Consultant Midwife

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and 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 and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which aims to reduce maternal mortality. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes transformative results, including ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. The organization advocates for gender equality and diversity within its workforce and promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Job Overview:
The Consultant Midwife position is integral to the National Midwifery Programme in Bangladesh, which is focused on deploying midwives across public health facilities to enhance the quality of maternity and sexual and reproductive health services. The consultant will work directly under the Chief-of-Health at UNFPA Bangladesh, providing high-level coordination and technical support to accelerate initiatives aimed at improving midwifery services. The role involves ensuring the effective deployment of midwives, supporting mentorship programs, and facilitating international cooperation to strengthen midwifery education and services. The consultant will also be responsible for developing proposals for funding and collaborating with various stakeholders to achieve the program's objectives by 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key areas:

• Midwifery Deployment: Fast-tracking the approval processes for midwifery post creations and deployments across various health facilities, including District Hospitals and Upzilla Health Complexes. Liaising with government officials and city corporations to facilitate midwifery post creation and deployment. Organizing workshops with private clinics to promote midwifery-led care.
• Midwifery Mentorship Programme: Supporting the phased rollout of a mentorship program for midwives, reviewing and updating mentorship guidelines, and establishing accountability frameworks for mentored midwives.
• International Partnerships: Reviewing activities of international partners and ensuring sustainability through exit plans.
• South-South Cooperation: Coordinating collaboration between Bangladesh and other countries, particularly in faculty development and midwifery education.
• MSc Midwifery Course: Assisting in the introduction of a Master's program in midwifery in Bangladesh.
• Concept Note Development: Creating a concept note and full proposal for Norway's support of the midwifery program.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in midwifery, women's health, or a related field, and must be registered with the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council. A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in midwifery programs is required, along with experience working at a high level within the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Prior experience with UN agencies or relevant development organizations is essential, as is a deep understanding of midwifery issues and the ability to work effectively with government entities. Proficiency in MS Office and strong analytical and strategic planning skills are also necessary.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master's degree in midwifery or a related field, with a focus on women's health and midwifery. Candidates must also be registered with the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council, ensuring they meet the professional standards required for practice in the country.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least two years of relevant professional work experience in midwifery programs, particularly at a national level. Experience working with the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is mandatory, as is prior involvement with UN agencies or other development organizations. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of midwifery practices and policies, as well as experience in program development and implementation.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Bangla is required for this position, as effective communication with local stakeholders and international partners is crucial for the success of the midwifery program.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is for a duration of 11 months, from November 2025 to October 202

• The consultant will work primarily from the UNFPA office, with an expectation of 40 hours per week. The position is classified as a National Consultant – Midwifery, with remuneration equivalent to the NOB level. UNFPA will provide office space and cover work-related travel expenses within Bangladesh. The consultant will be supervised by the Chief of Health and will be required to submit monthly reports detailing progress against the outlined duties. UNFPA emphasizes a work environment that promotes gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.