Policy and Advocacy Consultant for the Caribbean Observatory (two (2) positions available) - Spotlight Initiative

THE UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND (UNFPA)

Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean invites applications from suitably qualified individuals

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

The main purpose of the consultancies is to spearhead the development of evidence-based advocacy materials (policy briefs 1-3 & 4-6) for the Caribbean Observatory on (SRHR).

BACKGROUND

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) lies at the centre of development with the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), 1994, establishing linkages between reproductive health, human rights and sustainable development. There is a great need to mainstream sexual and reproductive health and rights while promoting gender equality and nondiscrimination, preventing and addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and enhancing accountability. Improving the lives of adolescents, youth and women ensures the integration of human rights, gender equality and population dynamics.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the sexual and reproductive health and rights agency of the United Nations. Our mission is to deliver a world in which every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young persons’ potential is fulfilled. UNFPA is working with governments, civil society, regional partners and other UN agencies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with specific focus on Goal 3 (health), Goal 5 (gender equality), and Goal 10 (reduced inequalities).

The English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean is part of the United Nations “delivering as one” initiative, and as such, the UNFPA Country Programme for the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, is aligned to the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (UNMSDF) 2017-2021.

UNFPA’s programme applies a human rights and culturally sensitive approach, supported by evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue to address issues of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender equality, youth and population dynamics. At the heart of UNFPA’s support in the Caribbean, is its work towards improving the enabling environment for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), building national capacities to advocate for and deliver policies
and programmes for access to SRH information and services, as well as strengthening legal and protection systems for the implementation of laws, policies and programmes to prevent gender-based and sexual violence against women and girls. 
 

Scope of work – inter alia

A.    Prepare evidence-based advocacy policy briefs (as part of a series) on the following issues/themes:

(Briefs 1-3)

1. Empowering young people: The need to eliminate social and legal barriers that limit access to SRH information and services for young people;
2. Enacting legislation that guarantees CSE for youth in an out of schools: Towards a better future;
3. Protecting the most vulnerable: The importance of legislation to prevent compulsory withdrawal of pregnant learner and guarantee re-entry;

(Briefs 4-6)

4. Reducing unwanted adolescent pregnancies in the Caribbean: Beyond abstinence-only approaches
5. The impact of early unions: Raising the minimum age of consent to marry;
6. Decriminalising medical termination of pregnancy: The impact on women and girls

The briefs are aimed at decision-makers in governments across the region and should include policy options and recommendations for particular actions to be taken to deal with the issues.

They should, among other things:

• Be clear, succinct; focused and easy to read;
• Not exceed 1500 words in length;
• Be based on firm evidence drawing from various credible sources; and
• Should be relevant to the big issue of advancing integrated SRHR/GBV within the region.

Submission Details

Interested Individual Consultants should submit their Application packages by Friday, April 21, 2023 by email to vacancy.sroc@unfpa.org ONLY and register in UNFPA Consultants Roster via this link: http://consultantroster.unfpa.org.  

To apply, kindly submit application letter and CV to:

Vacancy #: 2023/SRHR-PA 

The Spotlight Initiative

14-20 Port Royal Street, Kingston
Email:  vacancy.sroc@unfpa.org

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Note:

• There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. 
• UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status. 
• UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.