National Individual Consultant: National Advocacy Analyst, Abuja, Nigeria - NOB, Abuja

Background Information

Title of Post:                       National Advocacy Analyst

Grade level of Post            NOB

Location:                            Abuja, Nigeria

Full/Part Time:                   Full Time

Contract Type:                   Individual Consultancy (IC)

Duration:                           3 months

CLOSING DATE:  SUNDAY 21 JUNE 2026

Please note that this vacancy announcement is only for Nigerian nationals.

Contextual Background

Nigeria is one of five priority countries chosen due to its significant maternal mortality burden, strong political leadership, status as an MNCH Commodity Accelerator Country, and identification as a 10 Million Safer Births (10MSBI) priority country.
Maternal Health Status: Nigeria records 75,000 maternal deaths annually. Key factors contributing to this crisis include limited availability of skilled birth attendants, poor quality of maternal care, especially at the primary healthcare level, and restricted healthcare decision-making autonomy for women in rural communities. Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and resources remain inadequate, with many facilities lacking essential equipment and trained personnel. There are also significant delays in seeking care due to cultural beliefs, low awareness, cost barriers, transportation challenges, and insecurity.
Workforce Challenge: The country faces a severe midwife shortfall. Estimates suggest needing up to 70,000 more midwives to achieve WHO targets, but factors like low pay, poor conditions, and limited resources push many to leave, creating massive gaps in maternal care. Health spending is low (approximately $90.92 in 2022, significantly lower than the $1,324.86 world average). Over 75% of health spending comes directly from patients, creating financial hardship.
Advantageous Policy Environment: Nigeria’s health policy environment is characterized by ambitious goals for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strong reforms (like the National Health Act/Insurance), but faces significant implementation hurdles due to chronic underfunding, weak infrastructure, political fragmentation, corruption, and severe health worker brain drain, all compounded by growing environmental health challenges and reliance on private healthcare, though recent policies aim to strengthen primary care and retain staff. Strong political commitment is evident, including the Nigerian Federal and State Ministries of Health’s explicit endorsement of the Midwifery Model of Care through its National Health Act/Insurance. Advocacy efforts are supported by a dedicated Nigeria Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (NSDNM) 2025–2030, a standardized midwifery curriculum, and midwifery leadership. Nigeria also has a very strong national Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives (NNANM)

Purpose of Consultancy

The primary goal is to increase investments and policy-level commitments to implement and scale up midwifery models of care that enable midwives to provide high-quality care and ensure essential, quality-assured maternal and newborn health (MNH) commodities are available in Nigeria. The Analyst will focus on accelerating domestic resource mobilization to significantly increase investments in MNH, building on Nigeria’s strong political commitment to the Midwifery Model of Care and to access to reproductive health commodities.

Scope of Work

The National Advocacy Analyst will coordinate and implement targeted, evidence-based advocacy activities using the SMART Advocacy approach (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to contribute to tangible policy and advocacy outcomes. 

A. Strategic Planning and Implementation of the Advocacy Plan Formulate and implement integrated country advocacy plans (impact pathways) for midwifery and MNH commodities, specifically aligned to EWENE Acceleration plans under the guidance and supervision of the UNFPA Nigeria Technical Specialist for Reproductive and Maternal Health. Target and track specific, measurable financial and policy goals (result framework) to increase investments and policy reform related to MNH. Actively engage key national stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Education, parliamentarians, and midwifery associations.

B. Strengthened Midwifery Models of Care

Advocate for and support government-led development, adoption, and funding of a comprehensive national midwifery strategy or roadmap. Coordinate the investment case analysis at the country level by managing a national consultant, engaging government and partners, and facilitating the discussion on required investment and resource allocation recommendations. Spearhead efforts to integrate maternal and newborn health priorities into national digital health strategies and policies. Identify potential promising entry points for integrating the Safe Delivery+ programme (10 Million Safer Births Initiative) within the national digital health worker training platforms.

C. Improved Access to Quality MNH Commodities

Develop SMART strategies specifically for MNH commodities advocacy. Advocate for sustainable MNH commodity financing and affordable MNH healthcare policies within universal health coverage, leveraging UNFPA compacts and match funding mechanisms and other innovative financing tools.

