INTERSOS – 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 – Afghanistan
Code: 28-2240
Duty station: HQ (50%), Kandahar (50%)
Starting date: 14/03/2022
Contract duration: 6 months
Reporting to: Medical Coordinator, Head of Medical Unit HQ (funcitonal supervisor); Head of Mission (hierarchical supervisor)
Supervision of: 1 technical staff

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 unit, as technical focal person for the sexual and reproductive health component.
Develop a framework for SRH related activities in order to support INTERSOS in building the capacities to improve the reproductive health package integrated with primary health care.
Work in close collaboration with the Afghanistan mission providing technical support to the mission and 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.

Main responsibilities and tasks

HQ:
Elaborate standard INTERSOS SRH policies, protocols, procedures, and guidelines for sexual and reproductive health activities (antenatal care, postnatal care, management of GBV cases, family planning, vaccination, management of sexual transmitted diseases etc) to ensure minimum quality of standard of care
Collaborate with the Medical Unit, logistics and HR department to develop BEmONC capacity within INTERSOS programme
Develop the MEAL component for SRH including suggestions of specific indicators, and adapting or creating need assessment tools
Propose a strategy and an implementation plan to roll out policies, protocols, procedure, and guideline in line with INTERSOS health programmes
Develop practical tools and support supply chain management for reproductive health services, including supporting procurement and management of reproductive health commodities and supplies
Develop a training package for field staffs on sexual and reproductive health activities
Collaborate with Protection Unit to align SGBV activities with health programmes
Collaborate with Medical Unit and HR department to guarantee the respect of standard Job Descriptions for SRH staffs
Provide direct support to the field for the implementation of INTERSOS policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines
Provide technical input to review the reproductive health package for the local communities (including health promotion materials) Support in mapping international and/or regional reproductive health fora/subcluster/working groups
Afghanistan mission:
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
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
Ensures field visit and supervision in the areas of implementation of technical activities, Kandahar and Zabul province
Ensures data management and analysis in line with the standard designed (DHIS2, google studio)
Actively represents INTERSOS with sectorial cluster or working group

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

Professional Experience
Minimum 4 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