NATIONAL POST: Programme Specialist, Maternal Health/Nutrition, Kabul, Afghanistan, NO-C

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Fluency in English and local language Dari and/or Pashto is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset.

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

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 [link removed] to learn more.

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.