International Consultant in Midwifery Education

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) is the lead United Nations agency focused on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, with a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization is dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. UNFPA's Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 outlines its commitment to addressing complex global challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 203

• The organization emphasizes 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 has been actively involved in improving maternal health in Kazakhstan, where significant progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality, although challenges remain in the quality of care and clinical competencies of health workers.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant in Midwifery Education involves developing evidence-based recommendations to enhance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) competencies within the national midwifery competency model in Kazakhstan. The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNFPA SRH National Programme Analyst and collaborate with a national specialist in midwifery education. The role requires a comprehensive understanding of midwifery education systems, curriculum development, and competency-based education. The consultant will be responsible for analyzing the current midwifery education system, developing a competency framework, and creating a high-level curriculum structure that aligns with international standards. The consultant will also engage in stakeholder consultations to validate findings and ensure that the outputs meet national education and health service delivery requirements. This position is crucial for strengthening the capacity of midwives and nurses, thereby improving the quality of sexual and reproductive health services in Kazakhstan.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include:

• Conducting an analysis of the current midwifery education system in Kazakhstan, identifying gaps and areas for improvement.
• Developing a sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) competency framework tailored for midwifery education.
• Creating a high-level curriculum structure for midwifery education that incorporates evidence-based practices and aligns with international standards.
• Engaging in stakeholder consultations to present findings and validate the analysis results, revised competency framework, and curriculum structure.
• Collaborating with the national specialist to collect and systematize national data, including curricula, regulatory documents, and teaching materials.
• Assessing the alignment of the midwifery education system with national policies and regulatory requirements.
• Analyzing practical aspects of implementation, including training approaches and faculty capacity.
• Validating findings through consultations with national stakeholders and consolidating the analysis results into a comprehensive document.
• Leading the development of the high-level curriculum structure, defining components, sequencing, and balance between theoretical and practical training. 1
• Ensuring that all deliverables are submitted in electronic format to the UNFPA SRH National Program Analyst for review and validation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in midwifery, nursing, medicine, public health, or a related field. Additional specialization or training in medical education with a focus on midwifery and/or nursing, curriculum development, or competency-based education is considered an asset. Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in organizing midwifery and nursing education, with proven experience in curriculum development and competency-based education. Experience working with the Ministry of Health, academic institutions, or professional associations is essential. Previous experience with UN agencies or international organizations in the area of midwifery care is advantageous. Candidates should also have in-depth knowledge of the midwifery and nursing education system in Kazakhstan, an understanding of SRHR and maternal health priorities in the national context, and experience in developing competency frameworks and curriculum structures.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in midwifery, nursing, medicine, public health, or a related field. Candidates with additional specialization or training in medical education, particularly in midwifery and/or nursing, curriculum development, or competency-based education, will have an advantage. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of midwifery education and the necessary competencies required for effective practice.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in organizing midwifery and nursing education. Candidates should have a strong background in curriculum development and competency-based education specific to midwifery and nursing. Experience working with governmental health ministries, academic institutions, or professional associations is crucial. Familiarity with the midwifery education system in Kazakhstan and previous involvement with UN agencies or international organizations in midwifery care will be beneficial. Candidates should also demonstrate experience in developing competency frameworks and curriculum structures that align with international standards.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within UNFPA and for documentation purposes. Proficiency in Russian is also required, given the linguistic context of Kazakhstan and the need to engage with local stakeholders effectively. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be carried out over a period of approximately 4 months, from May to August 2026, on a part-time, home-based basis. The assignment will be implemented in phases, with specific deliverables due at the end of each phase. The consultants will be required to participate in one in-country or virtual one-day technical meeting as part of the validation process. All deliverables must be submitted in electronic format (MS Word) to the UNFPA SRH National Program Analyst for review and validation. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects gender equality, diversity, and integrity, and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.