The Position:

The Programme Specialist, Governance, is based in the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Branch (SRHRB) of the Programme Division (PD) in Nairobi, Kenya. The incumbent will support the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, the largest thematic trust fund of UNFPA, as part of UNFPA’s Family Planning Programme. The UNFPA Supplies Partnership is a Global Health Initiative that strengthens health systems through improving supply chains, advancing policy, diversifying financing and expanding access to quality-assured contraceptives and maternal health medicines – reaching over 20 million women and girls annually in 54 of the lowest-income countries. This directly contributes to the outcomes identified in UNFPA’s Strategic Plan (2026-2029) on accelerating progress on meeting the unmet need for family planning and ending preventable maternal deaths.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 

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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.
 

Job Purpose:

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Lead, Family Planning, the incumbent will be responsible for managing the governance norms and procedures for the UNFPA Supplies Partnership and ensuring effective external communications. The incumbent will also provide support to multi-stakeholder Gates Foundation grants and other project management duties as needed. 

You would be responsible for:

Steering Committee and Subcommittee management

• Manage the Secretariat of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Steering Committee (SC), providing effective coordination and communication support to the SC members.
• Coordinate preparation for SC meetings, including the development of meeting agendas, slide decks, background documents and facilitation guides.
• Organize the Strategy and Planning Subcommittee (SPC), Finance and Risk Subcommittee (FRC) and Leadership Subcommittee meetings; support subcommittee Co-Chairs to plan and execute meetings, including assisting with the preparation of materials and- meeting reports.
• Ensure SC and subcommittee meeting reports are drafted, reviewed and disseminated according to required schedules.
• Coordinate the organization of onboarding and “refresher” webinars for Steering Committee members/subcommittee members who are new to the Partnership and/or interested in learning more about the programme. 
• Work closely with the Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Adviser on relationship management and relevant partnership activities with the SC members and constituency and other related partners.
• Support the implementation of a partner engagement strategy to facilitate informed decision-making by members.

Governance norms and procedures

• Review and refine the programme’s Governance ToRs in response to evolving programme needs and in line with partner feedback and best practices from other Global Health Initiatives. 
• Maintain a system to track data requests and action items emerging from governance meetings.
• Plan and manage the implementation of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Governance Calendar. Ensure that governance meetings, including Steering Committee meetings and its subcommittee meetings, and related activities are well-timed throughout the year in line with business needs and team capacity.   

Communications

• Ensure effective, strategic communication on governance processes and decision-making related to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, in collaboration with technical and partnership leads.
• Coordinate and contribute to the preparation of briefing notes, statements and talking points; prepare background papers and presentation content. 
• Work with technical leads and external partners to develop and update a suite of high-quality communications products that clearly explain the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, including its programme model, structure, value proposition and results 
• Maintain a central repository of key messages related to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, ensuring core messages remain consistent while enabling tailored communication for specific audiences, including donors, government partners, and internal stakeholders. 
• Ensure that the internet and extranet platforms of UNFPA Supplies Partnership are regularly updated.
• Contribute to internal and external communications efforts that promote transparency, engagement and partner confidence in the governance of the Partnership.

Grant and project management support

• Provide operational support for managing the implementation of multi-stakeholder Gates Foundation grants and other related grants management activities. 
• Support the engagement of the Programme Lead in grant-related project activities, e.g. maintain a calendar of grant activities and deliverables in collaboration with regional and HQ focal points. 
• Support the preparation of materials for grant-related meetings and communication efforts. 

Perform any other duties that may be required.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree in management, international relations, public health, economics, social science, social work or other related fields.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in family planning, reproductive health, international development, programme management, public health or other related areas.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical content into clear, accessible messages for diverse audiences, including donors, policymakers, and technical partners.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Proficiency in utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as Google workplace applications (Google Suite)
   

Languages: 

• Fluency in English; Knowledge of other official UN languages 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,

Functional Competencies:

• Accountability and results-based management
• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches
• Job knowledge/technical expertise
• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.