I. Introduction/Background:
A national study conducted in 2012 found that 696,000 women were treated for postabortion complications in health facilities throughout Pakistan (267,000 were treated in public facilities). Unsafe abortion is a serious public health issue of Pakistan. There are 2.2M induced abortions each year and more than 85% of these are handled by midwives and traditional birth attendants who are not trained in the use of safe abortion technologies. Many women with abortion complications go untreated due in part to the fact that the care provided falls short of desirable standards: staff are not adequately trained, methods used for uterine evacuation are often outdated and unsafe, female staff are in short supply, and appropriate equipment and technologies are lacking (Z. Sathar, et al., 2013). Additionally, majority of Pakistani population resides in rural areas with poor healthcare and very limited access to life-saving maternal health services – majority of the women from these areas rely on untrained service providers for abortion care.
Since 2007, Ipas Pakistan along with public and private health sector aims to decrease death and injury from unsafe abortion in Pakistan through socially and culturally sensitive interventions, including training health-care providers, supporting the sustainability of safe reproductive health technologies, and strengthening national partnerships in support of women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. Unintended pregnancies and complications that arise from unsafe abortions are tragically common experiences for millions of women and girls in Pakistan.
We are planning to hire a Policy and Communications Officer for effective support to policy unit at Ipas Pakistan, regarding planning, implementation and evaluation of donor funded projects and related deliverables and milestones.
I. Period of Performance: May 17, 2023 to June 30, 2024
II. Place of Performance: Islamabad- Office Based
III. Scope of Work:
This position will support in all follow ups, technical and operational matters, coordination, and admin related matters of the policy projects and to coordinate with relevant stakeholders for accomplishment of projects and related tasks on time. The Policy and Communications Officer will work under supervision and support of the unit lead as a liaison between the project related partners and Ipas team. Further as following:
- To coordinate and follow-up with technical consultant/s of the projects on timely deliverance of the project deliverables
- To provide technical input on the project related documents/reports/materials
- To coordinate and liaison with country admin and finance team for conduction of unit activities
- Troubleshoot any issues faced in smooth conduction of the unit activities.
- Perform any other task assigned by Unit lead and country director.
IV. Reporting: Policy and Communications Advisor
V. Deliverables/Milestones:
a) Planning and Budgeting
1. Draft quarterly activity Micro plan and budget plans and tracks the progress of the activities per workplan under the guidance of unit lead.
2. Coordination with admin and finance team for all travel and logistics arrangements related to unit activities
Due Date: Daily basis up to June 2024.
b) Execution, Management and Coordination
1. Assist unit lead in planning and execution of activities per Micro plan in timely manner I.e., coordination with stakeholders and securing meeting dates, drafting of meeting agenda, ppt development, facilitate the meetings/activities on activity day.
2. Lead coordination with meeting participants and partners to ensure their participation in unit activities and expand the networks and identify new local partners.
Due Date: Daily basis up to June 2024.
c) Reporting, Tracking and Writing
1. Tracks and monitors the unit activities through available tools and reports to R&E.
2. Provide technical support in developing presentations, materials and reports, donor reports, concept notes, technical recourses related to workplan activities.
Due Date: Daily basis up to June 2024.
Monthly Progress Report and Time Sheet must be submitted with superviosr by last working day of every month.
Qualifications/ Experience:
- Pakistani national
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, Communications, Health/Population Policy, Gender studies or related qualification in relevant field, Master’s degree would be preferred
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and experience with monitoring and adjusting strategies for programming as needed to achieve project goals.
- Experience in working with health/population policies and/or communication strategies and campaigns.
- Experience with, or a demonstrated commitment to, supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights of all women.
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2-5 years of relevant experience, including:
- Experience in program planning and coordination/management
- Experience in workshop and meeting facilitation and planning
- Good public speaking and writing skills.
- Experience working in a non-profit organization.
- Established relationships with public health organizations and the public sector.
- Fluent in English and other relevant local languages
- Willingness to travel in the field up to 40% and work additional hours when needed.
Ipas is strongly committed to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, and inequity. We recruit, employ, train, promote, and compensate our personnel without regard to race, age, sex, religion, national origin, color, creed, ancestry, citizenship, caste, ethnicity, regional identity, tribal identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic protected by law or outlined by Ipas policy. Ipas acknowledges that these personal characteristics may differ in different contexts.
