Consultant for Midwifery Investment Case Development

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading organization that focuses on reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, working to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. They work in partnership with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to strengthen health systems and improve access to essential health services, particularly in underserved areas.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is focused on developing a Midwifery Investment Case specifically for Sierra Leone, a country that has made significant strides in maternal and neonatal health but still faces challenges, particularly in rural areas. The consultant will lead a analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">technical analysis to inform strategic investments and policy formulation aimed at improving midwifery services. This role involves conducting a comprehensive situational analysis of the current maternal and neonatal health landscape, assessing the midwifery workforce, and defining high-impact interventions tailored to the local context. The consultant will also engage with various stakeholders to ensure broad participation and buy-in for the investment case, which is crucial for mobilizing resources and improving health outcomes. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality and accessibility of midwifery services, thereby contributing to the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Sierra Leone.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a range of tasks, including organizing and facilitating stakeholder engagement workshops, conducting a detailed review of maternal and neonatal health indicators, and identifying gaps in the current midwifery services. They will define a Midwifery Intervention Package that aligns with national priorities and develop health impact models to project outcomes such as lives saved and morbidity reductions. Additionally, the consultant will analyze the existing midwifery workforce, develop strategies for workforce strengthening, and assess systemic factors affecting midwifery services. The consultant will also prepare validation workshops and stakeholder consultations to incorporate feedback into the final investment case document, ensuring that the findings are disseminated effectively through policy briefs and advocacy materials.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Public Health, Midwifery, Medicine, Nursing, or related health sciences. They should have at least 7 years of experience in Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH), health systems strengthening, or health workforce planning. Demonstrated experience with impact modeling tools relevant to reproductive health service packages is essential, along with knowledge of Sierra Leone’s health system and policies. Proven experience in developing investment cases and policy advocacy in low-resource settings is also required. Excellent analytical, facilitation, and communication skills in English are mandatory for this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Midwifery, Medicine, Nursing, or related health sciences is required. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of maternal and neonatal health and for developing effective strategies and policies that can be implemented in Sierra Leone's context.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in areas such as Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH), health systems strengthening, or health workforce planning. Candidates should have a strong track record of working in low-resource settings and should be familiar with the challenges and opportunities present in Sierra Leone's health landscape.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as the consultant will need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders and produce high-quality written reports. Knowledge of local languages may be advantageous but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 25 working days within a timeframe of 3 months. The consultant will report to the UNFPA Sierra Leone Country Office and will work closely with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. Regular review meetings will be held to assess progress and resolve challenges. The payment for the consultancy will be milestone-based, with specific deliverables tied to payment tranches. Interested applicants are required to submit a letter of interest, a CV with evidence of qualifications and experience, and a sample of a relevant product from previous work.