The Position:

UNFPA Tanzania is seeking a National Programme Specialist – Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Advocacy to lead targeted advocacy efforts in ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths. The role will focus on strengthening midwifery models of care that enable midwives to provide high-quality care and to ensure essential, quality-assured maternal and newborn health (MNH) and sustainable access to essential MNH commodities.The Specialist will work under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Deputy Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant Representative. The Specialist will work closely with the  UNFPA HQ Advocacy Specialist.

 

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 strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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:

The National Programme Specialist – MNH Advocacy will be responsible for leading a broad range of advocacy and coordination activities to advance midwifery models of care and sustainable access to essential MNH commodities in Tanzania. She/he will design and implement comprehensive, evidence‑based advocacy strategies that drive increased government investment in midwifery and maternal and newborn health (MNH) commodities. The Specialist will work closely with the members of the Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) team to promote the integration of these priorities within national health frameworks, financing mechanisms, and policy agendas. By aligning advocacy efforts with Tanzania’s health sector strategies, the Specialist will strengthen sustainability, promote access to life‑saving maternal health and family planning commodities, and reinforce the country’s commitment to reducing maternal and newborn mortality.
 

You would be responsible for:

Key responsibilities and duties include the following:

A.  Policy Advocacy, Leadership and Strategic Planning 
Develop and implement integrated advocacy plans for midwifery and MNH commodities, ensuring alignment with national health strategies and UNFPA’s country programme;
Lead the development, formulation and implementation of integrated country advocacy plans (impact pathways) for midwifery and MNH commodities, specifically aligned to the Every Woman, Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration plans;
Provide technical input into policy documents, reforms and regulatory frameworks to advance midwifery;
Advocate for sustainable MNH commodity financing and affordable MNH healthcare policies within universal health coverage, leveraging UNFPA compacts, match funding mechanisms and other innovative financing tools;
Target and track specific, measurable financial and policy goals (results framework) to increase investments and policy reform related to MNH;
Shape critical advocacy messages informed by cost-effectiveness analysis and political economy analysis to package evidence for advocacy to strengthen arguments for investment;
Advocate for inclusion of new MNH commodities in Tanzania’s essential medicines list and procurement cycles;
Advocate for the integration of digital training tools into pre-service and in-service education for midwives, including continuous professional development programmes, in alignment with national guidelines and protocols;
Support government efforts to strengthen supply chains and reduce stock-outs of maternal health and family planning life saving commodities;
Drive evidence-based policy and regulatory change and catalyze domestic investment in midwifery, particularly focusing on addressing the critical midwifery shortfall and effective deployment and retention.

B. Building and Sustaining Partnerships
Actively engage key national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Education, parliamentarians, and midwifery associations to strengthen midwifery services in collaboration with the UNFPA Integrated SRH team members;
Support strengthening and expansion of national advocacy coalitions, including influential midwives and policymakers to advocate for increased government investment and scale-up of midwifery models of care;
Build strong relationships with ministries, parliamentarians, professional associations, and civil society organizations;
Support the strengthening of linkages across midwifery and maternal health initiatives, ensuring coordination and synergy with ongoing national and partner-led programmes in Tanzania;
Collaborate with the Integrated SRH team members including strategic positioning of midwifery investment within coordination mechanisms including technical working groups on RMNCAH within the country;

C. Evidence Generation and Knowledge Sharing
Coordinate the investment case analysis at the country level by managing a national consultant, engaging government and partners, and facilitating the discussion on required investment and resource allocation recommendations;
Spearhead and document efforts to integrate maternal and newborn health priorities into national digital health strategies and policies;
Draft advocacy messages,briefing notes, talking points, statements, and other requested documents to advance the MNH agenda at national, regional and global levels;
Implement knowledge management strategies to capture lessons learned, best practices, and innovations in ending preventable maternal deaths through investments in midwifery, ensuring systematic documentation and dissemination among partners.

D. Programme Management 
Prepare timely and quality reports on the achievement of the advocacy work on MNH  programme, including documenting the linkages with other interventions across the SRHR portfolio; 
Seek out best practices and innovative approaches and apply them to programme/project development and implementation;
Guide and manage innovative and responsive programming for the effective implementation of  the  MNH advocacy ensuring linkages with other  SRH programmes in the Tanzania Country office;
 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• A postgraduate degree in public health, international affairs, social sciences, or related fields with specialized knowledge and experience in the field of advocacy, policy, mass communication, journalism, media studies, public relations, or relevant discipline.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least five years of relevant experience is required with a solid understanding of advocacy work (policy research/analysis/design, diplomacy, strategy formulation, influencing strategy changes, representation at a high level, public communication). 
• Experience coordinating and implementing targeted, evidence-based advocacy campaigns, ideally utilizing structured approaches like SMART Advocacy. 
• Experience in advocating for sustainable maternal and newborn health (MNH) commodity financing and affordable MNH healthcare policies within the framework of universal health coverage will be an added advantage. 
• Experience working with UN agencies, government institutions, NGOs, or youth and civil society groups, with demonstrated success in building and sustaining national advocacy coalitions, and a proven ability to advance evidence-based advocacy initiatives, shape compelling narratives for diverse audiences, and foster collaboration across government, civil society, and development partners is essential. 
• Familiarity with legislative processes, public sector financing, and donor relations.
• Good organizational, coordination, and time-management skills, and experience in programme support and management. 
• Strong drafting and writing skills with attention to detail. 
• Self-starter, proactive, with a passion for issues relevant to the UNFPA mandate.
• Computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools are mandatory.
   

Languages: 

• Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required. Working knowledge of other 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,
• Communicating for impact
   

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results-based programme
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation
   

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• Providing strategic focus,
• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
• Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

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 is dedicated to fostering a work environment that upholds the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to equitable representation within our workforce and encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from diverse backgrounds. UNFPA promotes equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including appointment, training, compensation, and selection. Our inclusive approach is central to our mission, and we welcome talent from varied cultural and professional backgrounds
 

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance 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. 

Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm