The Position:
The Programme Specialist, Population & Development is located in the Malawi Country Office (CO) and reports to the Deputy Representative.
The Programme Specialist coordinates the UN joint program Harmonized National Management Information System (HN-MIS) project and assists with implementation of Population & Development (P&D) activities under the UNFPA 9th Country Programme.
S/he establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, UN agencies, civil society and the private sector to advocate to contribute to achieving UNFPAโs mandate. The Programme Specialist will actively contribute to inter-agency work, particularly through UNSDCF coordination mechanisms and the UN Data Group to position UNFPAโs transformative results in joint UN initiatives.
S/he will be based in the UNFPA Malawi Country Office and work closely with the UNFPA Country Team and the M&E Technical Committee co-chaired by the Department of Economic Planning and Development under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs. The P&D Specialist/Project Manager will report directly to the UNFPA Deputy Representative, and work in coordination with the UNDP and UNRCO focal points for this project. In addition, the P&D Specialist/ Project Manager will be part of Project Coordination Unit (PCU), which works under the Malawi Government Principal Secretary in the Department of Economic Planning and
Development.
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 organizationโs 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.
All staff of UNFPA Malawi will contribute towards achieving the objectives of 9th Country Programme Document (Malawi CPD [2024-2028]) which responds to the Malawi 2063 Vision and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2024-2028 among others and to accelerate progress towards the three UNFPA strategic plan outcomes.
Job Purpose:
The Programme Specialist advances the ICPD policy agenda in a politically sensitive environment responding to changing substantive priorities of Governments. The Programme Specialist supports the coordination and implementation of the UN joint โEstablishment of the Harmonized National Management Information System (HN-MIS)โ project. The Harmonized National Management Information System (HN-MIS) is an intervention to ensure decisions in governance are informed by evidence.
Working within a Country Office (CO) environment, the Programme Specialist, Population & Development will ensure the effective management of the UN joint โEstablishment of the Harmonized National Management Information System (HN-MIS)โ project activities. The holder of this position will also support the population and development initiatives within the UNFPA office including strengthening data from routine management information systems.
Under overall guidance of the Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, P&D Specialist/ Project Managerโs primary roles are:
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Responsibilities:
The Programme Specialist, Population & Development, will be responsible for:
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A. Policy Dialogue and Advocacy:
Support evidence-based policy dialogue on population dynamics, data, and development planning. Contribute to UN coordination processes, particularly through the UNSDCF and the UN Data Group. Support the visibility of UNFPA in relevant strategic forums. Identify and provide evidence-based and substantive policy advice on UNFPAโs role and priorities in Population and Development by ensuring that Demographic Dividend agenda, population dynamics and mega trends concepts are well understood by the Government and integrated into national and sectoral development planning, including policy development and action planning processes through inclusive consultations with all stakeholders. Advocate for ICPD agenda with national institutions and other UN agencies represented at the national level. Enhance the leadership of the visibility of UNFPA in relevant strategic forums.B. Strengthening the COโs Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization:ย
Participate and contribute technical/programme inputs in UN and other inter-agency as well as national forums around population data to maintain collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, civil society, private sector, bilateral as well as multilateral development partners, etc. Maintain collaborative relationships with government counterparts (EP&D, NSO, MDAs), UNDP, the EU Delegation, and other stakeholders. Actively participate in technical working groups in the UNSDCF Strategic Priority Area and relevant national mechanisms to advance UNFPAโs area of work. Support the preparation of donor reports, project briefs, and visibility materials. Support the P&D component of funding proposal development and donor reporting in line with the 9th Country Programme Integrated Resource Mobilization and Partnerships strategy. Contribute inputs to the drafting of new proposals related to Population and Development, including for the upcoming 2028 Population and Housing Census. Provide a strong technical support to UN Data Group. Promote operationalization of the Demographic Dividend agenda. Pursue innovative ways to maintain and create new partnerships.C. Evidence Management, Knowledge Management and Innovation:ย
D. Managing and Coordinating the Implementation of UN joint โEstablishment of the
Harmonized National Management Information System (HN-MIS)โ project:
F. General Support:
Stand-in for other team members on selected functions as may be required. Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
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Knowledge and Experience:
At least five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in health management information systems; overseeing the development, undertaking and analysis of large health related surveys, MIS and data management systems and managing development programmes. Strong results-based programme management experience, with particular focus on strategic planning and capacity building, using data and evidence to inform policy and advocacy, building strategic partnerships to strengthen data collection, management and use. Knowledge and experience in data collection and management, including using innovative technologies for data collection, statistical analysis and methodology, data visualisation and dissemination. Experience in implementing population and development projects with multiple government counterparts, including health management information systems, population based health surveys, and census. Proven experience in coordinating/managing large multi-sector projects and a multi-disciplinary team of staff, experts and consultants. Field experience is an asset. Prior experience in the UN system, UNFPA, international development agencies, and/or international organizations with a focus on strategic information for health, population and development is an asset. A thorough understanding of the UN system in general, and especially UNFPA mandate, its policies and operations and current development topics and political issues in Malawi will be an added advantage.ย Working knowledge of MS Office applications and cloud-based Google Suite applications, strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to work in a team.Languages:
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Required Competencies:
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Values:ย
Exemplifying integrity. Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system. Embracing cultural diversity. Embracing change.ย
Core Competencies:
Achieve results. Being accountable. Developing and applying professional expertise/ business acumen. Thinking analytically and strategically. orking in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships. Communicating for impact.ย
Functional Skill Set:ย
Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda. Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships. Strategic Communication. Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization. Delivering results-based programmes. Resource mobilization and donor relations. Advocacy & Lobbying Technical Understanding of the areas of work e.g. population dynamism, data analysis, analyzing demographic trends, monitoring & evaluation, protecting human rights etc.ย Programme & Project Management. Innovation & Research. People Management and Leadership. Cultural & contextual awareness. Managing financial processes. Proficiency in current office and software applicationsย
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary, 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. 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. To learn more, click here: https://www.unfpa.org/diversity-equity-inclusion.
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.