In pursuit of the ideals of excellence, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy. The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international development.

The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria seeks the services of two consultants - one for Anglophone countries and the other for Francophone countries to develop an undergraduate curriculum on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Africa.

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The importance of SRHR in the enjoyment of the right to health cannot be overstated. SRHR remain an important part of our daily lives. The realisation of SRHR is essential for the enjoyment of other rights such as rights to life, health, equality and non-discrimination, dignity, liberty and freedom from torture, inhumane and degrading treatment. For many people in Africa, access to sexual and reproductive health information and services has remained a serious challenge. This is exemplified, , in the rates of teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortion, maternal deaths, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV that have continued to increase in leaps and bounds. Meanwhile, access to contraception services and other means of avoiding sexual and reproductive ill health remains an unmet need. This has resulted in high mortality and morbidity in many parts of the region. Worse still, the numbers of academics and advocates working to advance SRHR are few therefore, making it difficult to advocate for policy reforms on SRHR in the region. Conservative attitudes coupled with lack of knowledge on the part of policy makers, lawyers and judges have served as stumbling blocks to promoting the respect, protection and fulfilment of SRHR.

While some universities across Africa offer human rights law as an elective course, not many offer SRHR as a course at undergraduate level. This is a serious gap that undermines the potential to advance SRHR issues in the region. Teaching of SRHR issues at undergraduate level has many benefits. First, it will equip future lawyers and judges on SRHR issues. Second, it will generate debate on neglected or hardly discussed SRHR issues that are important to the African region. Third, it will serve as an opportunity to equip future policy makers, academics, or administrators on issues related to SRHR. Lastly, it will generate the interest of students at the earliest stage of their lives to enrich their knowledge on SRHR.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The consultants will be responsible for developing curricula for Anglophone and Francophone countries (One consultant for Anglophone, and another for Francophone. While the consultants are expected to work independently, they are encouraged to liaise with each other). The consultants are expected to produce the following:

• A detailed curriculum each on SRHR topics for undergraduate students across Africa;
• A document explaining the rationale for the content of the curriculum; and
• A list of individuals or institutions that can provide information on undergraduate teaching on SRHR,

The work is to be completed as per the following timeline:

The position is home-based.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Postgraduate degree in law, development, gender or social sciences with about 6 years’ experience working in the field of SRHR.
• Experienced teaching gender, sexual and reproductive health, women’s rights issues at the undergraduate or postgraduate levels.
• Good knowledge of the African human rights system.
• Knowledge on policy framework on SRHR in Africa.
• Ability to synthesize materials of diverse nature.
• Experience in desktop and qualitative research.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES)

• Enthusiasm for SRHR.Analytical skills.
• Excellent research and inter-personal skills.
• Highly motivated with ability to meet deadlines.
• Confidence and the ability to be proactive and work independently.

In applying for this post, please attach the following documents and send the email to rutendo.chinomona@up.ac.za  

• An expression of interest

• A detailed technical and financial proposal, with some clear proposed timelines for producing the curriculum, and
• A sample of a similar task or any report.

CLOSING DATE: 31 July 2024 / ENQUIRIES:  rutendo.chinomona@up.ac.za

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.