National Position: Strategic Engagement Adviser:Policy, Population and Data, NO-D

Organizational Context

The Strategic Engagement Advisor is based in the UNFPA Malawi Country Office, reporting to the Representative. This role leads the Policy, Population and Data Unit, advancing UNFPA’s upstream work on demographic change, population dynamics, and sustainable financing. The position contributes to the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026-2029, focusing on adapting to demographic change through evidence-based policies. UNFPA's mandate is to ensure a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.

Job Purpose

The Strategic Engagement Advisor provides leadership in population policy, demographic intelligence, sustainable financing for population and SRHR, and strategic engagement. The role ensures that population data and evidence inform national policy dialogue, development planning, and financing strategies, strengthening UNFPA’s position with government and partners. The Advisor oversees the Policy, Population and Data Unit, enhancing UNFPA’s capacity to generate and apply demographic intelligence for programme impact. In coordination with the Representative, the Advisor supports the Deputy Representative in designing and managing an innovative country programme using population data and demographic intelligence, and in building an inspired programme team.

Responsibilities

The role involves leading UNFPA's engagement to integrate population dynamics into national development planning through high-level policy dialogue with government and development partners. It requires utilizing population data and demographic intelligence to inform policy, strategic planning, and evidence-based advocacy on population dynamics and SRHR, while strengthening accountability mechanisms. The Advisor will advocate for evidence-informed policies by engaging various stakeholders and represent UNFPA in strategic forums. Responsibilities also include providing strategic leadership on population data systems and demographic analysis, supporting the government in census and survey processes, and strengthening national information systems. Furthermore, the role leads UNFPA's engagement on sustainable financing for population and SRHR programmes, working with government, financial institutions, and the private sector. It also involves developing and implementing political engagement strategies, fostering partnerships with UN agencies, and supporting the drafting of key UNFPA documents. The Advisor provides strategic leadership and supervision for the Policy, Population and Data Unit.

Work Experience

Requires at least 7 years of professional experience in policy development, demographic analysis, development/health economics, public financing, or national development planning. Demonstrated experience in policy engagement with government institutions and proven ability to use population data and evidence to inform policy and planning are essential. Experience in evidence-based policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and developing policy briefs is also required.

Skills

Core competencies include integrity, commitment, diversity, and adaptability. Key skills involve achieving results, accountability, professional expertise, analytical and strategic thinking, teamwork, and impactful communication. Specific expertise includes organizational leadership, strategic planning, policy advocacy, population and demographic analysis, sustainable financing, partnership engagement, knowledge management, and strategic communication. Proficiency in office software is expected.

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