Overview
The Strategic Engagement Advisor leads the Policy, Population and Data Unit in the Malawi Country Office, reporting to the Representative. The role focuses on advancing UNFPA's work on demographic change, population dynamics, sustainable financing, and evidence-based development planning, contributing to the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026–2029.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead UNFPA engagement to integrate population dynamics into national development planning.
- Lead high-level policy dialogue with government counterparts, UN, and development partners.
- Utilise population data, trends, and demographic intelligence to inform country-specific strategies and advocacy messages.
- Oversee support to the Government of Malawi in census, population-based surveys, and civil registration systems.
- Advocate for and strengthen national capacity to gather, analyse, and use disaggregated data.
- Lead UNFPA engagement on sustainable financing for population and SRHR programmes.
- Strengthen partnerships and promote evidence-based advocacy.
- Develop and implement a political engagement strategy with key stakeholders.
- Provide strategic leadership and supervision for the Population and Data Unit.
Required Experience
- At least 7 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in policy development, demographic analysis, development and/or health economics, public financing, national development planning, policy development.
- Demonstrated experience in policy engagement and strategic dialogue with government institutions.
- Proven experience in using population data, demographic trends, and analytical evidence to inform policy development, national planning processes, and development strategies.
- Experience supporting evidence-based policy advocacy and strengthening accountability mechanisms related to population dynamics, SRHR, and development commitments.
- Demonstrated ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Experience in developing policy briefs, analytical reports, or strategic think pieces, and talking points.
- Significant work experience in the SRHR, Gender, Youth areas required.
- Working experience in Humanitarian context is an asset.
- Experience in programme/project management including experience in large multi-sector programmes.
- Strong knowledge on Results Based Programming and budgeting.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and experience with management of staff in multi-locations.
- A thorough understanding of the UN system, UNFPA mandate, policies, operations, and current development topics and political issues in Malawi.
- Working experience with Government, NGO, parliamentarians, Foundation, or private sector in Malawi.
- Demonstrated ability to work in and lead a team to achieve evidence-based results.
Qualifications
A completed Master’s Degree in Demography, Economics, Population Studies, Public Policy, Political Science, Statistics, Development Studies, Public Health
