National Consultant Midwifery, UNFPA Bangladesh

The Position:

National Midwifery Programme is a fairly mature programme with most fundamental pillars of education, regulation and agency in place. The next big push that is needed for the programme is to ensure deployment of midwives in the public sector health facilities at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, in that order, to offer quality maternity and other SRHR services, along with health sector response to gender based violence (HGBV). With approximately 5000 midwives being produced per year in the country, Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to achieve SDG – 3 of reducing maternal mortality ratio to 70 from current 136 by 2030. UNFPA, in last three years, has successfully advocated for this resulting in the paperwork being at various stages of approval in the government.

On same issue, UNFPA, MoHFW introduced a system of quality improvement and support to the in-service midwives in the public sector through establishing a clinical mentorship programme for them (on Normal Vaginal Delivery) involving the District Public Health Nurses (DPHN).

UNFPA is continuing to support midwifery education along the maturity gradient by establishing a national system of quality assessment and improvement of midwifery colleges and education though international organizations of repute.

Many countries have shown interest in Bangladesh Midwifery Programme to learn from it and seek support for establishing or strengthening their own midwifery programmes. Known as South-South Cooperation, Nepal, India and Egypt are already engaged with Bangladesh UNFPA CO in this regard.

Norway is currently showing interest in the midwifery programme of Bangladesh, particularly on improving midwifery education and expanding the midwifery-led SRHR services in the country. This may translate subsequently into fund flow though to UNFPA to support the national midwifery programme in the country. This will require developing a concept note to be submitted to Norway Govt. and later, if approved to develop the full proposal.

Working directly under the Chief-of-Health, UNFPA, Bangladesh CO, the consultant will provide high level of coordination and technical support to the Chief-of-Health in accelerating these initiatives to demonstrate tangible results by the end of 2026.

It is in this background that UNFPA is looking for a Consultant Midwife with extensive experience in Bangladesh Midwifery Programme, particularly at the national level, working with DGNM and having a thorough understanding of its evolution and a close association with its establishment in the country.

 

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.

You would be responsible for:

Reporting to the Chief of health, the consultant will be accountable for the following:

Midwifery Deployment 

1.    Fast tracking all paperwork at different stages and levels within the government systems on midwifery post creations and deployment at District Hospitals (DH), Upzilla Health Complexes (UHC), Union Health and Family Welfare Centres (UHFWCs), Union Sub-Centre (USC), Mother and Child Welfare Centres (MCWC) and Medical Colleges. 
2.    Work closely with the SRHR Specialist and Senior SRHR Consultant to liaise (and move approval processes) with secretaries, concerned additional secretaries and other action takers in the ministries of health, finance and public administration, including in the public service commission. 
3.    Liaise with and support City Corporation for midwifery post creation and deployment in Urban Primary Health Care centres. 
4.    Support organizing national workshops/ seminars with the private clinics/ hospitals owners to establish midwifery-led delivery care.

Midwifery Mentorship Programme

1.    Support DGNM to phase-wise roll-out of the mentorship programme throughout the country. 
2.    Working closely with DGNM to effectively utilize the bachelor’s degree completed midwives on clinical midwifery mentorship at different levels. 
3.    Review and update National Clinical Mentorship guidelines and develop an implementation action plan. 
4.    Roll out of the programme in CP 10 and project districts with more than 70% of expected pregnancies in the catchment areas of the health facilities with mentored midwife taking place in the facilities and more than 50% voluntarily accepting PPIUCDs.
5.    Working closely with DGNM and DPHNs, establish an accountability framework/guideline for the mentored midwife to demonstrate agreed results on percentage of institutional delivery, PPIUCD and other SRHR interventions.

Midwifery support through International IPs

1.    Lead reviewing (and develop a reference note) of all activities implemented by the IPs and advise for which Bangladesh doesn’t have the expertise and need continued support from them.
2.    Ensure implementation of the EXIT-PLANS for all international IPs for sustainability and roll-out in the country.

