National Expert – NOB.
Closing date: 29 Apr 2025 11:59 PM (America/New_York)
Duty station: Dakar

The Position
The National Expert supporting the DSME is a key contributor to the effective execution of DSME activities benefiting from technical and/or financial support from UNFPA Senegal, particularly in the context of implementing the SRMNIA-N Strategic Plan 2024-2028.
He / She will make a substantial contribution to the formulation, implementation, technical and financial monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of interventions, ensuring alignment between national policy/program frameworks and, UNFPA’s strategic directions.
Positioned within the DSME Team, the National Expert’s day-to-day activities is supervised by the Director of Maternal and Child Health (DSME), who will contribute to the annual evaluation conducted by UNFPA. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Reproductive Health Unit, he will work closely with the Canada & Lux Project Coordinator.
You will report to the Deputy Resident Representative.

How you can make a difference
UNFPA is the lead 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 and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards 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.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need 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; we need 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
As part of the implementation of the 9th Cooperation Programme between the Government of Senegal and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the 2024-2028 period, a strategic partnership is being developed with the Ministry of Health and Social Action (MSAS) through the Directorate of Maternal and Child Health (DSME).
This partnership primarily focuses on providing an integrated package of quality services in reproductive health/family planning/ maternal and neonatal health, nutrition, and adolescent/youth health, benefiting women, adolescents, and youth, including in humanitarian emergency situations.
To consolidate the achievements of this partnership and ensure ongoing performance in the implementation of the Programme, UNFPA is recruiting and assigning a National Expert to support the DSME in achieving the goals aimed at reaching the three transformative results centered on: i) zero preventable maternal deaths; ii) zero unmet need for family planning; and iii) zero gender based violence and harmful practices, including female genital mutilation and child, early, and forced marriages.

You would:
Ensure excellence in program management, implementation, monitoring/reporting, and evaluation of the program signed with UNFPA, including in humanitarian emergencies, through the following specific tasks:

• Develop and implement an individual annual work plan focused on results, and ensure its follow-up/reporting. A mid-term evaluation and an annual evaluation will be conducted jointly by the DSME and UNFPA.
• Serve as the liaison between the DSME and UNFPA for all matters related to the implementation of the Program.
• Participate in UNFPA’s statutory meetings, including:
• Program/Operations meetings
• Expanded management meetings
• Staff meetings
• SR Unit meetings
• UNFPA annual retreat
• Support the development of Work Plans (PTA) for the DSME and its partners, ensuring that their signatures are completed on time.
• Ensure the follow-up of the preparation and implementation of activities for the Quarterly and Annual Work Plans (PTA) UNFPA -DSME, according to funding sources.
• Participate in preparing the quarterly and annual activity reports of the DSME PTA, ensuring their availability within the required deadlines.
• Report on the progress of activities under the 9th Program.
• Prepare/participate in the sessions of the National Technical Committee and the Project Steering Committee: i) Integrated Project for Strengthening Reproductive Health of Women, Youth, and Adolescents in Senegal, funded by Global Affairs Canada; ii) Projects under the partnership with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; iii) Muskoka Program, etc.
• Assist in the development of terms of reference, administrative notes, service contracts, evaluations, studies, or training related to the implementation of the Program.
• Participate in organizing and facilitating activities under the PTA.
• Take part in mid-term reviews, assessments, and planning of the 9th Program.
• Follow up on the IP Agreement between the DSME and UNFPA.
• Participate, by invitation from UNFPA and in agreement with the Director of the DSME, in all meetings where their presence is required.
• Maintain regular contact with UNFPA program officers.
• Support the quarterly monitoring of the implementation of the 9th Program and identify technical, programmatic, and management constraints related to the DSME’s PTA and its AAF allocation, proposing solutions.

Ensure Efficiency in the Management of Financial and Material Resources, Including in Humanitarian Emergency Situations, through the following specific tasks:
• Prepare, in collaboration with the Administrative and Financial Assistant, and with the signature of the Director of DSME, the quarterly fund request documents, ensuring consistency between technical activity reports and financial reports.
• Facilitate the execution of spot check missions, pre-audits, audits, and evaluations at the DSME level.
• Ensure proper follow-up on the implementation of recommendations from spot checks, pre-audits, audits, evaluations, and monitoring, particularly related to sessions of the Technical Committee and the Steering Committee of the Integrated Project for Strengthening Reproductive Health of Women, Youth, and Adolescents in Senegal, funded by Canada.
• Monitor expenses and disbursements related to work plans and projects, ensuring their implementation in line with approved budgets and targeted performance levels.
• Provide quarterly updates on the implementation of recommendations resulting from monitoring, evaluation, supervision, and audit activities.
• Support the update of SIS indicators for the 9th Program.
• Prepare an annual activity report to be submitted to the parties (DSME-UNFPA) at the end of the year.

Strengthen Advocacy/Partnership and Resource Mobilization for SRMNIA-N, through the following specific
tasks:
• Participate in the production of experience capitalization documents and lessons learned in the implementation of the Program.
• Contribute to advocacy and resource mobilization efforts for SRMNIA-N by preparing appropriate documentation and assisting in the development of proposals.
• Ensure follow-up on synergistic actions (evaluations of specific PTA initiatives, participation in special days and events, activities related to obstetric fistulas, etc.).
• Contribute to strategic reflections on all aspects of the 9th Program and provide input.
• At the request of the Director of DSME, engage in discussions between the DSME and sectoral institutions and relevant ministry departments involved in PTA implementation.
• Disseminate useful information related to the 9th Program to other stakeholders and authorities.
• Support the scaling-up of innovative SRMNIA-N interventions, including the quality of care.
• Initiate/Support operational research on sexual and reproductive health and the quality of care services, including at the community level.
Collaborate on all other tasks necessary for the proper functioning of the UNFPA Program and perform any other duties as requested by management.


Qualifications and Experience
Education
A University degree in Health, Social Sciences, or relevant Demography (at least a Bachelor’s degree + 4 years).


Knowledge and Experience
• At least 5 years of experience in Health Program Management
• In-depth knowledge of the National Health System.
• Knowledge of the United Nations System and/or UNFPA’s mandate and strategies regarding SRMNIA-N.
• Proficiency in computer tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, email, etc.).
• Knowledge of social media networks: Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Languages
The working language will be French. However, some documents in English will need to be used by the Resource Person as part of their activities.

Required Competencies
Values:
• Be a model of integrity
• Demonstrate full commitment to NFPA and the United Nations system
• Be open to cultural diversity
• Be open to change
Core Competencies:
• Achieving results
• Demonstrating responsibility
• Acquiring and demonstrating professional expertise and business acumen
• Conducting analytical and strategic thinking
• Working as a team and under pressure. Self-managing and managing relationships
• Communicating effectively and persuasively

Functional Competencies
• Excellent ability to manage the formulation, implementation, execution, and technical/financial monitoring and evaluation of development programs/projects in the sector
• Excellent analytical, synthesis, writing, and oral communication skills
• Development and management of results-oriented programs
• Building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Advocacy and resource mobilization
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills
• Ability to focus on results and respond positively to partner requests
• Strong conflict resolution skills, with the ability to maintain constructive attitude at work
• Strong ability to meet deadlines
• Resource management for the organization
• Good proficiency in computer and digital tools (Office Suite – Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc. – and Internet)
• Management of data, information, and workflow.
Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

Compensation and Benefits
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.