Individual Consultancy – Build Back Equal Project Consultant Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)

Purpose of Consultancy

The UNFPA Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean (SROC) supports 22 English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries and territories in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, and population and development priorities. Through a portfolio of regional and country-level programmes, SROC provides technical assistance, policy support, and capacity building to governments and partners across the sub-region.

Under the Build Back Equal (BBE) Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), UNFPA is supporting Dominica, Saint Lucia, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to strengthen rights-based SRHR programmes, with a focus on creating an enabling policy environment and strengthening coordination mechanisms for SRHR, support provision of quality SRHR services by CSOs; technical assistance to Ministries of Health to effectively forecast, procure, distribute and track the delivery of sexual and reproductive health commodities.

As the project enters its final year, it is imperative to accelerate implementation to ensure all targets are met within the project period. The consultant will, therefore, play a pivotal role in supporting project execution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider BBE programme under the direct guidance of the Liaison Officer, Barbados and the OECS with technical guidance from SROC Sexual and Reproductive Health Advisor.

Scope of work/Main tasks and responsibilities, et al

Under the overall guidance of UNFPA and in close collaboration with Ministries of Health and relevant stakeholders, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist in the implementation of BBE project components including focused on gender and youth development, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) and in building/strengthening strong partnerships with relevant stakeholders including the national government agencies, international donor and development organizations, academia and civil society.
• Facilitate the integration of youth in programming, promoting linkages to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence in close collaboration with ONE UN process.
• Assist in capacity development of programme implementing partners to incorporate gender, human rights and youth issues into their plans.
• Contribute to developing and implementing innovative approaches in programmes and communications on empowerment of women, girls and youth with special attention to inclusion of vulnerable groups.
• Support the enhancement of partnerships for young people in the country working closely with other UN agencies.
• Contribute to the effective implementation of programming interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on monitoring and results framework and enhanced impact.
• Support the financial and substantive monitoring of projects, identifying operational and financial concerns and proposing solutions.
• Map and consolidate lessons learned and stories of change for improved programming and advocacy.
• Prepare communication materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare inputs for corporate and BBE project reports.
• Contribute to environmental scanning to support the implementation of the BBE and UNFPA programming.
• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

A. Project Management & Delivery (50%)

• Work Plan Oversight: Contribute to the formulation and implementation of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) with government and civil society partners (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development).

• Partner Coordination: Manage relationships with Implementing Partners (IPs) to ensure implementation of the project and timely submission of financial and narrative reports.

B. Technical Analysis, M&E and reporting (25%)

• Data Synthesis: Analyze national health and census data to identify trends in adolescent pregnancy, GBV prevalence, and contraceptive prevalence rates (CPR).
• Results-Based Management (RBM): Develop and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure project impact against the Caribbean Sub-Regional Programme goals.
• Environmental Scanning: Provide continuous analysis of the political and social climate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to identify risks to the ICPD (International Conference on Population and Development) agenda.

C. Communications, Advocacy & Knowledge Management (25%)

• Communications: Draft communications materials for internal and external audiences (including Briefing Notes, Talking Points, Press Releases, inputs for newsletters and social media).
• Policy Dialogue: Support advocacy and policy dialogue with the government to support the approval and implementation of national strategies and policies related to SRHR and gender equality.
• Stories of Change: Document "best practices" and lessons learned from the Build Back Equal (BBE) project or humanitarian responses (e.g., post-volcanic or hurricane recovery) for national and regional dissemination.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

EDUCATION

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Public Policy, Gender Studies, Social Work, Development Studies, International Relations, and/or related Social Sciences field preferred

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in SRHR/ASRH, GBV, CMR, IPV, and/or STI programming.
• A minimum of two (2) years relevant experience in youth and community development engagement, advocacy and communications
• Experience working with Ministries of Health and UN agencies, preferably UNFPA.
• Demonstrated experience developing communication products.
• Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills in English.
• Knowledge and experience in Caribbean and Latin American contexts is an asset.

LANGUAGE

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines independently.
• Cultural sensitivity and political acumen in engaging stakeholders. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.   

Note: 

• There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. 
• UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
• UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life.  We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.