Organizational Context:

Midwifery remains key intervention, in addition to FP and EmONC, for the reduction of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In cognizance of this fact, in 2008, UNFPA launched the Maternal Health Thematic Fund to accelerate progress towards making safe motherhood—and meeting MDG 5—as a reality. The fund is designed to provide more focused resources to those countries in greatest need and thus further contribute to UNFPA’s overall results framework for the reduction of maternal mortality.  Strategic activities supported  by the fund aim to boost programmes implementation and leverage additional financial and technical resources for MNH with particular focus on human resources development (midwifery programme) and Obstetric Fistula.

The United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) Sudan country office would like to recruit a national country midwifery advisor to provide technical support and coordinate the Fund’s support for this intervention.

Work Relations:

The National Country Midwifery Advisor (NCMA) will be under the overall guidance of the Representative/Deputy Representative, Assistant Representative, Reproductive Health (RH) Chief Technical Advisor and direct supervision of the RH Programme Specialist in Khartoum and is part of the RH Team in the Sudan country office working very closely with the Humanitarian Programme Coordinator, Gender and RH officers. The NCMA will also be technically and strategically supported by the Regional Midwifery Advisers.

The NCMA will foster strategic alliances and partnerships particularly with MOH (AHS, NRHP and Nursing and Midwifery Directorate, Sudan Midwives Association, Omdurman midwifery school and their respective offices in the states) and develop relationships and networks with relevant national stakeholders, organizations, institutions and associations. She will provide fiduciary oversight and technical expertise in the implementation of the Maternal Health Thematic Fund (MHTF), especially the midwifery interventions.

• The incumbent will provide technical support and will have advisory role to the government of Sudan and other Partners of UNFPA aiming at improving and strengthening the Midwifery Programme in the country focusing on Midwifery Education, Regulation and Association.

• She is in-charge of ensuring the implementation of the MHTF plan as well as midwifery interventions support through other fund sources and promotes linkages among government and development partners in support of MNH programme.

• She will ensure the development of a realistic AWP in midwifery within the broader AWP for RH and other relevant outputs by identifying priority issues to be addressed in policies, programs, institutional capacity and funding and ensure its implementation.

• In close coordination with RH output lead and the RH team and the guidance of CTA-RH, the incumbent reviews requests for advance of funds; prepare budget revisions and/or supplementary budget approvals regarding MHTF.

• In collaboration with RH team, NCMA contributes to capacity building of AHS & other relevant institutions at both national and state levels through resource mobilization, recruitment of tutors and procurement and distribution of teaching aids and medical supplies including midwifery kits. 

• She monitors projects expenditures and disbursements to ensure delivery is in line with approved project budgets and to realize targeted delivery levels.

• She analyzes project progress in terms of achieving results, using existing monitoring and evaluation tools; identifies constraints and resource deficiencies and recommends corrective actions. Moreover, the NCMA prepares and ensures timely submission of MHTF performance reports (financial and technical) and AWP for subsequent year to HQ.

• The NCMA mobilizes technical support for key strategic areas: Midwifery education, regulations and association in terms of standards, including codes of practice, codes of conduct, standards of proficiency, and performance and ethics as well as focused researches.

• She facilitates networking and coalition-building with other national programmes, agencies, organizations and professionals to improve midwifery programme and services.

• She documents and shares good (best) practices with other Country, Regional and Global Midwife Advisers.
• Perform any other tasks as may be required by the direct supervisor or the UNFPA Management Team.

Education: Advanced degree (Masters Level) in Midwifery, Nursing or Public Health with Nurse/Midwife background.

Experience: Minimum 3 years of increasingly responsible professional and managerial experience in the field of midwifery or maternal health including teaching and or clinical practice.

• Excellent knowledge of midwifery education, legislation and regulation.
• Prior experience of working in multi-stakeholder environment including teaching institutions, NGOs, bilateral and multilateral agencies.
• Demonstrated analytical, strategic planning skills, and capacity to work in teams

Languages: Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic languages

Computer skills: Proficiency in current office software applications

Required Competencies:

Values:

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

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results
• Accountability,
• Developing and applying professional expertise
• Analytical thinking
• Working in teams
• Communicating for results and impact.

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus
• Engaging internal/external partners and stakeholders
• Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Required Skillset:

• Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results-based programmes
• Internal and External communication and advocacy for results mobilization

How to apply:

Interested applicants should submit their updated CVs and Personal History form with photocopies of certificates to the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) Operations Manager Office, Manshia, Block # 1/S, House No. 386, P.O. Box 913,  Khartoum, Sudan or though www.sudanjob.net.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life.  We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process.  UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status