Please note that this vacancy is open only to nationals of Afghanistan.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNFPA is committed to achieving gender balance and fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce.

The Position:

The Programme Specialist (Maternal Health/Nutrition) leads the formulation, implementation and monitoring of UNFPA programme interventions related to maternal health, reproductive health and nutrition in Afghanistan, particularly in fragile contexts and in support of the provision of basic human needs (BHN) for women and girls.

Working within the Maternal and Reproductive Health (MRH) Unit, the incumbent provides strategic and technical leadership to the development and implementation of programme strategies, ensuring alignment with UNFPA corporate priorities and country office priorities, and promotes evidence-based approaches to improving maternal health and nutrition outcomes.

The Programme Specialist oversees the coordination and delivery of the collaboration between programme and operations colleagues, implementing partners, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and delivery of maternal health and nutrition interventions.

The position reports directly to the Programme Specialist (Reproductive Health & Family Planning) and works in close collaboration with programme and operations teams, implementing partners, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders.

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:

Working within the Afghanistan Country Office environment, the Programme Specialist ensures the effective management of UNFPA programme activities related to maternal health and nutrition.

The incumbent leads  the programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that interventions respond to basic human needs (BHN) priorities and are implemented in accordance with UNFPA programme policies and procedures.

Using programme management and technical expertise, the Programme Specialist provides strategic oversight and technical guidance to collaborative partnerships with implementing partners, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders, and contributes to evidence-based programme development, knowledge management and resource mobilization efforts.

You would be responsible for:

Programme Design, Implementation and Monitoring

• Lead the design, implementation and monitoring of maternal health and nutrition programme interventions supporting the delivery of basic human needs (BHN) in Afghanistan.
• Ensure programme activities address maternal mortality, maternal and child nutrition, and reproductive health needs in fragile and humanitarian contexts.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of programme performance, ensuring results are aligned with UNFPA programme frameworks and reporting requirements.
• Ensure achievement of programme results through effective oversight, monitoring systems and accountability mechanisms..
• Oversee development of programme documents, workplans and budgets..

Partnerships and Coordination

• Establish and manage strategic partnerships implementing partners, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders involved in maternal health and nutrition programming.
• Lead coordination mechanisms for maternal health and nutrition programming to support effective implementation of maternal health and nutrition interventions.
• Represent UNFPA in relevant technical and coordination forums. Participate and contribute to advocacy efforts and technical dialogue on maternal health and nutrition priorities within relevant coordination platforms.
• Assist in the preparation of technical inputs for joint initiatives and partnerships related to maternal health and nutrition.

Programme Analysis and Strategic Input

• Analyze the humanitarian, social, operational and policy context in Afghanistan and assess implications for the delivery of basic human needs (BHN) interventions related to maternal health and nutrition.
• Provide strategic advice to CO leadership on maternal health and nutrition priorities, programme opportunities and operational challenges affecting programme implementation, and in identifying mitigation measures.
• Assess implications of policy developments and ensure the integration of maternal health and nutrition priorities into broader UNFPA reproductive health programme strategies.

Knowledge Management & Learning

• Lead the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, best practices, and operational insights to strengthen programme quality and inform future planning.
• Oversee capacity-building initiatives for partners and project personnel where relevant.
• Ensure implementation of knowledge management strategies within the programme area and technically contribute in knowledge products, assessments and researches that the Country Office undertakes relating to the MRH programme.

Resource Mobilization & Advocacy

• Lead and contribute to resource mobilization efforts, including preparation of donor proposals, briefs and reports.
• Participate in advocacy and external communication efforts to advance maternal health and nutrition priorities.

Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor or designated authority.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in health, population, demography and/or other related social science discipline.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of maternal health, reproductive health, or nutrition programmes are required.
• Experience in programme or project management, including designing, monitoring, and evaluating multi-sectoral projects is required.
• Proven knowledge of maternal health, reproductive health, and nutrition programming in complex settings is desirable.
• Experience working with government, UN, and NGO partners in advisory and operational capacities is desirable.
• Field experience in fragile and humanitarian contexts is desirable.
• Prior UN system experience is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English and local language Dari and/or Pashto is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages would be 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 programmes
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for resource mobilization

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.