Junior Professional Officer (Adolescents and Youth, Sexual and Reproductive Health) – Benin

Background
Adolescent and youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights are part of the key elements of the current 8th Country Programme document of Benin Country Office. The country itself has a youthful population: more than 50% of the populations being bellow the age of 25.

Indicators relating to sexual and reproductive health are not very good and adolescents are contributing to roughly 30% of maternal mortality and morbidity and this is compounded with social norms like early and forced marriage, violence against women and girls, etc. For all these reasons AYSRHR is among priority interventions of the 8th programme.

The Country Office in Benin has 31 staff members of whom one international staff on maternal health in addition to the Representative. The Office is physically located close to UNDP office in a residential neighbourhood.

Training component: Learning elements and expectations

Upon completion of the assignment the JPO will have/ will be able to:

• Formulate, monitor and evaluate programmes.
• Appraise and prepare project proposals.
• Manage and monitor projects within the UNFPA programmes and sub-programme using the log frame.
• Undertake project budget preparations, revisions and reprisals.
• Write assessment reports on progress of project implementation.
• Organize and provide substantive inputs in project review meetings.
• Work as a team member in a multicultural setting.
• Understand the United Nations development assistance framework (UNDAF) and UN reform principles.
• Understand UNFPA’s mandate, policies and procedures.
• Assists in the preparation of periodic progress reports on the achieved results: successful initiatives.

The JPO training programme includes the following learning elements:

• The JPO position includes a Duty travel and training allowance (DTTA) of $ 4.000 per year which may be used for learning activities related to the assignment and career development.

Content and methodology of supervision

As part of the UNFPA JPO programme overall framework, the JPO will benefit from the following supervision modalities:

• Structured guidance provided by the supervisor, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing the responsibilities of the JPO.
• Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results.
• Effective supervision through knowledge sharing and performance/development feedback throughout the assignment.
• Easy access to the supervisor.
• Participation in Unit/Team/Office meetings to ensure integration and operational effectiveness.
• Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise.
• Completion of the yearly UNFPA Results and Competency Assessment (RCA).
• If more than one supervisor; clear agreement of the roles and responsibilities between the relevant parties.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the Authority and guidance of the UNFPA Representative in Benin, the Junior Professional Officer will assist the UNFPA Country Office in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the UNFPA Country programme, sub-programmes and projects to ensure that the outcomes are in line with UNFPA’s policies and procedures especially UNFPA youth and adolescent strategy, the United Nations development assistance framework (UNDAF/UNDAP) and the national youth and Reproductive Health policy and strategy.

Responsibilities:

• Working on the implementation of issues of young people as they appear on the above mentioned documents;
• Assists in the collection and analysis of data on national youth strategy with specific reference to youth leadership and their Sexual and reproductive health rights;
• Partnership building and resources mobilization: assists in the preparation and formulation of;
• Project documents/ initiatives/ sub-contracts required for the implementation of activities;
• Related to youth leadership, including project descriptions, work plans and budgets;
• Advocate for reproductive health commodities and especially availability and accessibility of;
• Male/female condoms for young people including availability at Youth Centers;
• Act as UNFPA Focal point for Youth issues on SRH with international partners and the other UN agencies;
• Prepare regular briefing note/factsheet for the website and/or regional Office/ donors for public information;
• Undertake any other duty assigned by the Representative as part of the JPO career development prospect.

Competencies

Key competencies

• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master degree or equivalent in the field of Demography, Sociology, Economy, Anthropology, Law or other related social science
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with qualifying experience (at least 3 years of relevant working experience) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree
• Part of the candidates’ academic training (Bachelors or Masters) must have taken place in a developing country that appears on the following list of eligible countries of the Dutch JPO Programme: http://www.nedworcfoundation.nl/pdf/List%20of%20eligible%20developing%20countries%20-%202015.pdf

Working experience:

Two to maximal 4 years relevant working experience, in adolescent and young people reproductive health and sexuality education issues. Prior experience in developing countries is an asset including internships and voluntary work

Languages:

Fluency in French. Knowledge of English (other working languages of the UN) is an asset.

Nationality:

This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands and is addressed exclusively to NATIONALS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES THAT APPEAR ON THE LIST OF THE FOLLOWING COUNTRIES ELIGIBLE FOR THE DUTCH JPO PROGRAMME:

http://www.nedworcfoundation.nl/pdf/List%20of%20eligible%20developing%20countries%20-%202015.pdf

Nationals of Bangladesh are NOT eligible.

For criteria see the website of Nedworc Foundation: http://www.nedworcfoundation.nl/Index.htm?hoofdpath=/NL/JPO/General%20Information.htm&hoofdhash

For more information about the JPO Programme and this vacancy, kindly visit: http://www.jposc.undp.org/content/jposc/en/home.html

Please read the criteria and FAQ section carefully before considering applying.