EngenderHealth is a global leader dedicated to fostering sexual and reproductive health rights, with a mission to create a gender-equal world where everyone can achieve their full potential. By supporting informed choices about sexuality and childbearing, EngenderHealth seeks to empower individuals to live fulfilling lives based on their own aspirations and values. Working alongside local communities and civil society organizations, EngenderHealth prioritizes health and rights, aiming to build resilient health systems and policies that ensure sustainable, high-quality healthcare access for all.
At the core of EngenderHealth’s work is a commitment to collaboration and impact. The organization actively partners with governmental bodies, local health systems, and global initiatives to cultivate environments where sexual and reproductive health services are accessible, inclusive, and sustainable. In Ethiopia, EngenderHealth has been particularly impactful through its REACH (Reach, Expand, and Access Community Health) project, which addresses Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) needs. This project, implemented in collaboration with Amref Health Africa, is currently operational in Ethiopia’s Jimma and Borena zones, with an emphasis on improving health outcomes and ensuring equitable access to services for communities in these regions.
EngenderHealth’s Ethiopia team embodies the organization’s commitment to gender equity and social change. By advocating for the integration of menstrual health and hygiene services into public health and education frameworks, EngenderHealth plays a crucial role in creating sustainable solutions that address adolescent health needs. For this reason, the organization is seeking dedicated professionals to join their mission and contribute to this impactful work. They are currently looking for a skilled and committed Menstrual Hygiene and Health (MHH) Advisor to provide expert guidance and leadership within the REACH project.
Position: Menstrual Hygiene and Health (MHH) Advisor
The position of Menstrual Hygiene and Health (MHH) Advisor at EngenderHealth is a vital role within the REACH project. Based in Addis Ababa and reporting directly to the Project Director, the MHH Advisor will work closely with the project team to provide technical assistance in menstrual health, ensuring that EngenderHealth’s standards and practices are consistently applied across all interventions. This role is designed for a qualified professional who can effectively integrate MHH services within the existing health and educational frameworks, ensuring public health systems in Ethiopia are equipped to address the unique health needs of adolescent girls.
The MHH Advisor’s primary responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of menstrual health interventions within schools and communities, which involves close collaboration with regional education and health bureaus. By working two days a week within the regional bureaus, the Advisor will ensure that the project’s objectives align with public health goals and are embraced at a systemic level. This role also requires hands-on guidance in establishing school-based outlets for menstrual health management (MHM) products and setting up a local production center for reusable sanitary pads in collaboration with vocational training centers and women’s social affairs offices. Through these initiatives, the Advisor will play a significant part in improving access to affordable menstrual health products and creating supportive environments for adolescent girls in schools.
As a lead technical expert, the MHH Advisor will also support the field team in conducting MHM audits within schools, identifying challenges, and finding solutions to increase access to essential health products. Working alongside EngenderHealth’s monitoring and evaluation team, the Advisor will assess barriers to menstrual health and implement a sustainable market system that ensures the consistent availability of sanitary pads. This role is pivotal in achieving EngenderHealth’s goals of providing comprehensive menstrual health support to underserved communities while also addressing broader social determinants of health, such as access to education and job opportunities for young women.
Key Responsibilities of the MHH Advisor
The Menstrual Hygiene and Health Advisor at EngenderHealth is tasked with a range of responsibilities essential to the successful implementation of MHH services. A core aspect of the role involves close coordination with educational institutions to establish MHH facilities within schools. This includes setting up safe spaces where adolescent girls can access sanitary products, as well as implementing life skills and peer-to-peer education programs that encourage open discussions about menstrual health. The Advisor will also facilitate the development of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, supporting a comprehensive strategy that includes billboards, radio messages, and brochures to educate communities about menstrual hygiene.
Moreover, the MHH Advisor will play an instrumental role in building local capacity by providing training sessions for field officers and school staff. This training will enhance the knowledge and skills of those who directly support students, helping them address the specific needs related to menstrual hygiene management. The Advisor will further liaise with the zonal women’s social affairs offices and technical, vocational, and educational training centers to foster income-generating activities, including the production of reusable sanitary pads. By doing so, EngenderHealth aims to create a self-sustaining system that benefits both students in need and the broader community.
The MHH Advisor will also be responsible for maintaining partnerships with government agencies, local stakeholders, and national MHH working groups. This involves ensuring that all planned activities are harmonized with regional and local government plans, fostering community ownership, and advocating for the continued prioritization of menstrual health and hygiene within Ethiopia’s public health policy. Through regular reporting and analysis, the Advisor will document best practices and lessons learned, enabling EngenderHealth to refine its approach and continuously improve its impact in the menstrual health sector.
Qualifications and Skills
EngenderHealth seeks an MHH Advisor with a Master’s degree in public health, social sciences, or a related field, along with at least eight years of experience in adolescent and youth health interventions, especially in menstrual health and WaSH initiatives. The ideal candidate will have experience in school-based health programs and a thorough understanding of Ethiopia’s educational and health structures. Strong technical skills in program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation are essential, as is the ability to mentor and guide junior staff members and partners in menstrual health management.
Essential soft skills include a commitment to EngenderHealth’s core values of inclusion, respect, integrity, and transformation. The MHH Advisor must demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, particularly in working with diverse communities and coordinating with local stakeholders. Proficiency in English, attention to detail, and the capacity to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment are critical for success in this role. Candidates with a background in life skills education, peer education, and menstrual hygiene initiatives are especially encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
If you are a passionate advocate for menstrual health and gender equality, EngenderHealth invites you to apply for the position of MHH Advisor. To join this impactful organization and contribute to transforming the lives of young people and communities across Ethiopia, submit your application through the EngenderHealth careers portal: https://www.engenderhealth.org/about/work-with-us/careers. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply for this position and contribute to EngenderHealth’s vision of a more equal and health-positive world.
This role is an exceptional opportunity to make a lasting impact in Ethiopia’s health landscape, supporting girls and adolescents in their journey toward empowerment and well-being.