Specialist on Reproductive Health

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNFPA works through five-year country programmes, with the current one approved for the period 2021-2025 and one of largest programme portfolios focuses on Reproductive Health. In the context of the upper middle-income country, this will be achieved by supporting high quality, inclusive and affordable reproductive health services with increased investments in family planning to reach the furthest behind and strengthen accountability mechanisms for health governance. As such the Ministry of Health is a strategic partner and focuses on improving quality of Reproductive Health services. It mainly includes such components as advisory support to the policy development, health financing, advocacy, capacity development, and procurement, in the following thematic areas such as family planning, maternal health, including midwifery services and cervical cancer. Policy advisory support and advocacy requires research and data processing. Research and analytics are the essential part of our work. International UNV Specialist can be instrumental in literature review to compile the modules needed for the midwifery education or simulation scenario for maternities, or to find solutions in health financing for better effectiveness of service provision for vulnerable women. During the global pandemic the national reproductive health service provision was affected by limitations in movement among regions and from regions to the capital. Logistical challenges affected the supplies of RH commodities. Even though vaccination rate among general population was high up to 72 % the rate among pregnant women was low in 2021. UNFPA continues to monitor the situation on the ground working closely with the UN country team and the Ministry of Health with a focus on reproductive and maternal health, and family planning areas.
The United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030) is a global collaboration, aligned with the last ten years of the Sustainable Development Goals. Active aging is the idea that older adults are healthy enough to be involved with their friends, families, and communities, and that this involvement leads to better social, physical, and mental health. UNFPA envisions its support to active aging by providing older adults with opportunities for their life connected to their social circles and intergeneration dialogue with young people. Life span in Turkmenistan slowly going up and estimated now at 69 which it is still lower than it could be. Healthy ageing is one of approaches UNFPA in Turkmenistan is planning to promote for longer, healthier and happier life. IUNV contribution in this area through knowledge and experience sharing would be highly welcome. The UNV Specialist will support the office and the Ministry of Health in the implementation of National Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child, and Adolescent Health Strategy for 2021-2025 by promoting innovative solutions within the communities and national system. He/she will also work in close collaboration with the UN Country Team, especially other UN agencies working in the area of health.

Under the direct supervision of Reproductive Health Programme and overall guidance of the Head of Office, the UN Volunteer Specialist will contribute to the effective management of UNFPA programmes in the area of reproductive and maternal health. S/he will help to put together and analyse research data and information to plan formulation, implementation, monitoring, and assessment of programming initiatives on reproductive health. The UN Volunteer Specialist will specifically undertake the following: - Undertake research, literature reviews, secondary data analysis in such areas as maternal health, reproductive health, including for women with disabilities, health financing and others; - Adapt and contribute to regional and global work on reproductive health in UNFPA; - Developing analytical products and briefs in the area of maternal health, family planning, and prevention of cervical cancer, and emerging areas such as healthy ageing; - Contribute to the development, formulation and implementation of the reproductive health programme strategies and plans, including for health behavioural change interventions among women, girls and wider communities. - Content development in the area of health communication and education for girls and women; - Develop communication package on COVID vaccination and general preventive measures for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. - Assist in monitoring, assessments and preparing reports and briefs on programme activities in the area reproductive health and maternal health; - Outline the plan of actions on restoring RH services in post pandemic period and monitor its implementation. - Suggest the new innovative methods of reaching out women furthest behind in the “new normal” phase of recovery after global pandemic. - Contribute to advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the Country Office by preparing documentation in the area of reproductive health and maternal health, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events. - Help to create and document knowledge about trends in the areas of reproductive health and maternal health by analysing programme, projects, strategies, approaches and ongoing experience for lessons learned, best practices, and shares with management, programme team, partners, and the UN Country Team for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies. - Participate and contribute to the work of the UN Agencies supporting the implementation of the national RMNCA Health Strategy to advocate for issues within the UNFPA mandate, assist in developing strategic partnerships with UN agencies in order to enhance UN coordination, and strengthen the overall UN agencies’ performance on reproductive health into all key policies and programmes. - Help to establish partnerships with stakeholders, private sector and civil society to promote the programme outcomes. - Other support which may deem to be necessary for the programme delivery;

☒ Accountability ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Self-Management ☒ Working in Teams

above-mentioned areas of education • Demonstrated interest and/or experience (3 years) in reproductive and maternal heath in the context of international development; • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; • Experience or academic research in the areas in public health, and international development programmes; • Understanding of the global public health development agenda.

The UNFPA Turkmenistan Office consists of approximately 12 employees all located in the capital city Ashgabat. Turkmenistan is located in Central Asia. Turkmenistan is divided into five administrative regions (velayats): Ahal, Balkan, Lebap, Mary and Dashoguz, each consisting of several districts (etraps). Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan located in the southern part of the country and the country’s largest city. Security: The current security level in Ashgabat is minimal. Ashgabat is considered generally a safe city, where normal use of common sense and acting responsibly takes one a long way. Public transport is safe to use. There are no direct threats towards the United Nations and its staff in Turkmenistan. Housing: Apartments and flats are easily available and generally of good condition, with well working services (gas, electricity, water). The cost of housing is reasonable, although smaller apartments and certain locations close to foreign embassies and the UN House tend to be more expensive. The country office can assist UN Volunteers in identifying suitable housing. Cost of living and services: Housing is the largest monthly expense, and the cost of living is otherwise very affordable. Daily food and products are inexpensive, as are many services. Local transportation ranges from buses to taxis, which are all affordable. Weather: It has a relatively warm winter with the temperature range in general from 0-10 Celsius Degree and hot, dry summers. Medical services: Turkmenistan has reformed and developed the field of national healthcare, making it a multipurpose system of social protection. Large-scale work is carried out in Turkmenistan for health protection of people. The national system of health protection progressively develops. The Government pays a big attention to health and well-being of the population which is being supported by Mass sports infrastructure basic principles and skills needed for a healthy lifestyle. Currently there’s a number of modern medical facilities with medical aid available 24/7. Turkmenistan’s health-care system is being modernized with high-tech medical equipment. Prevention, detection and treatment of various infectious diseases in the country is steadily improving and international cooperation is growing stronger. Comprehensive measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory infections such as COVID-19 in Turkmenistan.

There are many healthcare facilities in the capital city of Ashgabat and healthcare services are generally accessible, UNFPA team has also a Health Sector Lead who can facilitate the right provider.

UNFPA Turkmenistan Country Office will provide detailed and updated information to the selected incumbent before boarding.