NATIONAL POST: Programme Analyst, Reproductive Health, Kabul, Afghanistan, NO-B

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 Analyst, RH supports the implementation of reproductive and maternal health programmes of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Afghanistan, with a focus on driving Basic Human Needs (BHN) interventions within the Maternal Reproductive Health (MRH) portfolio.

Embedded within the MRH Unit, the incumbent provides technical and programmatic support to strengthen the delivery of quality, life-saving reproductive, maternal, and newborn health services in a complex humanitarian and life–saving context. The role contributes to expanding equitable access to essential RH services and ensuring continuity of care for women, adolescents, and vulnerable populations.

The position reports directly to the Programme Specialist, RH/FP.

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:

The Programme Analyst, RH ensures the effective management of UNFPA activities in the areas of reproductive health, including maternal health and family planning. S/he oversees project formulation and evaluation, joint programming initiatives and national development frameworks.

You would be responsible for:

Reproductive Health & BHN Programme Implementation

• Support the design, implementation, and monitoring of RH interventions under the BHN framework
• Provide technical input on maternal, newborn, and reproductive health service delivery
• Support expansion and quality improvement of Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) services
• Promote adherence to national and international standards, guidelines, and protocols
• Contribute to integration of RH services within primary health care and community-based platforms

Technical Support and Policy Contribution

• Provide technical assistance to national and subnational stakeholders on RH programming
• Contribute to development and revision of policies, clinical guidelines, and training materials related to maternal and reproductive health
• Participate in technical working groups and coordination fora related to RH and BHN
• Introduce relevant global best practices and lessons learned into programme implementation
• Support capacity-building initiatives for implementing partners

Programme Management and Monitoring

• Develop and monitor implementation of the annual work plans and budgets for RH/BHN activities
• Ensure results-based monitoring, timely reporting, and quality assurance of interventions.
• Track key performance indicators and identify implementation challenges
• Document lessons learned and best practices
• Ensure compliance with UNFPA procedures and donor requirements

Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

• Conduct regular meetings with Implementing Partners and relevant stakeholders as part of the RH workplans management.
• Support coordination with relevant counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society partners
• Contribute to preparation of concept notes, proposals, donor reports, and technical briefs
• Support advocacy efforts to prioritize reproductive and maternal health within BHN programming
• Promote collaboration and information-sharing among stakeholders

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

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine, Midwifery, or a related health or social science field is required.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 2 years of professional experience in reproductive and/or maternal health programming are required.
• Experience in humanitarian or fragile settings is desirable.
• Experience in programme management and stakeholder coordination is desirable.
• Practical experience in monitoring and evaluation of health programmes is desirable.
• Experience working with national counterparts, NGOs, and development or humanitarian partners is desirable.
• Prior experience in the UN system 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.