The Position: The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, UNFPA and other key stakeholders, has been implementing the National Family Planning Strategy (2022-2026) as a guiding framework for advancing family planning (FP) services across the country. The strategy has been instrumental in promoting accessible, high-quality, integrated, equitable, and rights-based family planning services. A new strategy needs to be developed as the current strategy expires at the end of the year. Resources to support the development of a new national strategy have been mobilised under the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Programme.
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 Summary
- Type: full-time
- Location: Harare
- Category: Consultancy
- Closing Date: 2026-07-27
Key Responsibilities
- Assess the extent to which the objectives, targets, and priorities of the 2022-2026 Family Planning Strategy were achieved;
- Evaluate the effectiveness, relevance, efficiency and sustainability of implemented interventions;
- Identify key achievements, best practices, innovations, challenges, gaps, and barriers affecting implementation
- Review trends in family planning indicators, including the modern contraceptive prevalence rate, unmet need and method mix;
- Evaluate financing, governance, commodity stock security, coordination, and accountability mechanisms;
- Generate strategic recommendations for future programming.
- Develop a clear strategic vision, goals, and priorities for family planning programming in Zimbabwe;
- Define strategic interventions based on evidence from the strategy review;
- Align the strategy with national, regional, and global reproductive health commitments;
- Develop measurable objectives, indicators, and implementation targets;
- Establish an implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and accountability framework;
- Provide a resource mobilization and financing framework for implementation. Cost the strategy
- Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant documents, including: -Family Planning Strategy (2022-2026) -Annual FP programme reports -Monitoring and evaluation reports -National health sector strategies -Demographic and health survey reports -DHIS2 service statistics -FP2030 commitment reports -Partner reports and evaluations -Relevant policy and regulatory documents
- Engage key stakeholders through interviews, focus group discussions, and consultative meetings, including, Government ministries and departments, provincial and district health teams, development partners, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, community representatives, adolescents and youth groups and private sector actors
- Assess progress against strategic objectives using agreed evaluation criteria such as – Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Sustainability and Impact
- Conduct a situational assessment of the following; family planning service delivery landscape, demographic trends, policy environment, financing mechanisms, commodity security, human resources capacity, demand generation and emerging reproductive health priorities
- The consultant should develop: -Strategic vision -Mission statement -Strategic objectives -Conceptual framework -Theory of change -Environmental Analysis -Strategic interventions -Monitoring and Evaluation framework -Costed implementation plan -Key performance indicators -Risk mitigation framework
- The consultant should facilitate a stakeholder validation workshop to refine and finalize the strategy.
Requirements
- Education: Advanced degree in Public Health, Demography, Health Policy, Development Studies, or related field; Advanced degree in Public Health, Demography, Health Policy, Development Studies, or related field;
- At least 7-10 years’ experience in strategic planning, programme evaluation, or reproductive health;
- Strong expertise in family planning and sexual and reproductive health programming;
- Experience conducting strategy reviews and developing national strategic plans;
- Strong analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills;
- Familiarity with Zimbabwe’s health system and policy environment.
- Languages: Excellent communication skills in English and Shona and/or Ndebele.
Salary
this position offer…
How to Apply
To apply, please visit: ihararejobs.com
About the Company
UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador is an official postnominal honorific title, title of authority, legal status and job description assigned to those goodwill ambassadors and advocates who are designated by the United Nations. UNFPA goodwill ambassadors are celebrity advocates of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and use their talent and fame to advocate for the human right of reproductive health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What typical qualifications and experience are required for a Local Consultant developing national strategies in Zimbabwe, especially with an organization like UNFPA?
Candidates usually need a Master's degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Development Studies, or a related field. Extensive practical experience in policy formulation, research, and stakeholder engagement within Zimbabwe's development sector is crucial, demonstrating an understanding of the local context.
What are the common day-to-day responsibilities for a Local Consultant working on a national strategy development project in Zimbabwe?
Daily tasks often involve conducting desk research, facilitating workshops with diverse stakeholders, and drafting comprehensive strategy documents and reports. Consultants also engage in extensive consultations with government ministries, civil society organizations, and community representatives across Zimbabwe.
What are the typical work culture and expectations for consultants in Zimbabwe, particularly when collaborating on national strategies?
Collaboration and cultural sensitivity are paramount, requiring strong interpersonal skills to navigate diverse stakeholder perspectives within the Zimbabwean context. Consultants are expected to be proactive, adaptable, and highly professional in their engagement with government bodies and local communities.
What are realistic career progression paths for a Local Consultant after completing a significant project like developing a national strategy in Zimbabwe?
Successfully completing such a project can lead to further national or regional consultancy opportunities with NGOs, UN agencies, or government bodies. It significantly enhances one's profile as a subject matter expert in development policy and strategic planning within Zimbabwe.
What benefits, beyond the direct consultancy fee, can a Local Consultant typically expect in Zimbabwe for such a project?
For consultancy roles, traditional employee benefits like medical aid or pension are generally not provided, as consultants are independent contractors. Compensation is typically an all-inclusive daily or lump-sum fee, which covers all personal expenses including any self-sourced benefits.
When applying for a Local Consultant role in Zimbabwe for national strategy development, what do organizations typically look for in candidates?
Employers seek demonstrable expertise in the subject matter, strong analytical and report-writing skills, and proven experience working with national stakeholders in Zimbabwe. A well-articulated proposal outlining your methodology and understanding of the local context is often key to a successful application.