Individual Consultancy- Midwifery Advisor

The Position:

Under the overall guidance of the Representative and Deputy Representative, with direct supervision of Head of the Reproductive Health Unit, the Midwife Advisor (IC) supports the programme team to deliver generally on results of the midwifery component of the programme.

 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

 

Job Purpose:

The Midwife Advisor to provide technical expertise and support programme/fund management to the Country Office in the execution of midwifery and other related maternal/reproductive health interventions.

You would be responsible for:

Technical Expertise:

• Support the Government to develop, execute and periodically review Midwifery Improvement Program and continually align midwifery issues with relevant current national and sector strategic frameworks and plans including National Development Plan, Health Sector Medium Term Development Plan, MoH Annual Programs of Work, Education Sector Strategic Plan and other thematic strategies and expenditure frameworks for midwifery issues with a view to improve policies and practices for midwifery training , recruitment, retention and motivation.
• Support the generation of strategic information and evidence to inform national policies and strategies for midwifery improvement. 
• Document and share best practices in midwifery with stakeholders, including other Country and Regional Midwifery Advisors.
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders in country: Ministry of Health, Midwifery Associations, Training Institutions, the National Nursing and Midwifery Council, Civil Society' Organizations, including NGOs, other Allied Health Professional Associations e.g, Obstetricians, Nurses, Traditional and Community Stakeholders.
• Mobilize advocates for midwifery through the national midwifery association and other stakeholders, including the use of platforms such as the International Day of the Midwife.
• Facilitate networking and coalition building with other national programmes, agencies, organizations and professionals to improve reproductive health, particularly maternal and new-born health.
• Coordinate, plan, manage and report on work plans, budgets. strategies and results of the Ministryof Health and or any other relevant government institution, which would be the main Implementing Partner (IP) for UNFPA in midwifery programming.
• Manage and report on activities, strategies and results of other assigned implementing Partners and other stakeholders.
• Work with the Programme Officer in charge of the Maternal Health Thematic Fund to provide timely reports (financial and programmatic) and make inputs in the development of work plans and other Work plans for the fund.
• Report to the UNFPA Country Representative, Deputy Representative and the Head of the Reproductive Health Unit on Maternal Health and Family Planning responsibilities, including other assigned roles.

Program Management:

• Support MoH relevant Units including the Human Resources Department, Nursing Program and PPME Heads to plan and execute its UNFPA funded annual work plan timely including developing TORs, meeting agendas, financial documentation and reporting as well as strategy dissemination, resource mapping and fund raising.
• Support in the identification and formulation of midwifery component work plans and projects by compiling and analyzing information, drafting project documents and work plans, quarterly work plan progress reports and preparing eFACES. 

Funds Management:

• Prepare and manage midwifery program related budgets. Monitors program execution, expenditures and disbursements to ensure delivery is in line with approved program budgets and to ensure targeted delivery levels.
• Ensures the timely and accurate reporting of financial information per donor requirements.
• Process requisitions for related activities, travels and procurement in Quantum Plus online software.
• Manages assets that have been procured by UNFPA and supplies to Implementing Partners.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Individual Consultant contributes to the effective achievement of UNFPA Midwifery programme and efforts to attain zero preventable maternal mortality in Ghana. 

Specific Activities Include:

• Provide leadership for the commemoration of key moments including International Day of the Midwife.
• Represent UNFPA at relevant Midwifery and Maternal Health related internal and external events as delegated.
• Provide technical inputs into Midwifery and related thematic papers, concepts and proposals.
• Support government and other Implementing Partners to participate in relevant high-level conferences and events.
• Develop Abstracts and make presentations at high-level Midwifery related Scientific Conferences.
• Support resource mobilization to support maternal health and other country office programs.
• Support IP Work Plan preparations, preparation of  electronic financial transfers (eFACE) to Implementing Partner (IP) timely; as well as reporting.
• Lead and supervise audits, spot checks and micro assessment of IP when required.
• Supports IP to undertake interventions to improve midwifery-led care in Ghana and beyond.

Other

• Performs any other duties assigned by relevant staff of Unit.

 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Bachelor’s degree in midwifery is required.
• Postgraduate training in Midwifery or related areas will be an added advantage.
   

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least five (5) years’ experience in practicing midwifery with
  excellent knowledge of midwifery education. legislation and
  regulation.
• Experience in governance, consultation, administration or management of programmes related to midwifery required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience in public speaking.
• Fluency in English and any local language.
• Knowledge and experience in programme management. including budget management.
• Demonstrate analytical and strategic planning skills.
• Fluency in computer and international communication technologies
• Demonstrate skills in team and consensus building.
   

Languages: 

English

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact 
• Commitment to UNFPA Values and Guiding Principles
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Strong team player
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches, including strategic partnership. resource mobilization and south-south cooperation

Functional Competencies:

Compensation and Benefits:

 This position offers an attractive remuneration.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.