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UNFPA-SRH Specialist-P3-Kousseri, Cameroon

Kousseri, Cameroon
Position Title: SRH Specialist
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3
Location: Kousseri, Cameroon
Duration: 6 months
Language: Fluency in English and French is required. 

Mission Specific Considerations
Physical deployments
Pre-departure considerations for physical deployments
Does this duty station require candidates to have undertaken SSAFE training? If so, can the office provide training upon arrival? SSAFE is mandatory for Kousseri. Surge must have it as no training is scheduled before the end of 2024.

UNDSS organizes regular sessions - however next one will not take place before the end of 2024.
Visa
Are there any special/new, specific visa considerations that need to be considered?
No special visa requirements but the online visa process can take up to 2 weeks.
Equipment
Is there any equipment that the Surge should become equipped with prior to travel, e.g. PPE such as masks, gloves, sanitizer, etc?
Radio, sim card and laptop will be made available.
Malaria is endemic in Kousseri. Surge might bring preventive treatment.
Is there any other paperwork that the local government authorities require upon entry/re-entry into the country? No
On mission considerations (for physical deployments):
Accommodation
What type of accommodation is available for Surge deployees?
Availability of furnished apartments cleared  by UNDSS, Three conventional hotels, Other accommodation in town subject to UNDSS certification. (Surge own financial planning)
R&R
Is the duty station on an R&R cycle and if so how often?
Yes, R&R is granted every 6 weeks
Medical Treatment
Are there any government restrictions or limitations that would adversely impact in-country medical treatment plans or medical evacuation?
No
Office arrangement for telecommuting
If the Surge needs to telecommute within the country, can the country office demonstrate that the deployee is realistically able to work in terms of remote connectivity, equipment, etc.?
The internet connectivity within the country, even though relatively good, can experience temporary interruptions.
Equipment
If the Surge is required to physically deploy, can the country office provide necessary equipment, e.g. masks, gloves, sanitizer?
Yes.The country office will provide all materials and equipment to ensure the surge is fully equipped to carry her/his functions.
 

Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request

Severe flooding in Cameroon's Far North region in July and August has affected over 158,620 people, as of August 28, 2024. This includes an estimated 38,069 women of reproductive age among whom around 4,133 are currently pregnant.  The hardest hit areas are Mayo-Tsanaga, particularly the Mokolo subdivision, where there are limited sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) services, in addition to the Mayo-Danay and Logone-and-Chari divisions.   Flood-related damage to infrastructure and farmland has led to displacement and disrupted access to various SRH and GBV services, including facilities supported by UNFPA. Two maternal deaths have already been reported in Mada and Fotokol. The risks of GBV have increased for women and girls due to the disruption of services, the breakdown in community support networks, and the lack of hygiene and menstrual supplies.  A multi-sectoral humanitarian response coordinated by OCHA and national authorities is underway; UNFPA is responding to SRH and GBV needs. Top priorities identified across the response include food security, shelter, non-food items (NFIs), health (including SRH), and water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH).  Ongoing heavy rains and the risk of disease outbreaks, including cholera, are posing additional challenges and could further exacerbate the situation.

In addition to the current floods situation and other natural disasters that might be recurrent, it is important to underline that the Far North of Cameroon is grappling with a more than a decade long instability marked by community conflicts, violent extremism and epidemics, affecting approximately nearly one million persons in 2024. Updated 2024 HRP data estimates there are  573,263 people displaced due to violence and natural disasters including IDPs, and refugees from Nigeria, and nearly 200,000 returnees. In the Far-North region, widespread insecurity and attacks have led to the destruction of basic health infrastructure and the fleeing of health personnel, reducing the availability of sexual and reproductive health services and qualified personnel. Since beginning of the crisis in the Far-North region approximately 11 health facilities (Amchidé, Moskota, Ouzal, Goldavi, Bargaram, Tchika, Ashigashia, Bonderi, Toufou, Kosa and Maga) have been destroyed and more than a dozen closed for insecurity and 22 non-functional. At least 2 nurses were murdered and several others injured during attacks. This situation has led many health personnel to abandon their posts and are part of the 7% of civilian employees who have definitively abandoned their posts. Additionally, there has also been a reduction in access to health, education and psychosocial support to deal with maternity, trauma and abuses, including sexual violence. Disruption of social services in many localities in the Far-North region forces people to walk long distances to access them, increasing their exposure to human rights violations.


Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)

In comparison with 2023, the Far-North region’s Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs) attacks have increased. 90% of them occurred in the Logone-et-Chari, Mayo-Sava, and Mayo-Tsanaga divisions. Clashes between NSAGs and State Security Forces (SSFs) have similarly increased. Rural areas remain particularly affected as national security entities are concentrated along the main roads with less control over other locations; An observation also shows the resurgence of IEDs with an increased frequency of incidents of this nature recorded in Mayo Tsanaga and Logone et Chari for some time. It is necessary to respect humanitarian principles in close connection with the security measures in this Area. Tourou and its surroundings have become centers of interest and theaters of terrorist operations with the recent incidents recorded in this area. UNDDS protocol applies armed escort in various UNFPA programming areas.
 
Role Description: Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA CO Representative, guidance by the Deputy Representative and direct supervision of the Humanitarian Coordinator, and under the framework of the Minimum Initial Services Package (MISP), the incumbent helps promote Sexual and Reproductive Health programming (SRH) and SRH services in crises and post crisis situations. The incumbent also facilitates the procurement and delivery of emergency medical supplies and equipment; orients on SRH related issues (including reproductive, maternal and new-born health, family planning information and services, STIs and HIV prevention, caret, and care for survivors of violence). The incumbent also assists in establishing relevant partnerships with other humanitarian stakeholders, NGOs, donors and government counterparts. When the situation stabilizes, the incumbent guides on the establishment of comprehensive SRH services.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

MISP Rollout and Programme Implementation:
  • Conduct/Lead rapid assessment/s of SRH needs of the affected population
  • Co-lead with national partners the RH technical working group (Far North Level) under the Health Sector that has been established for the response
  • Oversee (in collaboration with the country office supply chain unit and its team leader) procurement of emergency RH kits, equipment and medical supplies as well as dignity kits; develop a distribution plan to meet the needs of implementing partners other identified NGOs for RH services, monitor distribution and ensure utilization reporting.
  • Based on MISP projection and rapid assessment findings, implement the MISP (Minimum
  • Initial Service Package) through RH working group implementing partners
  • Oversee (with the M&E officer) the monitoring of MISP implementation.
  • Explore other opportunities and entry points to deliver SRH services for specific at risk vulnerable groups affected by the crisis, e.g.: uniformed personnel, sex workers, ex- combatants, women associated with armed forces, persons with disabilities, etc.
  • Initiate and coordinate training sessions on SRH in emergencies (for health care providers, community services officers, security personnel, refugee/IDP population, host population, etc.).
  • Assist in developing/adapting protocols for selected areas in programme coordination (such as syndromic case management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), referral for emergency obstetric care, midwifery, fistula repair, medical response to survivors of rape, counselling and family planning services, etc.).
  • Coach and support COs to strengthen the implementation of MISP – sexual and reproductive health priorities and to assess progress towards achievement with technical tools and approaches, and to accelerate implementation of activities funded through CERF and UNFPA Emergency Response Fund.
  • Provide inputs for SitReps and other communication products, as required.
  • Ensure an effective response that integrates SRH (including ASRH), GBV, data interventions and taking into account epidemics and public  health emergencies (Cholera, MPox, Covid-19…ect) .
  • Develop an exit strategy, which includes the transition to evidence-based, comprehensive SRH programmes.

Partnership:
  • Ensure SRH needs are addressed within the Health Sector and within OCHA Situation Reports.
  • Maintain working relationship and share relevant information with Health Sector led by WHO
  • Liaise with UNHCR to provide SRH services and commodities (MH lifesaving medicines, contraceptives, male and female condoms under the existing UNHCR condom partnership, etc.) for refugee populations.
  • Establish strong linkages between existing SRH, GBV and Cash transfer  programmes with regard to the health sector response for survivors of sexual violence.

Resource Mobilization:
  • Assist CO in developing proposals and fund raising for SRH programming.

Monitoring and Evaluation:
  • Monitor SRH/HIV and AIDS assistance provided by UNFPA through implementing partners to crisis affected populations, in particular IDPs/returnees, and ensure adequate RH/HIV and AIDS requirements are being met.
  • Conduct monitoring visits, if requested.
  • Maintain a database on SRH commodities and supplies dignity kits and share information with coordinating UN agencies and host communities - NGO and government implementing partners.
  • Provide support to humanitarian projects reporting and monitoring and evaluation to ensure quality SRH service delivery .

Capacity Development:
  • Provide coaching to newly recruited staff and consultants, where appropriate.
  • Coach and build capacity of staff members and staff of implementing partners responding to humanitarian/emergency crises, as needed.


Any Other Duties:
  • Perform any other duties as required by the Representative, RO/SRO, and HQ


Qualifications and Skills Required:
  • An advanced University degree in Medical sciences or public health, or equivalent qualifications;
  • 5 or more years working experience in the field of reproductive health, preferably in the UN system or INGO;
  • Experience in coordination and implementation of Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health;
  • Humanitarian experience and international experience are of added advantage;
  • Fluency in oral and written French and English is required
  • SSAFE training certificate is mandatory. 

 
 
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.

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