Country: United States of America
Closing date: 28 Jan 2017
Program Overview
This position sits within the Technical Services Unit, which is part of the Technical and Program Strengthening Department (TAPS) department. The Technical and Program Strengthening Department (TAPS) coordinates, manages and increases visibility and funding for Pathfinder International programs. TAPS provides support to determine the strategic direction of Pathfinder programs and to ensure the alignment of programmatic and technical realities in the field with organizational strategies. TAPS also provides strategic leadership of all technical aspects of Pathfinder International’s programs. In close collaboration with Pathfinder’s field and Headquarters staff, TAPS conceptualizes and plans program development activities and builds on country and international best practices.
The Technical Services unit is comprised by three teams – the Integrated System Strengthening Team, the Implementation Learning Team, and the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Team. This position sits within the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Team.
Position Purpose
The Senior Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health (AYSRH) Advisor I will work closely with other AYSRH technical advisors to provide technical expertise to enhance the overall quality of Pathfinder’s AYSRH programs in alignment with Pathfinder’s global AYSRH strategy. The Senior AYSRH Advisor I will work within and across countries, as well as across technical areas, to help build capacity to implement more strategic AYSRH interventions and programs in line with national and global health agendas.
In addition s/he will support Pathfinder’s visibility as a technical leader in AYSRH through participation in technical consultations and meetings, development of presentations and publications, and contributions to technical dialogues in the US and internationally. S/he will also contribute to Pathfinder’s learning around AYSRH, including fostering cross-country learning, conducting analysis of programs, and contributing to technical documentation.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
- Collaborates with the Senior Technical Advisor for AYSRH I and the Technical Advisor for AYSRH II to finalize and advance Pathfinder’s global AYSRH strategy, including in the areas of contraception, abortion, maternal health, HIV, and rights as they relate to adolescents and youth
- Provides technical assistance in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of Pathfinder's AYSRH programs including programs that focus on the intersection between gender equality and AYSRH
- Provides capacity building in AYSRH and the intersection of AYSRH and gender equality to Pathfinder staff and local partners including government and civil society partners
- Supports quality improvement and quality assurance with regard to global and field-based AYSRH program implementation and materials (including supporting development and use of AYSRH quality standards)
- Develops/updates/adapts and/or reviews and/or disseminates AYSRH materials and technical tools/curricula
- Conducts or coordinates a variety of AYSRH trainings (e.g., on youth-friendly services, peer education, community-based strategies to reach first time parents, etc.).
- Conducts or coordinates assessments of youth-friendly services, peer education programs and other youth interventions
- Serves as either a technical lead, technical writer, or inputter on project proposals for the USG and foundations.
- Ensures research results and best practices related to AYSRH are incorporated into practice and programs
- Adopts and disseminates guidelines, standards of practice, protocols and other tools to improve quality AYSRH and gender programming and services
- Participates on both country support and technical teams and task forces
- Participates in and facilitates South-to-South learning, exchange visits/study tours and networking in various initiatives in the regions, including virtual content area teams (VCAT)
Technical leadership, visibility, and external relations
- Participates in development, preparation, and dissemination/publication of technical papers, documents, tools, and peer reviewed journals related to AYSRH and gender.
- Establishes and maintains working relationships with counterparts in other agencies (e.g., WHO, USAID, international NGOs, and other service delivery projects/organizations).
- Participates in listserves or meetings related to AYSRH and gender, and disseminates technical updates, best practices, and lessons learned to HQ staff and field offices.
- Participates in and presents at regional and international conferences, technical consultations, meetings, and working groups/coalitions related to AYSRH
- Collaborates with Advocacy Unit to support AYSRH advocacy activities domestically and globally
- Works with partner organizations (both government and NGO) and other stakeholders, to design and implement evidence-informed strategies.
- Works with Pathfinder staff to identify new opportunities for Pathfinder to develop innovative approaches in AYSRH programming
- Increases Pathfinder’s technical visibility through contributing to social media, including participating in technical listserv discussions, writing blog posts, and contributing to other social media platforms.
- Presents on behalf of Pathfinder at external technical events, including conferences, webinars and other technical events hosted by Pathfinder or partner organizations.
Basic Requirements
- Master’s of Public Health or other related degree
- Minimum of ten years related experience in international public health/sexual and reproductive health
- Demonstrated technical expertise in AYSRH, including at least two years specifically working in the field of international AYSRH
- Demonstrated technical expertise in gender, particularly the intersection of gender and AYSRH
- Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights, contraception and HIV and AIDS issues, programs and projects
- Knowledge of behavior change and social norm change processes and programming, particularly as they related to AYSRH
- Demonstrated proposal development experience with USG and private foundation opportunities
- Experience working in a developing country
- Strategic thinker with ability to write clearly and express complex concepts
- Ability to analyze and use quantitative and qualitative data to articulate strategy and opportunities for programmatic interventions or course-corrections
- Commitment to the mission, vision and values of Pathfinder International
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills with an emphasis on being thorough, detail-oriented, with ability to multi-task and work under tight time-lines
- Ability to work as a team member with minimal supervision
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Willingness to travel at least 30%
- Willingness to lead and provide technical inputs to USG and foundation proposals a minimum of 15-20% time
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Computer proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as design and layout programs
Preferred Qualifications
- Fluency in French
- Minimum of two years living and working in a developing country or countries
How to apply: