Sexual and Reproductive Health in Emergencies (SRHiE) Specialist

Major responsibilities:

• Support the Institutionalization of the SRHiE (MISP) at all levels of IRC’s emergency response architecture (30%)
• Engage in internal advocacy and capacity strengthening on the MISP at all levels, proactively identifying and resolving gaps in IRC’s preparedness and response systems, tools and resources 
• Support standardization of SRHiE M&E systems/practices, including reviewing needs assessments, emergency response plans and proposals from country programs to ensure MISP standards are met in all emergency health responses
• Coordinate and maintain SRHiE response resources including but not limited to STEP, emergency rapid needs assessment tools, technical tools and libraries/dashboards with ERT support. 
• Support SRH analysis across emergencies, including trend analyses across health programs in delivery, and as requested for regional and country programs engaged with emergency response and preparedness activities.
• Technical Assistance to IRC SRHiE (MISP) Responses (20%)
• As required, make extended TA visits to support the implementation of the MISP as part of emergency health programming start-up in complex or large-scale emergencies (20% of time and maximum 6 weeks for single visit). This is inclusive of, but not limited to, responsibilities such as:
• Rapid needs assessments, evaluation/learning efforts, or other accountability support functions;
• Provide technical support for SRHiE programming, including identifying capacity gaps in technical aspects and determining strategies/modalities to address them.;
• Ensure program quality, accountability and consistency in MISP programming led by IRC’s local and national partners by providing remote and occasionally in person technical assistance, training and socializing systems and tools.
• Support the identification of strategic SRHiE partnerships with NGOs and government entities as part of emergency preparedness efforts. 
• Champion a culture of effective and respective partnerships across the Emergency Health team. Promote partner-led programming in line with IRC’s “why not partner?” approach. 
• Following an emergency response, work with Country Programs to evaluate the MISP response, collect lessons learned, and support subsequent preparedness actions to address identified gaps.
• Advise and train IRC and/or IRC partners on MISP tools and resources for emergency preparedness, early action and response, as needed.
• Support Global Efforts for Advocacy and Accountability for the MISP in all Emergencies (40%)
• Support the design, launch and implementation of IRC’s new Center of Excellence for SRHiE
• Support the development and dissemination of IRC’s SRHiE field experiences, lessons learned, and practical global learning on MISP implementation 
• Work with members of the Health Unit and EmU to develop a global MISP monitoring platform to raise real-time awareness among key global and national stakeholders about key gaps in MISP implementation in order to better direct resources to the places most in need. 
• Conduct strategic advocacy to donors, partners, multi-laterals and other humanitarian stakeholders to promote improved commitment to and increased resources for the MISP in every emergency and help ensure no crisis is left behind.  
• Maintain strategic relationships with and contribute to initiatives led by key humanitarian stakeholders for SRHiE, including the Interagency Working Group for Reproductive Health in Crises, the SRH Task team within the Global Health Cluster, etc.
• Business Development and Grant Management (10%)
• Lead or contribute to the development, review and submission of strategic proposals and concept notes around IRC’s innovative programming related to health in emergencies, aligned with the Emergency Unit SAP, Emergency Health strategy and other identified strategic priorities.
• Provide support to emergency health response and preparedness awards, inclusive of awards focused on subawards to partners (maximum 1 per year).
• Team Culture
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with EmU, TechEx and Regional colleagues and continually promote a culture of partnership and collaboration
• Cultivate and maintain a positive, collaborative, safe and protective work environment, while additionally setting an example of ‘One IRC’-way of working within the team, EmU and the wider organization
• Contribute to efforts across EmU to promote gender equality, diversity and more inclusive practice across our programming and our ways of working 

Key working relationships:

• Position Reports to: Senior Technical Advisor of Emergency Health
• Position directly supervises:  Could potentially supervise occasional interns 
• Indirect reporting: Global Practice Lead, SRHR
• Other contacts:  Close working relationships with all sectors in the EmU Quality in Emergencies (QiE) team, across EmU and the Health Unit, (including SRHR technical team members, advocacy colleagues, regionally aligned Health Unit TAs assigned to specific countries,) notably ERT/EST Health Coordinators, as well as the Preparedness, Response Management, and Deployment teams, and regional leadership and Country Program focal points. 

Job requirements: 

• Education: Master of Public Health, or equivalent, with background in SRHR; A medical/nursing/midwifery degree is a strong plus
• Work Experience: Approximately 7+ years of progressive public health related international field experience in SRH in low income countries and humanitarian settings, including experience implementing the MISP. Experience in SRHR program implementation, monitoring & evaluation, and learning management, technical tools development, data analysis and advocacy is required. 
• Field Experience: 4-5 years of field experience preferred, including at least 2 years implementing SRH programs in humanitarian settings

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated expertise in SRHR programming, planning and implementation.
• Strong track record of support values clarification and attitudes transformation around SRHR, especially for contraception and abortion care. 
• Effectiveness in bridging conceptual frameworks and practical guidance, ability to turn concepts and strategy into measurable and relevant action.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to facilitate effective collaboration within the organization externally with local partners.
• Excellent capability to represent the IRC in forums in emergency settings and excellent communication skills including the ability to deliver presentations to professional, lay and donor audiences;
• Proven writing and editing skills, including the ability to effectively write and edit grant proposals and reports; 
• Effective people and program management skills in acute emergency contexts: the ability to train, lead and manage staff productively under stressful circumstances;
• Ability to work with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams and proven ability to develop positive relationships with global, local and remote team members, while providing and coordinating context-appropriate technical assistance. 
• Proven ability to deliver results under pressure and in a timely manner. 
• Strong track record as a capable trainer and facilitator, able to effectively transfer technical knowledge and skills 
• Demonstrated success in working with donors, partners, project design, and business proposal development.