National Advocacy Analyst-TA-NOB (for Ethiopian Nationals only)

The Position:

 The National Advocacy Analyst is responsible for the technical coordination and implementation of evidence-based strategies to strengthen the policy, regulatory, and financing environments for Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) in Ethiopia. Reporting directly to the SRH Commodity Specialist and under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Deputy Representative, the incumbent provides critical analytical support to the "Start with Her" Global Advocacy Strategy, with a specific focus on advancing midwifery models of care and expanding access to essential MNH commodities. The role serves as a key technical link between global mandates and national execution, ensuring that all country-level initiatives are firmly aligned with the ICPD Programme of Action, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and UNFPA’s corporate advocacy compliance guidelines.

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 will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, 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:

The primary objective of this role is to maximize political and financial commitment for midwifery-led service delivery and life-saving MNH commodities by influencing administrative, regulatory, and budgetary decisions. Utilizing the SMART Advocacy approach, the incumbent leverages cost-effectiveness data and political economy analysis to foster strategic partnerships and facilitate high-level dialogue. The Job Purpose is to drive systemic change and increase the visibility of UNFPA’s impact by providing technical policy analysis, coordinating stakeholder engagement, and documenting advocacy results. Ultimately, the position ensures that MNH interventions are evidence-driven and effectively integrated into Ethiopia’s national development frameworks to achieve sustainable improvements in maternal health outcomes.

You would be responsible for:

Strategic Planning and Implementation of the Advocacy Plan:

• Formulate and implement integrated country advocacy plans (impact pathways) for midwifery and MNH commodities, specifically aligned to EWENE Acceleration plans. 
• Target and track specific, measurable financial and policy goals (result framework) to increase investments and policy reform related to MNH. 
• Actively engage key national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Education, parliamentarians, and midwifery associations. 
• Strengthen and expand national advocacy coalitions of influential midwives and policymakers to advocate for increased government investment and scale-up of midwifery models of care. 
• Shape critical advocacy messages informed by cost-effectiveness analysis and political economy analysis to package evidence for advocacy and support regulatory change. 

Strengthened Midwifery Models of Care :

• Advocate for and support government-led development, adoption, and funding of a comprehensive national midwifery strategy or roadmap (such as the existing Nurse and Midwife Roadmap that is being updated and finalised). 
• Drive evidence-based policy and regulatory change and catalyse domestic investment in midwifery, particularly focusing on addressing the critical midwife shortfall and effective deployment and retention 
• Coordinate the investment case analysis at the country level, engaging government and partners, and facilitating the discussion on required investment and resource allocation recommendations. 
• Advocate for the integration of Digital Training using the Safe Delivery+ programme into pre- and in-service training of midwives, including continuous professional education programmes, aligned to national guidelines and protocols. 
• Spearhead efforts to integrate maternal and newborn health priorities into national digital health strategies and policies. 
• Identify potential promising entry points for integrating the Safe Delivery+ programme (10 Million Safer Births Initiative) within the national digital health worker training platforms. 

Improved Access to Quality MNH Commodities: 

• Develop SMART strategies specifically for MNH commodities advocacy. 
• Support governments to update policy and regulatory environments, including national guidelines, to reflect the latest global WHO guidance. 
• Advocate for the inclusion of new MNH commodities in national essential medicines lists and procurement cycles, aligning with the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and global guidance. 
• Advocate for sustainable MNH commodity financing and affordable MNH healthcare policies within universal health coverage, leveraging UNFPA compacts and match funding mechanisms and other innovative financing tools.

Compliance and Deliverables 

• Ensure all activities strictly adhere to compliance rules, focusing on permissible non-legislative actions such as administrative rules and regulations. Engagement must focus on influencing spending decisions that do not require legislative approval. Strategic advocacy must be timed to coincide with the preparation phase of the budget cycle. 
• Contribute to achieving milestones determined during the inception phase, such as the integration of MNH priorities. 

Reporting and Coordination 

• The National Advocacy Analyst  will work closely with the project staff to ensure coherence across all grant activities.
• He/she will participate in relevant internal coordination meetings, including the MNH check-in meetings. 
• Work in close coordination with Gates Foundation country focal points to align national priorities and ensure synergy as needed.
• Perform any other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in public health, social sciences, public policy, international relations, development studies, communications, or a related field.
 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least two years of relevant experience 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, NGOs, or youth/civil society groups with demonstrated success in building and sustaining national advocacy coalitions. 
• Strong drafting and writing skills with attention to detail. 
• Good organizational, coordination, and time-management skills, and experience in programme support and management. 
• 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 Amharic, with excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, is required. 
• Knowledge of another official UN language 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:

• 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 quality program support and technical assistance 
• Empowering and building trust among both internal/external partners and stakeholders, 
• Managing Resources 
• Making decisions and exercising judgment 

Compensation and Benefits:

 This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus other entitlements 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 minority ethnic groups, 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.