Programme Adviser – Humanitarian Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (UNFPA)

UNFPA is seeking a senior Programme Adviser to steer the integration of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across humanitarian, development and peace contexts. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, this full‑time role sits within the Programme Division and reports to the Maternal and Newborn Health Team Leader. The position blends strategic leadership, technical guidance and partnership building to advance UNFPA’s SRHR agenda in crisis‑affected settings.

Why Join CareerLink Africa

Joining this role means working for a globally recognised UN agency while leveraging CareerLink Africa’s platform to connect with top talent and impactful opportunities across the continent. You will benefit from a remote‑work friendly environment, a network that spans multiple African markets, and the chance to influence health outcomes for millions of vulnerable people.

What You'll Do

In this capacity you will shape policy, drive programme implementation and foster collaboration across UN agencies, governments and donors.

• Provide strategic direction and thought leadership for integrating comprehensive SRHR services—including family planning, maternal health, HIV and comprehensive abortion care—throughout the humanitarian‑development‑peace continuum.
• Develop and disseminate policy briefs, guidance notes and technical resources that align with global norms and UNFPA’s 2026‑2029 Strategic Plan.
• Lead the design, rollout and monitoring of UNFPA’s humanitarian strategy and action plan, ensuring preparedness and response mechanisms are robust in both acute and protracted crises.
• Oversee the creation of a global database and tracking system to capture MISP readiness assessments and action‑plan progress, improving commodity availability and service delivery.
• Collaborate with regional offices, the Supply Chain Management Unit and the Humanitarian Results Manager to synchronize data, commodities and reporting across all phases of emergencies.
• Strengthen data systems for SRHR, including maternal and newborn health surveillance, to support evidence‑based decision‑making in fragile settings.
• Represent UNFPA at high‑level inter‑agency forums, health clusters and donor meetings, advocating for the agency’s lead role in humanitarian SRHR.
• Build and nurture strategic partnerships with UN partners (WHO, UNHCR, UNICEF, OCHA), civil society, academic institutions and donors to mobilise resources and promote joint programming.
• Lead knowledge‑management initiatives by capturing best practices, lessons learned and innovative approaches, and sharing them across regions and sectors.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate combines extensive programme management experience with deep technical expertise in SRHR and humanitarian response.

• A postgraduate degree such as an MBA, MSc or MA in a relevant field.
• At least ten years of professional experience managing large‑scale health programmes, preferably within UN agencies or international NGOs.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership, develop policy guidance and influence multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing humanitarian preparedness and response plans, including MISP readiness assessments.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data‑driven monitoring tools and health information systems.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills, with experience representing an organization in high‑visibility inter‑agency and donor settings.
• Ability to forge and sustain partnerships across UN bodies, governments, NGOs and academic partners.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of additional UN languages is an advantage.

Perks & Benefits

UNFPA offers flexible remote‑work arrangements, a collaborative international work environment and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on health outcomes in crisis‑affected populations.

Qualified professionals are invited to submit their applications through the CareerLink Africa platform.