by the recent typhoons to ensure the continuity of life-saving reproductive health services in the disaster-affected areas, including maternal health, family planning, ASRH and HIV/STI services.

The Analyst will maintain collaborative relationships both at the national and local government levels, non-government organizations, civil society, and sister United Nations agencies. Also, s/he will lead the SRH programme of the UNFPA Humanitarian Response in Region V (Bicol) and provide guidance to the implementing partners of UNFPA with technical direction from and close collaboration with the CO Programme Unit Heads (SRH, GBV, A&Y, PD, and Humanitarian). S/he will undertake humanitarian programme-related assignments to other priority sites of the UNFPA 9th Country Programme (CP9), as necessary.

The Analyst will be under the direct supervision of the International Humanitarian Nexus Coordinator, with overall supervision from the Assistant Representative.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025) reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices. These results capture UNFPA’s strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. The UNFPA Strategic Plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of disasters on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize its goals. 

In the Philippines, UNFPA is implementing its 9th Country Programme 2024-2028 (CP9). CP9 is tightly aligned with the mid- and long-term development goals of the Philippines and Ambisyon Natin 2040, the SDGs, and the ICPD Programme of Action.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, UNFPA needs principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; it needs staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Working closely with the other members of the UNFPA Humanitarian Response team and under the direct supervision of the International Humanitarian Coordinator, the SRHiE Analyst will be the focal point for coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting on SRH-related humanitarian activities in Region V and in other priority CP9 sites as necessary,  ensuring the continued availability of life-saving services, as well as mitigation of social and economic impact of the emergencies. Under the framework of the Minimum Initial Services Package (MISP), the Analyst helps promote SRH programming and SRH services (including reproductive, maternal and adolescent SRH, family planning information and services, STI/HIV prevention, care and treatment, and the health sector response to survivors of GBV) in crises and post crises situations. S/he also leads in planning for the procurement and distribution of emergency medical supplies and equipment; strengthens and reinforces UNFPA’s lead role in SRH through the established coordination mechanisms; and contributes high quality technical assistance to government and non-government counterparts.

The Analyst also assists in establishing relevant partnerships with other humanitarian stakeholders, NGOs, donors and government counterparts.  S/he will work closely with the focal points in government, implementing partners, development partners and civil society to ensure continuity of SRH services in the sites. When the situation stabilizes, the incumbent guides partners in the establishment of comprehensive SRH services.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The SRHiE Analyst will be responsible for: 

SRH-related programmatic support to and quality assurance of the on-going UNFPA humanitarian responses

• Contribute to the conduct of rapid assessment/s of SRH needs of the affected population and analyzing data and information to inform program design and implementation;
• In coordination/consultation with the International Humanitarian Nexus Coordinator, represent UNFPA in relevant inter-agency/sector meetings, consultations and workshops, provide feedback on SRH at sub-national and local level to key stakeholders in Region V, the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and other CP9 areas in the country, as necessary;
• Support UNFPA’s implementing partners in co-leading and ensuring the functionality of the regional and provincial SRH coordination mechanisms;
• Support the SRH-related strategic planning related to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Region V, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and other CP9 areas in the country, as necessary;
• Following the standards and technical guidance for implementing the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), contribute to the SRH-related project formulation, implementation and evaluation and joint programming initiatives across clusters while also providing technical guidance to integrate the humanitarian-development nexus perspective;
• Lead and support the UNFPA implementing partners (IPs) in expediting the formulation and implementation of their annual work plans (AWPs);
• Provide quality assurance to the implementation of SRH activities, ensuring their adherence to international technical standards and guidance;
• Oversee distribution of emergency RH kits, equipment and medical supplies as well as dignity kits, to meet the needs of implementing partners other identified NGOs for RH services, monitor distribution and ensure utilization reporting;
• Conduct monitoring visits, ensuring a systematic approach for tracking coverage of targeted populations by UNFPA assistance in humanitarian settings, and ensuring that the SRH needs of the affected populations are adequately met;
• Daily monitoring of implementation of AWP activities;
• Support the preparation and submission of SRH-related reports to donors, UNFPA Country Office/APRO/HQ, and other oversight agencies, as necessary;
• Contribute to the documentation of lessons learned and challenges in SRHiE programme implementation, development of situation reports (SitReps), regular progress reports, and other information products;

Partnership and resource mobilization

• Contribute to the building of 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 RPRH Law and MISP for SRH in the field;
• Contribute to identifying and coordinating potential resource mobilization initiatives and opportunities to further widen and diversify UNFPA’s investments on SRHR in the field; and
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Country Representative, Assistant Representative, and/or the International Humanitarian Nexus Coordinator.

Qualifications and Skills required:

• Advanced degree in health sciences or public health or any other relevant field of study.
• Two years working experience in public health;
• Previous work experience on Sexual and Reproductive Health services, including networking with maternal health and other SRH services providers is a distinct advantage;
• Previous humanitarian work experience; and
• Excellent computer literacy. 

Languages: 

Proficiency in Filipino and English required.  Knowledge of local languages in the Bicol Region is an asset.

Required Competencies: 

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

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.