Project Officer, Emergency Response to Maternal Mortality-For Japanese Nationals

Mission and objectives

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA is formally named the United Nations Population Fund. The organization was created in 1969, the same year the United Nations General Assembly declared “parents have the exclusive right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children.” UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services – including voluntary family planning, maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Liberia is currently implementing the 5th Country Programme. While the current country programme aims to contribute to the attainment of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, within the context of universal health coverage; the programme is guided by UNFPA’s Strategic Plan (2022-2025) – and is the call to action for accelerating the achievement universal access to sexual and reproductive health through UNFPA’s three transformative results of (a) ending the unmet need for family planning; (b) ending preventable maternal deaths; and (c) ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, including FGM and child marriage in the country. UNFPA Liberia country office received approval of the Japan Government Supplementary Budget for a 12-month emergency response to the high rate of maternal mortality in three high burden districts of Montserrado County. The goal of the project is to reduce the high risk of death from preventable childbirth complications among vulnerable women and girls residing in deprived rural, peri-urban and slum communities in Montserrado County.

Context

The project will achieve the following four outputs: Output 1: The infrastructural capacity of John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital (JFK) and Two Health Centers is improved to provide fully functional Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Services Output 2: The supply of essential life-saving medicines, commodities, supplies and equipment for three (Two Health Centers and JFK Hospital) facilities is improved to deliver quality comprehensive integrated maternal and newborn care services Output 3. The managerial and clinical capacities of health managers and skilled providers is strengthened in three health facilities (two health centres and JFK hospital). Output 4: Three health facilities have functional health information management systems for adequate data collection, management, and quality assurance systems to inform planning and decision-making. The Project Officer has a key role to support the implementation, monitoring and follow up of the project to ensure the timely efficient delivery of high-quality emergency response to the maternal health emergency in the geographical area of project focus The Project Officer has a key role to support the implementation, monitoring and follow up of the project to ensure the timely efficient delivery of high-quality emergency response to the maternal health emergency in the geographical area of project focus. The Project Officer will work closely with UNFPA Emergency Focal Point, and the Ministry of Health Team set up for the implementation of the Project. In addition, the Project Officer will work with JICA to ensure the seamless integration of the 5 S Model for the capacity enhancement of the three health facilities. The Project Officer will produce weekly Situation Reports (Sitreps) to inform management about the project progress, monitor and update the project risk matrix and promote strong adherence to accountability and transparency in the emergency response.

Task Description

Under the supervision of the Emergency Focal Point/ Reproductive Health Specialist of UNFPA Liberia, the Project Officer will perform the following tasks: Project support (Emergency Response) ● Support the development of project work plan ensuring clear timelines for important deliverables in line with the project document. ● Follow up on the implementation of the project work plan including follow up on all project procurements to ensure adherence to policies and standards and timely delivery. ● Attend and contribute to the project management team, document the minutes and follow up on the implementation of agreed action plans ● Prepare weekly situation reports (Sitrep) about the emergency response highlighting any significant change in the context and the progress of the emergency response. ● In collaboration with the UNFPA and Partners’ Communication Teams, develop press materials including press releases, media briefs, fact sheets about the implementation of the Japanese Supplementary Budget response to maternal health emergency in Liberia. ● Support the development and implementation of the donor visibility plan for the project including audio and visual materials. This includes the development of social This includes the development of social media content on ongoing activities, ensuring appropriate donor visibility for the project ● Support the three health facilities to develop/customise ICT tools to track service delivery impact for women and girls along the continuum of care and response (antenatal, delivery and post-natal interventions) of the project ● Serve as the day-to-day focal point between UNFPA and the Ministry of Health/ County Health Team in the follow up of the project implementation. ● Lead and coordinate reporting on the implementation of the programme as per agreed reporting requirements and tools ● Monitor and update the project risk matrix and support efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the project implementation. ● Establish collaborative relationships with all relevant project stakeholders including the Ministry of Health Central, County Health Team (Montserrado) and the leadership of the 3 Health Facilities. ● Ensure that inventory management are in place and utilised for all project procurements and support the logistics management and supplies for the timely delivery of services to the health facilities. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: ● Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); ● Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. ● Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. ● Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. ● Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. ● Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Competencies and values

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

Liberia, Africa’s oldest Republic, is located at the western edge of the continent, on the Atlantic coast between Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire. The population of Liberia is 5.2 million and contains about 16 different ethnic groups. A large percentage of Liberia’s population lives in the capital. The UNV will be based in Monrovia the capital city of Liberia. The climate features a wet season and a dry season, but precipitation is seen even during the dry season. Temperatures remain constant throughout the year averaging around 26.4 °C (79.5 °F). Some visitors may feel cold during the day and evenings in the rainy season; also, most rooms are air-conditioned, so it is suggested that appropriate clothing (light sweater or jacket) be brought along. The country is generally safer, except for petty crimes, especially in the cities. It is mandatory to complete the United Nations Security course BSAFE. The current UN security level for Liberia is level 2. Upon arrival in the country, all UN staff receive a security briefing from UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS). Security recommendations from UNDSS must be followed by all UN Staff and UN Volunteers during their assignments in Liberia. There are hotels and guesthouses in various county capitals that are comfortable and have electricity and security. All UN Staff and UN Volunteers are to use only UN-approved guest houses and hotels. A gym is also available at the One UN House for all categories of staff based on the presentation of the UN ID Card. The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications, and other basic needs. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.