The Position:

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Iraq Country Office seeks to recruit an international consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing Iraq Nursing and Midwifery Strategy and Action Plan (2017–2027) and develop an updated, evidence-based, and forward-looking national strategy aligned with global standards and national priorities.
The assignment will include assessing the current strategy’s relevance, effectiveness, implementation progress, and gaps, and proposing a new strategy that strengthens nursing and midwifery services, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), maternal health, and birth spacing.

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Representative and the direct supervision of the SRH Program Specialist.
The consultant will work in close collaboration and coordination with the Ministry of Health (Midwifery program, RH program) and relevant stakeholders.

The consultant is expected to work mainly remotely, with periodic office space in UNFPA if available. Weekly progress calls with the SRH team will be held. UNFPA will review and give feedback on draft deliverables in a timely manner.

Background:

Iraq Context
Iraq’s health system faces ongoing challenges (conflict aftermath, demographic pressures) that impact maternal and newborn health. While the 2017–2027 Nursing and Midwifery Strategy has guided progress, a mid-term review is needed to ensure continued alignment with Iraq’s needs and global standards (e.g. WHO Midwifery Essentials). Strengthening the nursing/midwifery workforce is critical to UNFPA’s goals of safe pregnancy and childbirth. In particular, enhancing family planning (birth spacing) and Behavior Change Communication (BCC) requires skilled nurses and midwives in both clinical and community settings. The consultant will provide UNFPA Iraq with a revised strategy that addresses workforce capacity, regulatory frameworks, education/training, and SRH service integration.
 

Importance of the Planned Assessment
The current strategy (2017–2027) requires a mid-to-final term review to:
● Assess implementation progress and identify gaps
● Align with updated global guidelines (e.g., WHO recommendations)
● Integrate emerging priorities such as digital health, resilience, and gender-sensitive care
● Strengthen the linkages between nursing/midwifery and SRH, including family planning and BCC
 

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.

Job Purpose:

The consultant will:
● Review the existing strategy and action plan
● Conduct stakeholder consultations (government, academia, NGOs, UN agencies)
● Assess workforce capacity, distribution, and training systems
● Analyze policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks
● Develop a revised national Nursing and Midwifery Strategy (2027–2035 or similar)
● Propose a costed and implementable action plan
● Integrate SRH, Women children and adolescent health, and BCC priorities.
 

Objectives of the Assignment
 

• Evaluate the existing strategy: Assess relevance, implementation status and effectiveness of the Iraq Nursing and Midwifery Strategy (2017–2027), including achievements, challenges and unmet needs.
• Identify gaps and opportunities: Analyze policy, institutional and workforce gaps; examine SRH and BCC integration points.
• Develop a new strategy and action plan: Draft an updated strategy (e.g. 2027–2035) with clear objectives, thematic focus areas (education, practice, regulation, SRH integration), and a costed implementation plan.
• Align with priorities: Ensure alignment with national health policies, UNFPA Strategic Plan and WHO guidelines on midwifery and maternal health.
• Provide actionable recommendations: Outline policy and programmatic recommendations to strengthen nursing/midwifery roles in SRH, family planning and community outreach.

Scope of work:

The consultant will carry out, but is not limited to, the following tasks:

• Document Review: Examine the existing 2017–2027 strategy document, progress reports,government health policy, and related literature.
• Stakeholder Consultations: Conduct virtual and/or field interviews and focus groups with keystakeholders (Ministry of Health, nursing/midwifery councils, training institutions, NGOs, UN partners, professional associations).
• Data Analysis: Assess quantitative/qualitative data on nursing/midwifery workforce (numbers, distribution, education), and SRH service delivery (e.g. birth spacing uptake).
• Benchmarking: Compare with best practices and successful models in similar contexts (MENA region, WHO midwifery programs).
• Drafting: Prepare strategy document sections (situation analysis, vision, goals, objectives, strategic interventions) and an actionable plan (activities, timeline, responsibilities, budget estimates).
• Validation: Facilitate a validation workshop or meeting with stakeholders to review the draft strategy and collect feedback.
• Finalization: Revise the strategy and action plan based on feedback; produce final documents and an executive summary/policy brief.

Methodology:
The consultant should apply a mixed-methods approach:

• Desk Review: Systematic review of strategy documents, ministry plans, and relevant reports.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Semi-structured interviews with MoH officials, nursing school deans, midwifery association leaders, UN agencies, and NGOs.
• Focus Groups (if feasible): Group discussions with practicing nurses and midwives from diverse regions.
• Field Visits: Site visits to selected health facilities or training centers (subject to security clearance).
• Quantitative Analysis: Review workforce data, training statistics, service utilization records.
• Stakeholder Workshops: Organize a validation workshop (in person or virtual) to present findings and draft strategy for feedback.
• Comparative Analysis: Benchmark against regional or international midwifery strategies (e.g.,WHO guidelines, other country strategies) to inform recommendations.
   

The consultant will draft questionnaires/interview guides and share them with UNFPA before fieldwork. All data and findings should be triangulated to ensure robust conclusions.

Deliverables and Milestones:
The consultant’s work will be organized into clear deliverables tied to payments. At a minimum, the following deliverables are expected:
 

• Deliverable 1 – Inception Report (20%): Within two weeks of contract start, present an inception report detailing workplan, methodology, timelines and a refined outline of deliverables (including stakeholder list and annex templates).
• Deliverable 2 – Review Report (25%): A comprehensive review report on the 2017–2027 strategy (including literature review findings and summary of stakeholder inputs).
• Deliverable 3 – Draft Strategy & Action Plan (30%): Draft of the new Nursing and Midwifery Strategy document (including objectives and strategic components) and a costed action plan, submitted for UNFPA review.
• Deliverable 4 – Final Strategy and Summary (25%): Final strategy document and action plan incorporating UNFPA/stakeholder feedback. Also include a concise policy brief or executive summary highlighting key findings and recommendations.
   

Each deliverable will be subject to UNFPA approval. Acceptance of a deliverable will trigger payment as per the schedule below.
 

You would be responsible for:
 

• Develop an inception report with detailed methodology and workplan
• Conduct comprehensive review and data collection
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and workshops
• Draft and finalize the new strategy and action plan
• Incorporate feedback from UNFPA and partners
• Ensure alignment with national and international standards
   

Key Performance Indicators
 

• Timely delivery of outputs
• Quality and comprehensiveness of analysis
• Stakeholder engagement effectiveness
• Alignment with UNFPA and national priorities
• Practicality and feasibility of recommendations implementation

Other relevant information:
 

• Travel: If field missions are required, UNFPA will arrange or approve travel (flights, lodging) per UNFPA travel policy. Travel time/costs should be included in the proposal budget. Any travel will be undertaken only when security conditions permit. COVID-19 safety protocols as per Iraqi regulations must be observed.
• All deliverables must be in English.
• The consultant is expected to adhere to UN ethical standards and confidentiality requirements.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced degree in public health, nursing, midwifery, or related field

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience
• Proven experience in health strategy development
• Experience in SRH and maternal health programs
• Familiarity with Middle East context (preferable)
   

Languages: 

• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and oral) is required.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

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

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Corporate Competencies:
 

• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
• Results-based approach
   

Functional Competencies
 

• Strong analytical and research skills
• Excellent report writing
• Stakeholder engagement and facilitation
• Knowledge of health systems strengthening

Compensation and Benefits:

 This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

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.