Public Health Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the lead agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure that every individual has the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health. The organization focuses on four interconnected outcomes: ending unmet needs for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, eliminating gender-based violence, and adapting to demographic changes through evidence-based policies. UNFPA is committed to promoting human rights and gender equality, and it seeks principled and ethical staff who embody these values and can deliver high-impact results in a rapidly changing development landscape.

Job Overview:
The Public Health Consultant will lead the development of the midwifery investment case in Kenya, which is a critical initiative aimed at improving Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH). This role involves conducting a comprehensive situation analysis, defining health interventions, modeling health impacts of scaled-up midwifery care, and developing a workforce development strategy. The consultant will work under the supervision of the SRHR & Health Systems Specialist and collaborate with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and professional associations. The consultant's work is essential for adapting global frameworks to the Kenyan context and generating evidence to drive improvements in midwifery services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for leading a thorough situation analysis of the SRMNCAH landscape in Kenya, which includes reviewing maternal and neonatal mortality rates and existing policies. They will define a midwifery intervention package aligned with national priorities, model health impacts using tools like the Lives Saved Tool (LiST), and conduct a workforce analysis to estimate requirements for delivering the intervention package. The consultant will also assess the enabling environment for midwifery, draft the final investment case, and facilitate workshops and stakeholder engagement to validate findings and build consensus. Key deliverables include comprehensive reports, an inception report, and a final integrated investment case document with a roadmap for implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Public Health, Midwifery, Medicine, Nursing, or a related health field. They should have a minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience in SRMNCAH, health systems strengthening, or health workforce planning. Demonstrated experience in conducting health situation analyses and design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design in low- or middle-income countries is essential. Knowledge of health impact modeling tools, particularly the Lives Saved Tool (LiST), is an asset. Candidates should also have a strong understanding of the Kenyan health system and experience working in Kenya or the East and Southern Africa region is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Public Health, Midwifery, Medicine, Nursing, or a related health field is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of health systems and the specific needs related to midwifery and maternal health.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience in areas related to Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH), health systems strengthening, or health workforce planning. Candidates should have a proven track record in conducting health situation analyses and program design, particularly in low- or middle-income countries, which is vital for the successful execution of the consultancy.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as all reports and communications will be conducted in English. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is for a period of 45 days over four months, commencing the day after the contract's signature. The consultant is expected to work remotely, utilizing their own office space and equipment. Payments will be made in three tranches upon successful submission and approval of deliverables. UNFPA will provide relevant support and guidance, including facilitating contacts with stakeholders and sharing necessary documents. The organization promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.