Job Description

The Position:

The Programme Analyst, Family Planning/Reproductive Health Commodity Security (FP/RHCS) contributes to the effective delivery of UNFPA activities in the areas of Maternal Health and Family Planning (FP). Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, SRH, the Programme Analyst, contributes to the effective management of UNFPA programmes in support of national efforts to strengthen RHCS within existing programmes on maternal health, family planning, STI control, cervical cancer, etc.

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 Programme Analyst, FP/RHCS works closely with other staff in the UNFPA Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) unit to support reproductive health commodity security and national health supply-chain initiatives. Within agreed workplans and under the guidance of the Programme Specialist (SRH), s/he contributes to forecasting and quantification, supply and procurement planning, pipeline monitoring, logistics management information systems, inventory management, warehousing, distribution and last-mile availability of contraceptives, maternal health medicines and other reproductive health commodities. S/he analyses commodity and logistics data, identifies emerging supply risks and brings them to the attention of the supervisor and relevant partners for follow-up. The Programme Analyst also provides inputs to planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting for family planning, maternal health and condom programming.

S/he coordinates activities of related project staff and consultants, and ensures oversight of the work of Implementing Partners (IP) in close collaboration with operations staff, programme officers, and counterparts at the Regional Office and HQ as well as in other UN Organizations, technical staff in government ministries and civil society organizations to ensure successful implementation of UNFPA-supported programmes to enhance RHCS, including the management of supply chain systems.

Working closely with the Ministry of Health, national supply-chain institutions, districts, implementing partners and development partners, s/he supports implementation, information-sharing and follow-up of agreed actions to strengthen reproductive health commodity security.

Within the context of health-system strengthening and financing, the Programme Analyst, FP/RHCS analyses relevant trends and provides technical and programme inputs to the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of RHCS activities. Under the guidance of the Programme Specialist (SRH), s/he contributes to advocacy, policy dialogue, resource-mobilization activities and partner capacity development; monitors assigned results and budgets; supports the work of consultants and implementing partners; and maintains collaborative working relationships with government, development partners, civil society and other UN organizations. S/he contributes as a member of the SRH unit and the wider Country Office programme team.

You would be responsible for:

The Programme Analyst, FP/RHCS will be responsible for:

A. General Programming

• Contribute to analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to United Nations programming processes (Common Country Assessment [CCA], United Nations Development Assistance Framework [UNDAF], Country Programme Development [CPD], Country Programme Action Plan [CPAP]) as they relate to FP/RHCS, including management supply chain systems.
• Help create and document knowledge about current and emerging trends and issues, by analyzing programmes, projects, strategies, approaches and ongoing experience for lessons learned, best practices, and shares with management for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies.

B. Technical Expertise/Management

• Analyse relevant policy, social and economic developments affecting RHCS, family planning and maternal health, and prepare briefs and technical inputs for programme development, policy dialogue and technical-assistance activities.
• Contribute to the availability and use of technical information and the analysis and documentation of RHCS issues, drawing on logistics information, surveys, administrative data and other relevant sources. Identify technical-assistance and capacity-development needs and provide inputs on appropriate programme responses.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of condom programming, including analysis of condom availability and utilization, in consultation with relevant stakeholders and under the guidance of the Programme Specialist, SRH.
• Contribute to advocacy for RHCS and family planning and to the development of appropriate communication strategies and materials.
• Provide technical and analytical inputs to forecasting, quantification and supply planning for contraceptives, maternal health medicines and other reproductive health commodities.
• Undertake routine pipeline, stock-status and commodity-availability analysis to identify potential stock-outs, overstocks, expiries and other supply risks, and flag these for follow-up by the supervisor and relevant partners.
• Support the collection, quality and use of logistics data through the national Logistics Management Information System and related platforms, including maintaining assigned dashboards and preparing periodic reports.
• Collaborate with procurement, logistics and programme colleagues to track the ordering, shipment, receipt and distribution of UNFPA-supported commodities; support agreed activities related to inventory management, warehousing, last-mile availability and commodity accountability; and participate in relevant coordination and capacity-development activities.
• Ensure compliance to Programme Supplies Policy.

C. Advocacy and Resource Mobilization and Funds Management

• Assist advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of Country Office by preparing relevant documentation (i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events).
• Develop factsheets, briefing materials, info graphics, and presentations for public information, advocacy and resource mobilization purposes.
• Prepare relevant proposals with RHCS components and share information about UNFPA tools for co-financing and funding.
• Build strong technical and programme multi-sectoral partnerships for advocacy for RHCS within the broader SRHR agenda through national institutions, networks, alliances and coalitions. Monitor and keep updates on existing and potential partnerships. Follow through and ensure that recommendations and action points agreed to are addressed.
• Prepare and manage relevant budgets; Monitor expenditures to ensure delivery is in line with approved budgets and to realize targeted delivery levels and deliver timely and accurate reporting of financial information.
• Manage assets that have been procured by the UNFPA and supplied to the implementing partners; ensuring that they are put to proper use.
• Represent UNFPA at key events where required, with regard to UNFPA’s mandate.

D. 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:

Advanced university degree in supply-chain management, logistics, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, public health, health systems management, health economics or another field directly relevant to reproductive health commodity security. An advanced university degree in another relevant field may be accepted when combined with recognized specialized training and demonstrated professional experience in health supply-chain management or RHCS.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least two years of progressively responsible professional experience in reproductive health commodity security, health supply-chain management, pharmaceutical or public-health logistics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated practical experience in at least two of the following areas: forecasting and supply planning; pipeline and stock-status monitoring; logistics information systems and commodity-data analysis; or inventory management, warehousing and distribution.
• Knowledge of public-sector health supply chains, including the roles of Ministry of Health, Central Medical Stores (warehouse), districts and service-delivery facilities. Experience supporting contraceptives, maternal health medicines or other essential health commodities is desirable.
• Relevant professional training in health supply-chain management, logistics or commodity security is desirable. Experience using digital logistics information systems or supply-chain analytical tools is an asset.
• Experience in programme/ project management including experience in large multi-sector programmes.
• Experience working with the Ministry of Health and Local Government (districts) is desirable.
• Field experience is an asset.
• Prior experience in the UN system is an asset.
• A thorough understanding of the UN system in general, and especially UNFPA’s mandate, its policies and operations and current development topics and political issues in Malawi will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team.

Languages:

Fluency in English (Both Verbal and Written); knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

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:

• Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda,
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships,
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation,
• Delivering results-based programmes,
• Project Management,
• Managing financial processes,
• Proficiency in current office software applications.

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.