About Thamini Uhai

Thamini Uhai, formerly World Lung Foundation, is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization that has partnered with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania since 2008 to reduce maternal and early neonatal mortality and strengthen health systems in underserved rural areas. From 2008 to 2019, Thamini Uhai worked with Bloomberg Philanthropies to expand quality Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care services and, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Local Government Authorities, piloted and scaled birth companionship as a core element of respectful maternity care across 27 health facilities in Kigoma, Katavi, Geita, and Mwanza Regions.

Partnership Program for Maternal and Newborn Health Improvement in Tanzania

Thamini Uhai has received funding for the implementation of the Partnership Program for Comprehensive and Integrated Maternal and Newborn Health Improvement (Mjamzito na Mtoto Salama) in Tanzania. This is a five-year program implemented in 3 regions of Tanzania Mainland. The initiative is jointly supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Gates Foundation and will be implemented in two phases:

• September 2025 to June 2027
• July 2027 to June 2030

The program will be implemented in:

• Geita
• Katavi
• Kigoma regions

The program will contribute to accelerating 2030 SDG targets through improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in Tanzania by strengthening the delivery of quality and respectful Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) - including postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), antenatal care, and comprehensive newborn care, with a particular emphasis on scaling up care for small and sick newborns. The initiative will also provide strategic technical support to the Ministry of Health in reviewing technical guidelines and associated learning resources.

Advocacy and Communications Manager (1 position)

Department: Program

Reports to: Director of Programs

Assignment type: Full-time

Location: Dar-es-salaam

Length: One year

Position Summary

The Advocacy and Communications Manager leads the planning and implementation of social and behavior change communication (SBC), advocacy, and strategic partnership initiatives, ensuring alignment with program deliverables and approved budgets. The role is responsible for coordinating the development of the organization’s annual report in collaboration with technical, finance, and operations teams, and contributes to donor reporting, documentation of success stories, best practices, and scientific and media dissemination through THAMINI UHAI website and media platforms. Additionally, the Manager oversees high-level partner and government engagement, fostering an enabling environment to support the adoption and scale-up of high-impact program interventions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Leading

• Coordinate high-level partnership meetings with government institutions, implementing partners, and development partners.
• Lead the review and updating of existing organizational policies, and facilitate the development of new policies and standard operating procedures as required.
• Coordinate the compilation and design of the organization’s annual report in close collaboration with the program technical, finance, and operations teams.
• Lead program documentation and the dissemination of success stories and best practices by overseeing content collection and the development of materials for website and media platforms, including editorial reviews and press releases.
• Coordinate communication with different stakeholders on the implementation of sustainability plans to ensure there are linkages and synergies among the levels during implementation.
• Lead advocacy efforts by building and strengthening coalitions to promote the sustainability of program interventions, including support for the recruitment and equitable distribution of human resources for health to enhance quality service delivery.
• Lead advocacy efforts through building coalitions for promoting sustainability of program interventions promoting recruitment, distribution of human resource for health for quality service delivery.
• Coordinate Tanzania chapter gates funded partner’s engagement meetings and co-participation in national level technical and advocacy meetings.

Supporting

• Work with program technical teams in building relationships and development of advocacy agenda for sustainability.
• Support program team in organizing semi-annual high level program progress review meetings with the Ministry of Health, PMO RALG and RHMTs.
• Contribute to scientific documentation and business development to mobilize funds for implementation of THAMINI UHAI strategic focus interventions.
• Work with Finance and Operations Departments to track budgets, ensure transparency, and comply with donor requirements for advocacy related scope.
• Represent the organization in national and sub-national events alongside the Executive Director, contributing to strategic partnership development and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide support to Communications Specialists in finalizing website updates, including uploading event content, media releases, reports, publications, and documentary materials.
• Support the Communications Assistant by preparing speeches and board meeting presentations, and by coordinating and managing journalists during all THAMINI UHAI events requiring media coverage.
• Facilitate the development and finalization of national and regional Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with government institutions and implementing partners, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and compliance with relevant policies and frameworks.

Advisory

• Provide strategic guidance on high-level partnerships with government, development, and implementing partners to advance organizational priorities.
• Advise on the development and review of organizational policies, frameworks, and standard operating procedures.
• Guide program documentation, knowledge management, and dissemination of best practices and success stories.
• Offer strategic direction on advocacy priorities, coalition building, and sustainability of program interventions, including human resources for health.
• Advise on stakeholder engagement and communication strategies to ensure coordination and alignment across all levels.
• Support resource mobilization through guidance on scientific documentation, proposal development, and donor positioning.
• Provide oversight on advocacy-related budgeting, compliance, and donor requirements.
• Guide communications strategy, including media engagement, digital platforms, and development of key messaging and materials.

Technical Expertise, Skills and Behaviors

• Masters of Public Health, Law, Public Administration, International Relations, Economics, Social Sciences or related degree from accredited institution.
• A minimum working experience of 10 years in development projects supporting advocacy and partnership work, with demonstrated and track record of CCHP budget allocations and successful transitioning a donor-funded program over to government oversight will be a critical added advantage.
• Experience in health or education-related advocacy and communications work showing evidence of wins, work with technocrats, parliamentarian committees, national and regional level government officials.
• Proven experience in participating in development of district budgets, analyzing them and/or disbursement of funds from central government, experience with media communications activities (print, television, radio and social media).
• In-depth understanding of Tanzania health system structure and health financing process including budget cycles at national and sub-national level highly preferred.
• String experience in suing communicating evidence effectively to different stakeholders to better inform human resource for health planning, decision-making, advocacy and accountability efforts.
• Strong ability to moderate high level events, combining national and international platforms with practical training is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, flexibility, and a strong work ethic.

How to Apply

Suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a cover letter and updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) as one consolidated PDF document to hr@thaminiuhai.or.tz with the subject line of the position applied. Applicants are required to include three (3) professional referees with valid contact details in their CV. The deadline for submission is 15th May 2026. Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not been contacted by 19th May 2026, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Non-discrimination Note

Diversity, fairness, and merit drive our recruitments, which aligned to the organization's mission, vision, and values.