Deadline: 10-Apr-2026
UNFPA invites organizations to support Component 2 of the SWEDD+ project in West and Central Africa, focusing on strengthening health supply chains, improving access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health services, and enhancing the capacity of qualified health personnel. The initiative targets logistics optimization, regional stock monitoring, and innovative solutions to ensure efficient delivery of health products and quality services.
Programme Overview
The SWEDD+ (Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend) project, implemented in partnership with the United Nations and the World Bank Group, aims to empower women and adolescent girls in Sub-Saharan Africa by improving access to quality sexual and reproductive health, maternal, newborn, child, and nutrition services.
Component 2 Focus
Component 2 strengthens regional and national capacities to ensure:
- Availability of essential health products
- Increased numbers of qualified health professionals delivering services
- Efficient and resilient health supply chains
Key technical areas include:
- Adolescent health and sexual/reproductive health
- Maternal and newborn health, including emergency obstetric care
- Reproductive health services
- Logistics: procurement, distribution, warehouse and inventory management
Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen national institutional capacities in health service delivery
- Improve access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and nutrition services (SRMNIN)
- Support qualified health personnel, particularly midwives, through mentoring and retention strategies
- Operationalize regional stock monitoring systems
- Promote innovative solutions in health logistics to improve efficiency and last-mile delivery
Who is Eligible?
UNFPA seeks an implementing partner organization with:
- Technical expertise in health supply chain management and logistics
- Experience in supporting Ministries of Health and national institutions
- Capacity to improve community-based distribution of contraceptives and other essential health products
- Ability to operationalize regional monitoring platforms and enhance human resource capacity in health
How the Programme Works
1. Supply Chain Strengthening
- Improve last-mile delivery of health commodities
- Support procurement processes and warehouse management
- Operationalize regional stock monitoring systems
2. Human Resource Support
- Mentoring and capacity building for midwives and other health personnel
- Address postpartum hemorrhage and maternal care challenges
- Enhance recruitment, deployment, retention, and motivation in rural areas
3. Innovation and Efficiency
- Introduce innovative health logistics solutions
- Optimize distribution networks to maximize access to essential health products
- Strengthen institutional capacities to ensure sustainable improvements
Expected Outcomes
- Efficient and resilient regional health supply chains
- Improved availability and accessibility of SRMNIN services
- Strengthened institutional and human resource capacity
- Enhanced monitoring and reporting systems
- Increased empowerment and health outcomes for women, adolescent girls, and young women
Tips for Applicants
- Demonstrate technical expertise in supply chain management, logistics, and health services delivery
- Highlight experience working with Ministries of Health and regional mechanisms
- Include strategies for mentoring, recruitment, and retention of qualified health personnel
- Provide examples of innovative solutions implemented in similar contexts
- Ensure alignment with SWEDD+ objectives and regional health priorities
FAQ
Q1: What is the SWEDD+ project?
A1: SWEDD+ (Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend) is a UNFPA-led initiative in partnership with the UN and World Bank, focused on empowering women and adolescent girls through improved access to health and nutrition services.
Q2: What does Component 2 focus on?
A2: Strengthening supply chains, enhancing institutional capacities, improving SRMNIN service access, and supporting qualified health personnel.
Q3: Who can apply?
A3: Organizations with technical expertise in health logistics, supply chain management, and capacity building for national health institutions.
Q4: Which countries are involved?
A4: Selected countries in West and Central Africa participating in the SWEDD+ initiative.
Q5: What are the main objectives for health personnel?
A5: Clinical mentoring, capacity building for midwives, improved recruitment, deployment, retention, and motivation in rural areas.
Q6: What logistics activities are included?
A6: Procurement of goods and services, warehouse and inventory management, last-mile delivery, and operationalizing regional stock monitoring systems.
Q7: What outcomes are expected?
A7: Strengthened institutional capacities, more efficient supply chains, improved monitoring systems, and enhanced delivery of quality SRMNIN services.
Conclusion
Component 2 of SWEDD+ offers an opportunity for organizations to strengthen health supply chains, improve access to essential services, and empower qualified health personnel across West and Central Africa. By implementing innovative and efficient logistics solutions and supporting national institutions, partners can significantly enhance maternal, newborn, adolescent, and reproductive health outcomes in the region.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
