Programme Specialist, Health Systems Strengthening at The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the leading UN organization in Reproductive Health and Population and Development.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:
We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Specialist, Health Systems Strengthening

Job Identification:  230954
Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time
Grade level of Post: P5
Rotational/Non-Rotational: Non-Rotational
Duration: 30 Working Days

The Position

• UNFPA Nigeria Country Office (CO) works to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH), promote reproductive rights, and reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.
• Based in the Country Offices (CO) in Abuja, the Programme Specialist – Health Systems Strengthening (PS-HSS) will provide programmatic and technical assistance within UNFPA as well as externally, in coordination and collaboration with relevant Health Sector stakeholders across the UN, CSOs, Government, and regional & international entities.

How you can make a difference: 

• UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. 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) focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA works to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment and to address the causes and consequences of GBV, especially its effects on sexual and reproductive health.
• UNFPA works to address gender-based violence in both development and humanitarian contexts, where the risk of violence against women and girls intensifies. 
• UNFPA Nigeria commenced the implementation of the 9th Country Programme (CP) (2023-2027) of which the four main outputs are : (a) strengthened data systems; (b) strengthened capacities of national and subnational health systems to deliver quality sexual and reproductive health information and services; (c) strengthened capacity of critical actors and systems the provision of life and dignity-saving interventions in humanitarian settings; (d) strengthened capacities and knowledge of critical actors to address discriminatory gender and social norms. 
• 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 Programme Specialist - Health Systems Strengthening will provide strategic technical assistance and programmatic leadership in the areas of health systems strengthening, health policy and health Financing to ensure that the UNFPA Country Offices (COs) in Nigeria is well-equipped to provide evidence-based policy and strategic advice to the Federal and State Ministries of Health and other Development Partners for improving SRH, FP and  maternal and newborn health.
• The Programme Specialist - Health Systems Strengthening works closely with other technical and programme staff in the Country Office and the Regional Office/HQ and reports directly to the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Programme Coordinator, under the overall guidance and leadership of the Representative.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Programme Specialist - Health Systems Strengthening is the senior technical specialist for integrated technical and programmatic support on issues pertaining to SRH and health systems strengthening in Nigeria, in the context of the ongoing Health Sector reforms. S/he will:
• Lead the development of strategic and technical guidance on SRH policies, frameworks, evidence-based approaches and operational strategies, in collaboration and coordination with other key internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify strategic actions, high impact practices, and broker and leverage effective partnerships for accelerating progress towards UNFPA’s Transformative Results of
  improving health systems, and by firmly placing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) within national development frameworks and programmes.
• Lead efforts to integrate family planning and contraceptive choices into universal health coverage processes and policies, including integration into both financing and delivery of reproductive health commodities and services into a basic package of care.
• Provide strategic input in development of health systems strengthening and financing related indicators, tools and guidance for evaluations in light of the health sector
  programme of work, targets and indicators.
• Design and adapt the use of health systems and financial tools in the analysis of health and health sector issues, and in the evaluation of likely impact of public policies to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC); and the effectiveness of the health and health related delivery systems especially at the primary and secondary health care levels and in the context of universal health coverage.
• Represent UNFPA in health sector and development coordinating meetings on health systems and financing, elaborate UNFPA’s perspective on SRH and Health systems, and advocate for these issues in policy and technical meetings and fora.
• Support the collaborative relationships of the CO and promote partnership, synergy and strategic alliances with counterparts in government and Federal and State levels, multilateral and bilateral agencies, UN Agencies, civil society organizations as well as community-based organizations to facilitate successful delivery of the programme.

Qualifications and Experience
Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Health Economy, Medicine, Social Sciences, or related field.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in maternal and newborn health, SRHR and health system strengthening.
• Understanding of areas relevant to UNFPA's mandate such as family planning, contraceptive technology, sexual and reproductive health services, reproductive and/or gender-based violence, population dynamics, gender equality, social protection systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in policy engagement with direct experience working with in-country health systems strengthening or public expenditure management.
• Experience with framing the relationship between health and development, the social and economic determinants of health and the impact of health investments on national economies.
• Strong track record of producing demonstrable results. 
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with national counterparts, academia, civil society organizations, private sector, and development partners including with UN agencies from the H4+/H6 as well as donors.
• Collaborative and self-motivating. 

Skills and  Competencies:

• Strong technical knowledge of SRH issues, policies, and programs.
• Excellent project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong advocacy, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong training and capacity development skills

Languages:

Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of local 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 appying 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 results mobilization.

Managerial Competencies: 

• Strategically positioning UNFPA programmes. 
• Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness. 
• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information 
• Providing a technical support system. 
• Strengthening the programming capacity of implementing partners. 
• Facilitating quality programmatic results

 Related Programme Skills:

• Because the nature of work is programme focused, involving other groups and various timelines and activities, related skills of good time management, managing deadlines and good team relationships are essential. Knowledge of the UN system is desirable.

 UNFPA Work Environment:

• UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage qualified women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities. 

Compensation and Benefits 

• This position offers an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the post.
• The package includes a competitive net salary plus cost of health insurance and other benefits. 

Application Closing Date
28th May, 2026 (7:00 PM).

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Please note that this vacancy announcement is only for Nigerian nationals.
• No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN staff regulations 4.5.