Midwifery Senior Expert at United
Nations Population Fund: (Deadline 17 February 2026)
Job Description
Mission and objectives
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UNFPA is the lead UN agency dedicated to
ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and young
people can reach their full potential. It expands opportunities for women and
young people to lead healthy, productive lives by supporting access to
reproductive health and youth-friendly HIV prevention services through strong
national policies, strategies, and guidelines. UNFPA also champions
high-quality, disaggregated data to inform policy and planning. Its programs
strengthen responses to gender-based violence and empower women, particularly
in rural areas. Since its founding in 1969, maternal mortality rates have been
halved, families are healthier, and young people are more connected and
empowered than ever.Context
Rwanda has made significant progress in
advancing high-quality and competency-based midwifery education. Sustained
investments in the midwifery workforce have contributed to a substantial
reduction in the Maternal Mortality Ratio, from 1,071 per 100,000 live births
in 2000 to 149 in 2025. To consolidate these gains and address remaining
workforce gaps, the Government of Rwanda is implementing the Health Sector 4×4
Strategy, approved by Cabinet in 2023, which aims to quadruple the health
workforce within four years, with a strong focus on increasing the number of
competent midwives. As one of six Global Midwifery Accelerator Champion
Countries, Rwanda is establishing a Regional Midwifery Hub within the Ministry
of Health to serve 23 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. The Hub will
promote South–South collaboration, innovation, leadership, and knowledge
exchange to accelerate midwifery transformation across the region. The
Midwifery Senior Expert will serve as the principal focal point for the midwifery
profession within the Ministry of Health, ensuring that profession-specific
priorities are integrated into national health strategies and policies. The
assignment will focus on strengthening midwifery governance, harmonizing
regulatory frameworks, and establishing and coordinating the Eastern and
Southern African region Midwifery Hub to enhance the quality, leadership, and
sustainability of the midwifery profession
Task Description
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Communication
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Under the overall direction of the UNFPA
Representative and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, SRHR and
Head of unit, the Midwifery Senior Expert will coordinate and implement
targeted, evidence-based activities using the SMART Advocacy approach
(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to contribute to
tangible policy and advocacy outcomes. She/he will also coordinate the
midwifery hub to be established and run within the Ministry of Health. Specific
responsibilities include: Policy, Leadership and Governance: ● Provide
strategic leadership for midwifery within government, ensuring the profession’s
priorities are addressed in national health policies and strategies. ● Lead
high-level policy dialogues and regulatory harmonization efforts to recognize
midwifery as an autonomous profession. ● Lead the Midwifery Sub Technical
Working group. ● Review and adapt Midwifery Models of Care (MMoC) to the
Rwandan context aligned with MMoC implementation guidance, ensuring they are
operationally viable. ● Expand and mobilize national and regional advocacy
coalitions, uniting influential midwives and high-level policymakers through
structured, high-impact engagement. ● Facilitate the update of legal frameworks
and scopes of practice to allow for professional autonomy and cross-border
mobility. ● Lead and facilitate the implementation of SMART advocacy
objectives, ensuring consistent progress and strategic alignment throughout the
project lifecycle. Education, Innovation and Digital Learning ● Ensure the new
harmonized Competency-based National Midwifery Curriculum, which is aligned
with ICM standards, is monitored and evaluated for implementation. Facilitate
national adoption and regular revisions of the curriculum, including promoting
knowledge sharing among universities both within Rwanda and regionally. ●
Support faculty development material and training in line with the new
harmonized National Midwifery Curricula. ● Spearhead efforts to integrate the
new and innovative maternal and newborn health (MNH) priorities and initiatives
into national health strategies. ● Support the development of a comprehensive
retention strategy and clear career paths for mid-wives in both clinical
practice, academia and other career paths. ● Identify practical entry points to
scale up the SimBegin simulation training across national and regional training
platforms and for in-service capacity building. ● Foster innovations in
midwifery education and practices and monitor their utilization nationally and
regionally. ● Design and facilitate South-South knowledge exchange platforms to
enable the sharing of advocacy strategies, knowledge, and best practices.
Strategic Financing and Evidence (Pillar 3) ● Work with national and regional
midwifery associations and universities to conduct and disseminate research
related to SRHR and other midwifery practice and impacts. Ensure that the
regional hub disseminates relevant and current evidence from this research. ●
Coordinate the development of evidence-based “Midwifery Investment Cases” to
advocate for dedicated domestic budget lines. ● Shape advocacy messages
informed by cost-effectiveness and political economy analysis to support
regulatory change. ● Partner with relevant stakeholders (including the private
sector) to ensure the financial sustainability of the Midwifery hub.Competencies
and values
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Health
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☒Adaptability
and Flexibility ☒Building Trust
☒Commitment and
Motivation ☒Communication ☒Ethics and Values ☒Integrity ☒Knowledge Sharing ☒Professionalism
☒Respect for
Diversity ☒Self-Management
☒Working in
Teams
Living conditions and remarks
Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, has
experienced remarkable rejuvenation and stability, evident upon arrival in the
city. While motorcycle taxis are the fastest mode of transport, they’re not
recommended without your own helmet, though some provide helmets. Standard
taxis, marked with yellow stripes, are another option, with many operated by
Kigali Taxi Service or Kigali Airport Taxis. Public transportation is
affordable and efficient, with new and well-maintained buses available, and
prepaid cards can be purchased at bus stations. Rental cars are also available
due to significant investment in infrastructure, leading to minimal congestion.
Accommodations in Kigali are readily available and meet relevant standards,
with recreational facilities like swimming pools also accessible. Shopping
options include various shops and markets offering essential items, imported
goods, home furnishings, electrical appliances, and vehicle spare parts. The
city boasts both public and private health facilities, such as King Faisal
Hospital and Legacy Clinic, equipped to handle emergencies and affiliated with
CIGNA insurance. Kigali is considered exceptionally safe, with emergency
numbers like 999 for police, 111 for fire fighters, and 112 for general
emergencies, and 113 for traffic accidents. The UNV Programme offers monthly
living allowance covering basic needs like housing, utilities, transportation,
and communication. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN
Volunteers is to enable them to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty
stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal
costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward,
or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service.
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