Since 2008, Thamini Uhai a non-governmental organization has contributed to the Government of Tanzania’s national efforts to reduce maternal and early neonatal mortality. Thamini Uhai supported the  

introduction and implementation of a maternal health program by bringing quality EmONC to Kigoma, Pwani and Morogoro regions. 

In 2016 as part of improving the experience of care that leads to a positive childbirth experience Thamini Uhai introduced, implemented and scaled up the birth  companionship program a key ingredient in promoting respectful maternity care in Kigoma, Katavi  and Geita regions by supporting the upgrading of labour rooms for audio and visual privacy to  support birth companionship practice in 25 health facilities contributing to governments efforts  to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Tanzania. Thamini Uhai is Headquartered in Dar-es salaam and has a sub-office in Kigoma.  

Thamini Uhai is seeking a highly motivated and experienced candidate to join a strong, innovative  and creative team in the organization in the position described below: 

Position : Advocacy and Communication Coordinator 

Duty station : Kigoma and Dar es Salaam 

Reporting to : Executive Director 

Purpose of the role: 

In collaboration with the Government of Tanzania at all levels and key BC stakeholders, contribute  to the development and implementation of a strategic advocacy plan that will enhance the  sustainability of birth companionship (BC) practice in Kigoma, Katavi and Geita. The key focus will  be to ensure that key stakeholders are engaged in designing, developing and monitoring an  actionable BC sustainability strategy. The Coordinator will play a coordination role throughout the  advocacy effort while documenting the process  

The Advocacy and Communication Coordinator will be further responsible for leading the exploration of potential inroads to sustainability through an understanding of the Maternal (MRH)  financing and budget advocacy/communication for Kigoma, Katavi, and Geita Tanzania with targeting sustaining BC in existing sites and scale-up to other sites countrywide. Responsibilities will be directly aimed at exploring the best course forward to advocate for allocating and increased Birth companionship practice budget appropriations/allocations for Kigoma, Katavi, and  Geita. The role may involve carrying out secondary research such as budget tracking, but will focus primarily on mapping the process and the players figured out to inform advocacy for sustainability. 

Key Responsibilities: 

The Consultant’s duties shall include, but are not limited to: 

1. Participate in the development of the strategic advocacy plan for the sustainability of project activities after the handover of the project to the government in 2026. 2. Lead the implementation of the strategic advocacy plan, and communication strategy,  monitor the achievements and challenges in its implementation, and provide feedback to  Thamini Uhai on implementation progress. 
2. Build relationships with the national, regional, and district levels leadership and work with 

all those levels to ensure there are concrete plans for the sustainability of project activities beyond the project end, milestones for that are set and implementation adheres to the milestones. 

4. Based on the nature of meetings and technical expertise required/available, ensure the appropriate selection of representatives from partner organizations and prepare them for the same. 
5. Coordinate communication with different stakeholders on the implementation of sustainability plans to ensure there are linkages and synergies among the levels during implementation. 
6. Lead in building advocacy coalitions towards sustainability of birth companionship policies and implementation at national, regional, and district levels, coordinate the coalitions in raising voices concerning the sustainability of project activities specifically on the availability of Human Resources for Health in the facilities. 
7. Participate in relevant Kigoma, Katavi, and Geita regional and national advocacy meetings. 8. Provide updates to the supervisor on the achievements in the advocacy work every month and coordinate a meeting to share the results of his/her advocacy work with Thamini Uhai every quarter. 
8. Continually explore and document potential options for sustaining Birth Companionship intervention in Tanzania. 
9. Continually review and update the process for increased appropriations and allocations for Birth Companion within the national and local government (Kigoma, Katavi, and Geita)  budget by 2026. 
10. Track national, and local budgets to inform advocacy efforts 
11. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor. 

Education and Experience: 

1. Masters of Public Health, Public Administration, Economics, Social Sciences or related degree from a recognized institution. 
2. A minimum working experience of 10 years in development projects supporting and/or working with the government or the government itself. Experience in transitioning a donor-funded program over to the government will be an added advantage. 
3. Experience in the following needed: health or education-related advocacy and  communication work showing evidence of proven wins; work with local, district,  regional and national-level government officials; experience in participating in the  development of budgets in the districts, analyzing them and/or disbursement of funds  from the central government to the district; experience with the media communication  activities (print, television, radio and social) 
4. Experience in the following areas preferred: Influencing translation and implementation of policy at various levels; strengthening the health system in delivering maternal and reproductive health services including Birth Companion priority setting and budgeting;  monitoring and evaluation; community-based health programs.
5. Knowledge and understanding of the Tanzanian health system structure and health financing processes including budget cycles at national and subnational levels highly preferred. 
6. Strong experience in using and communicating evidence effectively to different stakeholders to better inform MRH planning, decision-making, advocacy, and accountability efforts. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

1. Fluent in English and Kiswahili 
2. Good interpersonal skills and ability to develop working relationships with a wide range  of people including government officials, staff, donors, partners and other NGO  colleagues 
3. Ability to solve problems and make decisions 
4. Excellent organizational skills 
5. Demonstrated motivation, positive attitude, team spirit, and initiative 6. Ability to manage multiple tasks at the same time in a demanding work environment 7. Must be able to work in a diverse team environment and able to work a flexible work  schedule 
6. Well organized with good attention to detail and willingness to do comprehensive work. 9. Willingness and ability to travel frequently in rural Kigoma, Katavi, Geita and Dodoma 10. Strong computer knowledge in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

Compensation: Thamini Uhai is an equality employer, salary will be set according to education,  experience, and previous compensation history.  

How to apply:  

• Email a cover letter and your Curriculum Vitae ONLY, along with the names, email  addresses and phone numbers of three professional references, with the title in the  subject line: “Advocacy and Communication Coordinator” to hr@thaminiuhai.or.tz 
• Only complete applications will be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be  contacted and will be required to bring their original certificates during the interview. ∙ Thamini Uhai is an equal-opportunity employer. 

Closing Date: 23th August, 2024