International Consultancy Regional Midwifery Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization emphasizes gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, aiming to end preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 outlines its commitment to achieving transformative results in these areas, particularly in the context of the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. UNFPA is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, reflecting its values of integrity, gender equality, and healthy work-life balance.

Job Overview:
The International Consultancy Regional Midwifery Consultant position is designed to address the pressing challenges in midwifery across the Arab region, particularly in enhancing access to qualified midwifery care and strengthening educational frameworks. The consultant will play a crucial role in providing strategic guidance and technical assistance to UNFPA Country Offices (COs) in various countries, including Yemen, Egypt, Somalia, and Syria, as they develop or update their national midwifery strategies. The consultant will work closely with the SRH advisor and the ASRO SRH specialist to ensure that midwifery is recognized as an autonomous profession and to empower emerging midwifery leaders through the Arab Regional Midwifery Advisory Group (ARMAG). This role requires a deep understanding of regional contexts and the ability to navigate complex cultural and systemic barriers to midwifery practice.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Providing a final review of the English, French, and Arabic versions of the midwifery policy brief drafted by ASRO.
• Designing and facilitating webinars to disseminate findings from the 2024 Midwifery Survey conducted with UNFPA Country Offices.
• Offering guidance and oversight to the ARMAG, focusing on leadership development and capacity building for ARMAG members.
• Supporting technical assistance to UNFPA Country Offices based on the findings from the Midwifery Survey, identifying needs for senior-level midwifery expertise in various countries.
• Engaging in quarterly meetings to transition from UNFPA-led to ARMAG-led initiatives.
• Documenting a leadership development plan for ARMAG and summarizing planned engagements for the 2026 ICM Triennial Conference.
• Providing a report summarizing technical assistance provided to Country Offices in 2025, along with observations and recommendations for ARMAG for 2026.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong leadership skills and inspiring facilitation and communication abilities. They should have a proven track record of regional and international expertise in midwifery, strategy, education, evaluation, and research. The consultant must demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, aligning with UNFPA's mission and values. Additionally, candidates should be able to navigate complex cultural contexts and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree is required, preferably a PhD, in social and health sciences, education, midwifery, or a related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of the issues surrounding midwifery and reproductive health in the region.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 20 years of experience in the field of midwifery, with a focus on regional and international contexts. Candidates should have extensive experience in strategy development, educational initiatives, evaluation, and research related to midwifery and reproductive health. This level of experience is crucial for providing the necessary guidance and technical assistance to UNFPA Country Offices and for effectively engaging with national decision-makers.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic, French, and English is mandatory for this position. These language skills are essential for effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders across the Arab region. Proficiency in these languages will enable the consultant to review policy documents, facilitate discussions, and disseminate findings in a culturally relevant manner.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is primarily a home-based assignment, with the expectation that the consultant will work remotely for most of the contract duration. However, if technical missions to Country Offices or travel to regional meetings are required, UNFPA will cover travel costs in accordance with its policies. The position emphasizes the importance of gender parity and encourages applications from women and individuals from underrepresented groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics.