Save the Children Senior Advisor, Maternal and Newborn Health – Apply Now
Save the Children International is inviting applications for a Senior Advisor, Maternal and Newborn Health, a global role supporting the organisation’s efforts to improve maternal and newborn health programming across different contexts.
The position is a permanent opportunity with flexible hybrid or remote working options. The successful candidate can be based in any approved Save the Children International office location where the organisation is able to hire. The role has a global remit and requires international travel of up to 40%.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and Save the Children may close the vacancy earlier than advertised if it receives a high volume of suitable applications. Candidates are therefore encouraged to apply as early as possible.
About the Senior Advisor Role
The Senior Advisor, Maternal and Newborn Health will provide strategic, technical and operational leadership to support high-quality maternal and newborn health programming across Save the Children’s global portfolio.
Working within the Survive Breakthrough team, the postholder will provide country-driven technical assistance and contribute to the development of tools, guidance and evidence. The role also includes capacity strengthening, knowledge exchange and external engagement.
A major part of the position will involve ensuring that maternal and newborn health programmes are inclusive, responsive to local contexts and aligned with both country priorities and global objectives.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will provide specialised technical guidance to Country Office teams and help ensure high standards in maternal and newborn health programme implementation.
Responsibilities include reviewing relevant awards for compliance with donor requirements and organisational policies, identifying opportunities for improvement, and applying specialised technical and donor knowledge to support the development of high-quality proposals and strategic plans.
The Senior Advisor will also oversee the design and quality assurance of capacity-building and training initiatives for national and local partners. This includes supporting sustainable maternal and newborn health interventions and strengthening the technical capacity of programme teams and partners.
Another important responsibility will be developing and coordinating partnerships with local actors, authorities and peer agencies. The postholder will participate in internal and external working groups, contribute to institutional learning and help strengthen systems that support Country Office colleagues implementing maternal and newborn health programmes.
The role may also involve managing global and multi-country projects and deploying to priority countries for emergency response and in-person technical support, with international travel of up to 40%.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should have deep technical knowledge and professional experience in maternal and newborn health, including experience designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating relevant programmes and interventions.
Experience in humanitarian settings is considered an added advantage.
Candidates should also have experience in capacity building, training and mentoring, particularly in areas such as emergency obstetric care (EmONC), essential newborn care (ENC), and care for small and sick newborns, including kangaroo mother care (KMC).
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are required, including knowledge and experience using tools such as bottleneck analysis to strengthen programmes.
Experience developing successful donor-funded proposals and strategic plans is essential. Candidates should also demonstrate experience reviewing awards for compliance with donor requirements and organisational policies.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills are important because the role requires presentations, training, influencing, coaching and relationship-building with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Education Requirements
An advanced degree in Public Health, Midwifery, Medicine, Nursing or a related field is required. Maternal and newborn health clinical experience is preferred.
Save the Children notes that extensive professional experience may be considered in place of a formal degree.
The required working language is English, while international travel may be required for programme support and emergency response activities.
Working at Save the Children International
Save the Children describes itself as the world’s leading organisation for children, with approximately 25,000 staff working across 116 countries.
The organisation works to save children’s lives, protect their rights and help children fulfil their potential, with particular attention to children who are most deprived and marginalised.
Employees work in a collaborative environment where ambition, creativity and integrity are valued. The organisation’s work is guided by its global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and its commitment to reaching every last child.
Diversity and Equal Opportunities
Save the Children states that diversity, equity and inclusion are central to its vision, values and global strategy. The organisation welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and is committed to equal employment opportunities.
Reasonable adjustments are available for candidates invited to interview who require them.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter with their application. Save the Children recommends that candidates save a copy of the role profile because it may no longer be available once the advert closes.
The recruitment process generally includes an application review followed by two-stage competency-based interviews. Depending on the recruitment process, candidates may also be required to complete an assessment, case study or additional interview stage. Successful candidates receive a conditional offer subject to background checks.
Important: Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
