National Consultant – Midwifery Competency Assessment (SRHR) and development of recommendations
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Consultant Consultancy Locallly Recruited Developing evidence-based recommendations to strengthen SRHR competencies within the national midwifery competency model.
Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA SRH National Programme Analyst, the two consultants (International and National) will work collaboratively to develop evidence-based recommendations to strengthen SRHR competencies within the national midwifery competency model.
The national specialist in midwifery education will provide technical input, support data collection and analysis, and ensure alignment of the outputs with national education systems, regulatory requirements, and health service delivery context.
You will report to UNFPA SRH UNFPA SRH National Programme Analyst.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
Kazakhstan has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality over the past two decades. However, a large share of maternal deaths remains preventable and is linked to gaps in the quality of care and the clinical competencies of health workers. Strengthening the capacity of midwives and nurses is therefore essential to improving the quality of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
In the 2021-2025 programme cycle, UNFPA Kazakhstan supported the update of postgraduate higher medical education curricula, including the integration of maternal and reproductive health content. While this improved knowledge, important gaps remain, particularly in competency-based education, practical skills training, and alignment with international standards in midwifery and nursing education.
A rapid assessment of the midwifery education system conducted by the UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia in 2023 also highlighted key challenges. These include limited integration of evidence-based SRHR content, insufficient focus on practical and simulation-based training, and gaps in alignment with international standards such as WHO and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). The assessment recommended strengthening competency-based approaches, improving the link between education and clinical practice, and enhancing the capacity of teaching institutions.
In line with the UNFPA Country Programme for Kazakhstan (2026–2030), strengthening pre-service midwifery and nursing education systems is a key priority. The programme includes the development and submission of updated midwifery and nursing curricula to the Ministry of Health by 2030. The aim is to ensure that education programmes are aligned with international standards and equip graduates with the competencies needed to provide high-quality, respectful and evidence-based care.
This reform will be implemented in phases over the programme period. The year 2026 represents the foundational stage, focused on assessment, identification of gaps, and development of a competency framework and overall curriculum structure. Further work in 2027–2030 will focus on developing detailed content, piloting, validation, and integration into national education standards.
In this regard, UNFPA will engage an international expert and a national specialist in midwifery education to support this initial phase and lay the foundation for the full curriculum reform.
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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
To implement this assignment, UNFPA plans to recruit a qualified international consultant in midwifery education with in-depth knowledge of organizing and conducting teaching processes in line with the ICM standards.
You would be responsible for:
The assignment will consist of the following components:
1. Analysis of the current midwifery education system
2. Development of SRHR competency framework for midwifery
3. Development of high-level curriculum structure for midwifery education
4. Stakeholder consultations and validation
NationalSpecialist will:
- Collect and systematize national data, including curricula, regulatory documents, and teaching materials
- Apply the assessment framework to conduct the analysis of the current system
- Assess alignment with national policies, regulatory requirements, and service delivery context
- Analyze practical aspects of implementation, including training approaches, faculty capacity, and clinical training opportunities
- Validate findings through consultations with national stakeholders
- Consolidate the analysis results into single document
- Align the revised framework with national regulations and existing competency models
- Ensure consistency with national education and service delivery context
- Support validation with national stakeholders
- Lead the development of the high-level curriculum structure
- Define curriculum components, sequencing, and balance between theoretical and practical training
- Ensure alignment with national education standards and regulatory requirements
- The consultants (International and National) will conduct consultations with key stakeholders to present findings and validate the analysis results, revised competency framework, and high-level curriculum structure. As part of this process, the consultants will participate in and support a one-day technical meeting organized by UNFPA CO (or KMPA – the implementing partner of UNFPA) to present key outputs, facilitate discussion, and gather feedback.
The consultancy is expected to be carried out over a period of approximately 4 months, from May to August 2026 (Q2–Q3), on a part-time, home-based basis.
The assignment will be implemented in phases, aligned with key deliverables:
• Phase 1 (May–June 2026): Analysis of the current midwifery education system
• Phase 2 (June–July 2026): Development of the SRHR competency framework
• Phase 3 (July 2026): Development of the high-level curriculum structure
• Phase 4 (August 2026): Stakeholder consultations and validation
| № | Deliverable | Delivery dates |
| | Analytical report on the current midwifery education system, including findings of the review, gap analysis, and benchmarking against international standards | Not later than 30 June 2026 |
| | Revised SRHR competency framework for midwifery, aligned with international standards and adapted to the national context | Not later than 20 July 2026 |
| | High-level structure of the updated midwifery education programme | Not later than 30 July 2026 |
| | Final report | Not later than 20 August 2026 |
The consultants are expected to work remotely and coordinate closely with UNFPA and national stakeholders throughout the assignment. Participation in one in-country or virtual one-day technical meeting is required as part of the validation process.
All deliverables will be submitted in electronic format (MS Word) to the CO (directly to the UNFPA SRH National Program Analyst) for review, validation and comments at the indicated date of delivery. Within 5 working days after receiving the deliverables the UNFPA will provide its comments and recommendations that should be taken into consideration during finalization of the deliverables.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in midwifery, nursing, medicine, public health, or a related field
• Additional specialization or training in medical education with concentration in midwifery and/or nursing, curriculum development, or competency-based education is an asset
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.
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.
Same Posting Description for Internal and External Candidates