South-South Cooperation 

1.    In consultation with the Chief-of-Health, coordinate between Bangladesh and other countries on South-South collaboration. 
2.    Function as a focal person to communicate and maintain communication between Bangladesh and other countries, keeping all informed and ensuring actions are taken on agreed points.
3.    Coordinate with Nepal UNFPA Office to move the agreed work forward as per the Cooperation Document developed jointly following our mutual visits in 2023 – 24, particularly faculty development through exchange programme.
4.    Coordinate on any future South-south cooperation request.  

Introduction of MSc Midwifery Course

1.    Support to the BNMC and concern Universities on introduction of MSc Midwifery course in the country (approval of curriculum and faculty development from 2 approved institutions).
Development of Norway Concept Note for Midwifery Support in Bangladesh
1.    Develop the Concept Note 
2.    Develop the full proposal if Norway requests for the full proposals
 

Duration:    The Consultant will be recruited for 11 months (Nov 2025 - Oct 2026) 

Place where services are to be delivered:    The services are to be delivered within Bangladesh

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g., electronic, hard copy etc.):    

1.    During this 11 month, a work plan will be developed in consultation with the Chief of Health, who will ensure participation and inputs by all relevant team members of the Health Unit. 

2.    Provide in the monthly reports, brief details of measurable progress against the 5 identified work outlined in the scope of work above, against which the monthly payment will be disbursed.

3.    Last month’s payment will be disbursed upon handing over, as a consolidated package, the documents outlined in the scope of work above, viz., 

a.    Midwifery Deployment: Brief report on the status of Midwifery post creation and deployment – showing the results achieved and key activities undertaken 
b.    Midwifery Mentorship 
i.    A progress report on country wide roll-out of mentorship programme 
ii.    A brief report on utilisation of bachelor’s degree completed midwives
iii.    CP-10 and Project Districts Mentorship Roll-out Progress Report 
iv.    Mentorship Accountability Framework for in-service midwifes
c.    International IPs
i.    IP activity-review document
ii.    Exit Plans for the IPs
d.    South-South Cooperation: Progress Report, demonstrating the key achievements of South-South Cooperation 
e.    MSc Course: Brief report on progress made
f.    Concept Note for Norway Midwifery Support Funding Request

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:    Monthly Reports and Monthly Review/Progress Meetings led by Chief-of-Health and attended by relevant members of the Health Unit invited. 

Supervisory arrangements:     The Consultant will be supervised by the Chief of Health 

Expected travel:    UNFPA will pay for any work-related travel within the country
 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Educational Experience:

•     Master’s degree in midwifery or Women’s Heath and Midwifery or relevant field.
•     Registered by the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Knowledge and Experience: 

•     At least 2 years of relevant professional work experience in midwifery programme. 
•     Work experience at a high level in the directorate of nursing and midwifery under the MoH&FW is mandatory.
•     Prior experience of working with UN and other relevant development agencies. 
•     In depth knowledge and working experience on different midwifery pillars and issues. 
•     Knowledge about UN common programming principles including Human Rights Based Approach Proven knowledge and technical expertise in health. 
•     Understanding of the Midwifery profession and its social and economic aspects
•     Proven ability to work with the Government (at the central as well as local levels) 
•     Demonstrable analytical and strategic planning skills in national health programme development, planning, oversight and implementation. 
•     Proficient in MS Office Operations, internet, etc. 
 

Languages: 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

Core Competencies: 

The consultant will be hired as a National Consultant – Midwifery, and remuneration will be paid equivalent to NOB level. 

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g., support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:    

Office space will be provided at UNFPA Office (and DGNM as per requirement). 

The Consultant is expected to work from UNFPA Office for up to 50% of time as the responsibilities of this consultancy requires extensive and intensive engagement and joint work with UNFPA Health Unit.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:    

1.    The tools, reports or documents or any part cannot be sold, used, or reproduced in any manner without the prior written approval of UNFPA.
2.    No additional payment will be provided other than what is contracted.
3.    Working arrangement will be 40 hours/week
 

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.