The expected outputs are:
Result Area 1: National Advocacy Strategy and Coordination Strengthened
Outcome: Nigeria has a coordinated, evidence-based advocacy strategy that advances investment in midwifery models of care and MNH commodities.
Key Deliverables:
1.    Develop and operationalize a Nigerian National Advocacy Strategy and Impact Pathway aligned with the Start With Her strategy.
2.    Conduct stakeholder power and influence mapping covering federal ministries, parliamentarians, professional associations, donors, and civil society.
3.    Establish or strengthen a National Midwifery Advocacy Coalition, including professional associations, civil society, and government actors.

Result Area 2: Increased Domestic Investment in Midwifery
Outcome: Government institutions increase policy and financial commitments to scale the midwifery model of care.
Key Deliverables:
1.    Support development of a national midwifery investment case demonstrating cost effectiveness and return on investment.
2.    Facilitate high-level policy dialogues with the Federal Ministries of Health, Finance, and Planning.
3.    Support government partners to develop or strengthen the National Midwifery Strategy/Roadmap.

Result Area 3: Strengthened Policy Environment for MNH Commodities
Outcome: Nigeria strengthens policy and financing mechanisms to ensure sustained access to essential maternal and newborn health commodities.
Key Deliverables:
1.    Conduct policy analysis on gaps in national commodity policies.
2.    Develop advocacy briefs on priority MNH commodities aligned with global guidance.
3.    Facilitate engagement with regulatory authorities and procurement agencies to support policy updates.

Result Area 4: Integration of Digital Midwifery Training
Outcome: Digital training tools are integrated into national systems for midwifery education and professional development.
Key Deliverables
1.    Conduct a mapping of national digital health training platforms.
2.    Advocate for integration of Safe Delivery+ digital training into pre-service and in-service midwifery training.
3.    Develop a concept note or integration roadmap for national digital health systems.

Result Area 5: Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy Influence
Outcome: Strong partnerships and alliances drive coordinated advocacy for maternal health investments.
Key Deliverables
1.    Establish partnerships with key professional associations, including the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.
2.    Coordinate advocacy engagement with donors and partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
3.    Facilitate multi-stakeholder advocacy dialogues involving government, civil society, and development partners.

Result Area 6: Advocacy Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning
Outcome: Advocacy interventions are tracked and contribute to measurable policy and investment outcomes.
Key Deliverables
1.    Develop an advocacy results framework and monitoring tracker.
2.    Produce quarterly advocacy progress reports.
3.    Document policy wins, commitments, and lessons learned.

Duration and working Schedule:

Three (3) Months

Places where services are to be delivered:

The consultant would be based in the UNFPA Country Office in Abuja. There will be field visits to designated project states.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The National Advocacy Analyst will work closely with the SRHR team to ensure coherence across all grant activities:

Meeting Participation: Participate in relevant internal coordination meetings, including the MNH check-in meetings with the Advocacy Specialist.  Coordination with donors: Work in close coordination with Gates Foundation country focal points to align national priorities and ensure synergy.

Supervisory arrangements:
The National Advocacy Analyst will be under the supervision of the Technical Specialist, Reproductive and Maternal Health at the country office. Further, he/she will be in constant communication and collaboration with the Advocacy Specialist and Programme Specialist from the HQ SRHR Branch.

Expected travel:

Minimum travel expected.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

She/he must possess a postgraduate degree in public health, international affairs, social sciences, or related fields with specialized knowledge in the field of advocacy, policy, mass communication, journalism, media studies, public relations, or a relevant discipline. At least two years of relevant experience is required with a solid understanding of advocacy work (policy research/analysis/design, diplomacy, strategy formulation, influencing strategy changes, representation at a high level, public communication). Experience coordinating and implementing targeted, evidence-based advocacy campaigns, ideally utilizing structured approaches like SMART Advocacy. Experience in advocating for sustainable maternal and newborn health (MNH) commodity financing and affordable MNH healthcare policies within the framework of universal health coverage will be an added advantage. Experience working with UN agencies, government, NGOs, or youth/civil society groups with demonstrated success in building and sustaining national advocacy coalitions. Strong drafting and writing skills with attention to detail. Good organizational, coordination, and time-management skills, and experience in programme support and management. Self-starter, proactive, with a passion for issues relevant to the UNFPA mandate. Computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools are mandatory.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA shall provide the following:

Logistic support for field missions to designated states and national advocacy events in line with UNFPA Travel Policy. Engage a co-consultant to support the development of midwifery investment case.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

The Consultant shall be paid in line with UNFPA human resource policy.

Languages: 

English Language

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 Communication for impact

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

Providing quality program support and technical assistance Empowering and building trust among both internal/external partners and stakeholders Managing resources Making decisions and exercising

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage qualified women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities. 

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.