Organizational setting and reporting relationships: The consultant will work in the International Development Programme of the Division of Programmes of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. In performing her/his duties, the consultant will report to the Programme Manager for International Development.
Accountabilities: Within delegated authority, the Project Officer will be responsible for the following:
- Support and devise capacity-building activities for parliaments to address key legal, programmatic and financial challenges affecting progress on health in their countries, particularly for marginalized populations.
- Organize and implement, in cooperation with targeted parliaments, the various activities to strengthen parliamentary capacities and engagement on health.
- Provide support for and coordinate preparation of IPU publications in the area of health.
- Support the mobilization of parliaments and organization of activities at the global level (e.g. IPU Assembly, World Health Assembly, UN High Level Meetings).
- Monitor project expenditures within approved funding and keep administrative records in respect of project activities.
- Draft activity reports on the implementation of the project for submission to donors and IPU governing bodies.
- Provide material for publication on the IPU website and in other media on project activities and results.
- Collect data and prepare parliamentary input into global monitoring and reporting processes on health.
- Identify opportunities for cooperation with relevant entities and projects and propose steps to implement such opportunities.
- Provide, as requested, other assistance in areas relevant to the IPU’s work on health.
Deliverables:
- Capacity-building activities are conducted in two parliaments.
- Agreements and work plans with WHO, PMNCH and GAVI are implemented.
- Support is provided to the IPU President, Secretary General, Chair of the Advisory Group on Health and other IPU office holders for their high-level engagements (SUN Movement Lead Group, PMNCH governance structures, other high-level meetings and events).
- Preliminary data is collected for the 2023 report on implementation of the IPU resolution Achieving universal health coverage by 2030: The role of parliaments in ensuring the right to health.
- Relevant activities are coordinated with FAO and the SUN Movement and nutrition is included in the IPU’s activities on health and development as appropriate.
- Assistance is provided to the Secretary of the Advisory Group on Health.
- Relevant health activities are organized at the IPU Assembly in March 2023 and other global forums.
- Relevant tools for parliamentary engagement on health are produced and the recent health-related handbooks are promoted and used in relevant activities (on women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health, global health security and universal health coverage).
- Lessons on the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups are drawn from implemented activities and applied to future ones.
- Support is provided for the inclusion of sessions on health in regional seminars on the SDGs and for the organization of other SDG activities that deal with health issues.
- Narrative and financial reports to donors are compiled and submitted.
- Activity reports on the implementation of the health component of the IPU Strategy are prepared and submitted to the IPU governing bodies.
- Other assistance in areas relevant to health and international development is provided as requested.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
- Parliamentarians, Secretaries General/Clerks of parliament, parliamentary staff;
- Officials from the United Nations and other partner organizations;
- Members of the IPU Secretariat.
Competencies:
- Professionalism: Good knowledge of global health issues and current political affairs. Knowledge of the functioning and structure of national parliaments is desirable.
- Planning and organization: Demonstrated organizational skills; ability to establish priorities and to plan and monitor own work plan and meet deadlines. Demonstrated use of initiative in facilitating the production of a complex work product. Personal attributes of self-motivation, tact, sound judgment and a preparedness to accept responsibility.
- Communication: Ability to write and communicate orally in a clear and concise manner.
- Technological awareness: Advanced knowledge of MS Office; advanced use of the internet including the use of social media tools.
- Teamwork: Aptitude for human contacts and resourcefulness. Team spirit. Adaptability to varying working environments and conditions.
- Commitment to continuous learning: Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the relevant fields and to develop own skills.
Requirements:
- University degree in political science, law, international relations or related fields.
- Good knowledge of project management tools and techniques.
- At least three years of proven experience in managing projects in an international environment. Demonstrated ability to achieve expected results and outcomes.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Excellent reading, writing and speaking skills in English and a working knowledge of French.
- Work experience with projects involving parliamentarians is a distinct advantage.
Dates and conditions:
The consultancy will run from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2023 (109 working days). The consultant will be based at the IPU Headquarters in Geneva with the possibility of teleworking upon agreement.