The Position:

The Programme Specialist, MNH Partnerships and Advocacy reports directly to the Health Adviser Midwifery and Human Resources under the overall supervision of the Maternal Health Thematic Fund (MHTF) Coordinator. This position is in the MHTF team based in the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Branch of UNFPA HQ (Nairobi).

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Under the overall supervision of the Maternal Health Thematic Fund (MHTF) Coordinator, the MNH Partnerships and Advocacy Specialist will help to strengthen strategic partnerships and coordination mechanisms for a range of organizations and actors working on midwifery and human resources for health, EmONC and MNH service delivery, PHC and UHC including NGOs, government partners, UN agencies and other national and international organizations.

This specialist will also contribute to the development of communications and advocacy materials and document best practices and lessons learned in MNH, particularly related to midwifery, the EmONC network approach, service delivery redesign in the context of PHC and UHC.

The MNH Partnership and Advocacy Specialist duties include: building and sustaining partnerships, advocacy and communications, event and information management.

Building and Sustaining Partnerships

• Support the establishment and coordination of a new inter-agency, multi-sectoral midwifery coordination platform linked to EPMM-EPMM
• Support the coordination of the MHTF flagship initiative Global Midwifery Acceleration Roadmap
• Support the organization and coordination of work plan activities for other coordination platforms to strengthen midwifery education (i.e: AIME: Alliance to Improve Midwifery Education), EmONC, and MPDSR.
• Facilitate collaboration with stakeholders and partners to strengthen midwifery services.

Communications and Advocacy

• Develop relevant MNH (Midwifery/EmONC/MPDSR) communications and advocacy materials including social media and website content, media materials and global advocacy brochures
• Support the development of briefing notes, talking points, speeches on MNH/SRHR
• Support the coordination and planning of high-level interagency meetings, webinars, workshops and conference events on MNH.
• Support with the development of all relevant donor reports.

Technical support for EmONC and midwifery integration to ensure gender transformative human rights-based Maternal and Newborn Health

• Support development and review of relevant technical midwifery and MNH materials for stakeholder capacity building workshops and events.
• Provide inputs, as requested, on national and regional maternal and newborn health strategies to ensure an integrated SRHR perspective.
• Support countries with the strengthening of midwifery education globally.
• Support development of work processes and internal coordination to ensure integration of gender transformative human rights-based MNH/SRHR and FP approaches.

Project and Information Management

• Stay abreast of the latest research and innovations in midwifery and reproductive health.
• Develop results-based donor reports that capture progress on implementation of the midwifery and EmONC programme outcomes
• Contribute to literature reviews, peer-reviewed articles and funding proposals on MNH (midwifery/EmONC/MPDSR).
• Support alignment between the MHTF and other non-core resource funded initiatives under the maternal and newborn health program
• Act as the MHTF country focal point for a discrete set of countries as assigned by the MHTF coordinator

Administrative and Miscellaneous Duties

• Perform any other duties as required by direct supervisors and the MHTF Coordinator

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced University degree in midwifery or public health.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 5 years of experience working in the development sector, preferably on maternal and newborn health, of which 2 are at the international level in low resource settings.
• Experience working in the multilateral system.
• Experience leading inter-UN agency coordination mechanisms with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrable knowledge of MNH in low resource settings and roles/responsibilities of key actors in this field.
• Robust communication and advocacy skills
• Experience in report writing, literature reviews and funding proposals
• Experience in designing and developing MNH advocacy and communications products
• Experience in high level meeting/event planning and coordination

Languages:

Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French is an asset.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Business acumen
• Implementing management systems
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches
• Client orientation
• Organizational awareness

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.