International Consultant - Nursing and Midwifery Strategy

1w1 week ago

UNDP

Baghdad, IQ · Contract · $90,000 – $140,000

About this role

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Iraq Country Office seeks an international consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing Iraq Nursing and Midwifery Strategy and Action Plan (2017–2027). The role involves developing an updated, evidence-based, and forward-looking national strategy aligned with global standards and national priorities. This strengthens nursing and midwifery services in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), maternal health, and birth spacing.

The consultant will assess the current strategy’s relevance, effectiveness, implementation progress, and gaps. Propose a new strategy addressing workforce capacity, regulatory frameworks, education/training, and SRH service integration. Work mainly remotely with periodic UNFPA office space if available.

Operate under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Representative and direct supervision of the SRH Program Specialist. Collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health (Midwifery program, RH program) and relevant stakeholders. Participate in weekly progress calls with the SRH team.

Contribute to UNFPA’s goals of ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence. Align with Iraq’s health challenges post-conflict and demographic pressures. Deliver high impact by building forward better in SRH amid Covid-19 impacts.

UNFPA reviews and provides feedback on draft deliverables timely. Advance global standards like WHO Midwifery Essentials. Integrate emerging priorities such as digital health, resilience, and gender-sensitive care.

Requirements

Expertise in reviewing and developing national nursing and midwifery strategies
Knowledge of global standards including WHO Midwifery Essentials
Experience in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), maternal health, and family planning
Familiarity with health systems in conflict-affected contexts
Skills in evidence-based strategy formulation and gap analysis
Ability to address workforce capacity, regulatory frameworks, and education/training
Proficiency in integrating digital health and gender-sensitive care
Strong coordination with ministries and health stakeholders

Responsibilities

Conduct a comprehensive review of the existing Iraq Nursing and Midwifery Strategy and Action Plan (2017–2027)
Assess the current strategy’s relevance, effectiveness, implementation progress, and gaps
Develop an updated, evidence-based, and forward-looking national strategy
Align the new strategy with global standards and national priorities
Propose enhancements strengthening nursing and midwifery services in SRH, maternal health, and birth spacing
Identify gaps in implementation progress
Integrate emerging priorities such as digital health, resilience, and gender-sensitive care
Strengthen linkages between nursing/midwifery and SRH, including family planning and BCC