Reproductive Health Expert – Afghanistan

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Reproductive Health Expert

Code: SR-28-2626

Duty station: Kandahar

Starting date: 01/08/2022

Contract duration: 12 months

Reporting to: Medical Coordinator

Supervision of: 1 technical staff

Dependents: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

Over 40 years of conflicts and political turmoil have taken a massive cumulative toll on the people of Afghanistan. A total of 18.4 million people, almost half of the total population, have been estimated by the UN to need humanitarian assistance prior to recent events. Severe droughts are recurring in Afghanistan, currently resulting in nearly 14 million people in acute food insecurity, with over 3 million children facing severe malnourishment. The recent displacement of 550,000 people is adding to an estimated 2.9 million people who remain internally displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance, while winter months are around the corner.

INTERSOS has been working in Afghanistan since 2001, with a country office in Kabul, and field bases in Kandahar and Zabul provinces. In recent years INTERSOS has been focusing its assistance based on integrated community-based approach that includes primary health care (including sexual and reproductive health care), nutrition and protection programmes serving conflict-affected populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, with a special focus on socially excluded individuals, including women, children and persons living with disabilities.

With its operational approach and active engagement with the communities, INTERSOS has been enjoying strong community acceptance and operational access. All INTERSOS activities continue to be implemented in Afghanistan at present time, with no operational restrictions and with full inclusion of female staff. It is widely anticipated that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation may deteriorate further, given that the international support to key essential and social services – food aid, health, education, and other essential services, is currently frozen. Although humanitarian aid can not replace this gap, the international assistance that prioritises urgent humanitarian needs will be essential.

At the same time, unless the operational environment with all its impediments (including in relation to banking/cash transfers and counter-terrorism measures) does not improve, the response will continue to be a challenge.

Recognising that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will require a more intensified international humanitarian assistance, INTERSOS remains in Afghanistan to deliver its ongoing activities, and potentially scale up its response.

General purpose of the position

Work in close collaboration with the medical department in the Afghanistan mission providing technical support to ensure that reproductive health package, including Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC), respect international standards and are in synergy with primary health activities in line with INTERSOS SOP on SRHR.​

Main responsibilities and tasks

• Propose a strategy and an implementation plan to roll out policies, protocols, procedure, and guidelines in line with INTERSOS validated documents.
• Ensures capacity building for technical staff (Medco, Deputy Medco and Midwife Activity Manager) appointed to the reproductive health activities in line with the policies, procedures and guidelines designed with the support of the developed training package for field staffs on sexual and reproductive health.
• Collaborates closely with the mission staff (Medco, programme Co and PMs) in the planning, supervision, evaluation, and readaptation of the technical activities in line with the policies, procedures and guidelines designed on SRHR.
• Ensures field visit and supervision in the areas of implementation of technical activities, in Kabul, Kandahar and Zabul province.
• In collaboration with Logistic and Medco, in line with INTERSOS SRHR SOP, support the supply chain management for reproductive health services, including supporting procurement and management of reproductive health commodities and supplies.
• Collaborate with MedCo and the HR department to guarantee the respect of standard Job Descriptions for SRHR staff.
• Support on the MEAL component for SRH including suggestions of specific indicators and in the use of need assessment tools in line with INTERSOS SOP.
• Collaborate with the Protection Unit to align SGBV activities with health programmes.
• Ensures data management and analysis on SRHR in line with the standard design.
• Actively represents INTERSOS with a sectorial cluster or working group.

Required profile and experience

Education

University degree in midwifery. Desirable clinical background and focus on Reproductive Health​

Professional Experience

• Minimum 2 years’ experience managing reproductive health programs in low resource/emergency settings
• Field experience in BEmONC (basic emergency obstetric and new-born care)

Professional Requirements

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)
• Analytical and creative thinking
• Capacity to negotiate
• Results orientation
• Service orientation

Languages

English mandatory​

Personal Requirements

• Initiative and innovation
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles