Programme Specialist (Maternal Health/Nutrition)

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) is the lead United Nations agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, working to ensure that every individual has the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health. The organization is committed to achieving gender balance and fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce, with a strong emphasis on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. UNFPA's mission is guided by the principles of human rights and the belief that everyone should have access to essential health services, including maternal health and nutrition. The organization aims to address the unmet needs for family planning, prevent maternal deaths, eliminate gender-based violence, and adapt to demographic changes through evidence-based policies and practices.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist (Maternal Health/Nutrition) plays a crucial role in leading the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of UNFPA's program interventions related to maternal health, reproductive health, and nutrition in Afghanistan. This position is particularly vital in fragile contexts where the provision of basic human needs for women and girls is a priority. The incumbent will provide strategic and technical leadership within the Maternal and Reproductive Health (MRH) Unit, ensuring that program strategies align with UNFPA's corporate priorities and the specific needs of the country office. The Programme Specialist will oversee collaboration between program and operations colleagues, implementing partners, UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of maternal health and nutrition interventions. This role requires a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding maternal health and nutrition in Afghanistan, as well as the ability to navigate and address the challenges posed by the current humanitarian context.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: leading the design, implementation, and monitoring of maternal health and nutrition program interventions; ensuring that program activities effectively address maternal mortality, maternal and child nutrition, and reproductive health needs in fragile and humanitarian contexts; contributing to the monitoring and evaluation of program performance to ensure alignment with UNFPA frameworks; overseeing the development of program documents, workplans, and budgets; establishing and managing strategic partnerships with implementing partners, UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders; leading coordination mechanisms for effective implementation of maternal health and nutrition interventions; representing UNFPA in relevant technical and coordination forums; analyzing the humanitarian, social, operational, and policy context in Afghanistan to assess implications for program delivery; providing strategic advice to country office leadership; leading knowledge management initiatives; and contributing to resource mobilization efforts, including the preparation of donor proposals and advocacy for maternal health and nutrition priorities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in health, population, demography, or a related social science discipline. Additionally, at least five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in maternal health, reproductive health, or nutrition programs is required. Experience in program or project management, including designing, monitoring, and evaluating multi-sectoral projects, is essential. Proven knowledge of maternal health, reproductive health, and nutrition programming in complex settings is desirable, along with experience working with government, UN, and NGO partners in advisory and operational capacities. Field experience in fragile and humanitarian contexts is also desirable, and prior experience within the UN system is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in health, population, demography, or other related social science disciplines. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of maternal health and nutrition programming and for effectively contributing to the development and implementation of evidence-based strategies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of maternal health, reproductive health, or nutrition programs. Candidates should have a strong background in program or project management, including experience in designing, monitoring, and evaluating multi-sectoral projects. Experience working in fragile and humanitarian contexts is highly desirable, as is familiarity with the UN system and collaboration with government and NGO partners.

Languages:
Fluency in English and a local language, either Dari or Pashto, is required for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of other UN languages would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse and multicultural environment.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits as applicable. UNFPA is committed to providing a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from qualified female candidates and individuals from underrepresented groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, and persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics.