We are a global team of experts and innovators tackling some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. We work with leaders and change makers around the globe to bring health strategies to life. We provide ideas, advice and technical know-how that enable our partners to build a path to lasting change.

With 30 years’ experience in global health, we collaborate with our partners to explore existing evidence, combine expertise, scale up ideas and co-create solutions that accelerate change. This includes collaborating on policy design, managing initiatives, building powerful coalitions and galvanising social movements. Our impact is felt across whole communities, with a focus on women, girls and those who have been marginalised.

As part of MSI Reproductive Choices, all our profits go back into supporting MSI’s own mission of children by choice, not chance.

We believe in a world where everyone can access the high-quality health services they need, without financial burden

Options is a leading UK-based consultancy organisation providing technical and management expertise in the health and social sectors to governments and international development partners to transform the health of women and children. We provide information, expertise and influence to governments, health workers, NGOs and businesses to catalyse change so that health services can be accessed by the people who need them most.

Long- and short-term technical assistance will cover a range of health-related areas falling under 3 pillars: 1) strong health systems; 2) human rights, gender and equality, including sexual and reproductive health and rights; and 3) healthier environments including WASH, climate and health, nutrition and air pollution. Assignments will adopt a cross-cutting approach and focusing on policy alignment, coordination, planning, implementation and identifying evidence gaps that need to be filled.

• Providing flexible support on EPD and EPD-related matters to FCDO country teams sharing knowledge on EPD approaches, best buys and cutting-edge evidence, as well as supporting coordination and prioritisation of interventions, and where needed, providing support to policy development and advocacy in-country.
• Provide in-depth technical support to FCDO country teams and local partners on public health, health system strengthening, and sexual and reproductive health, as well as related issues such as nutrition and WASH.
• Manage proactive and responsive relationships with FCDO in close collaboration with Options staff and the EPD Support Programme team.
• Develop local networks and where possible using local expertise.
• Foster long-term EPD partnerships with FCDO, government and partners to tackle deep and complex ‘bottleneck’ issues.
• Coordinate with other health sector projects and implementing organizations to ensure alignment and harmonisation with other programming where appropriate.
• Work closely with the wider EPD Support Programme team and Options’ global team to support the delivery of the project.
• Support Options in developing an overarching log frame for monitoring progress and evaluating successes of the EPD Support Programme.

• Strong understanding of the UK government’s development strategy, EPD Plan, HSS paper and related strategies (e.g. Women and Girls strategy, etc)
• Proven track record in working in international development and excellent understanding of the international development system.
• Expertise and experience working on health system strengthening, primary health care and a good knowledge of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.
• Experience in providing TA to government and other institutions working in the health sector.
• Proven ability to represent organisations and programmes at the highest levels internationally, regionally and nationally.
• Strong external liaison and negotiation experience fostering partnerships between Government and other stakeholders. Familiarity with government practice and protocol.

Application process

To apply, please share your CV and a cover letter summarising the following information:

• Relevant skills and experience
• Nationality
• Country of residence
• This opportunity will come to tender via an FCDO Framework and rates are highly competitive and tied to contractual framework bandings, therefore please state your most competitive quote in £GBP assuming applicable income tax would be deducted from this figure. As this would be a 0.75 full-time equivalent role for up to 3 years, please quote both a daily and the monthly equivalent figure.

Location:Bangladesh, DRC, Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Somalia, Kenya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria.

The closing date for applications is 31 August 2023.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview on a rolling basis.

Other information

• Options is dedicated to equal opportunity for all and recognises that every individual is unique. Whilst we always seek to embrace individual differences and celebrate the diversity of our workforce, we also want to ensure that every team member is suited to their role and that they are given the best opportunity to succeed.
• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment.
• We seek people who are pro-choice, promote diversity and inclusion, are energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision.