Consultant for Developing Strategic Guideline for Non-Interventional Maternity Services and Respectful Care

Background:

Reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health (RMNAH) is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action. Ensuring access to safe, quality, equitable and respectful maternity care is essential for improving maternal and newborn health outcomes, protecting women’s rights and advancing universal health coverage.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) promote evidence-based, woman-centered and respectful maternity care, including informed consent and shared decision-making, freedom of movement and position, appropriate use of clinical interventions, and support for physiological birth. In parallel, UNFPA has consistently positioned midwifery as a critical component of quality RMNAH services and health-system strengthening, including through the State of the World’s Midwifery reports and, more recently, the UNFPA Start with Her: Strategy for Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health and Well-Being 2025–2030, which identifies advancing midwifery models of care as a key pathway for improving access to quality reproductive, maternal and newborn health services. UNFPA’s current global midwifery agenda further supports a shift towards midwifery models of care in which appropriately educated, licensed and regulated midwives provide and coordinate respectful, high-quality care across their full scope of practice, based on person-centered care, partnership with women, support for physiological processes and the use of interventions when clinically indicated. For women with low-risk pregnancies and births, strengthening continuity of care and appropriate midwifery-led models can therefore contribute to reducing unnecessary routine interventions while supporting women’s autonomy, positive childbirth experiences and quality of care.

Türkiye is experiencing significant demographic changes, including a decline in total fertility and an increase in the age at first birth. These trends further underline the importance of ensuring that women have access to high-quality, safe, person-centered, and continuous care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. At the same time, the pattern and level of interventions during childbirth remain an important health policy and quality-of-care issue. According to Ministry of Health data, after implementing the National Normal Birth Action Plan, the overall cesarean section rate decreased from 62.8% to 59.9%. In contrast, the primary cesarean section rate decreased by 2.7 percentage points. These developments demonstrate the relevance of ongoing policy efforts to promote normal birth and reduce unnecessary interventions. However, sustained quality improvement remains needed, particularly in the appropriate use of interventions and strengthening physiological and woman-centered care. Nationally available and routinely reported data on assisted vaginal births and other interventions during labor and childbirth also remain limited, constraining a comprehensive assessment of intervention patterns and variations in practice.

Midwives are key health professionals in ensuring continuity and quality of care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Strengthening midwifery-led care, particularly for low-risk pregnancies and births, can support physiological birth, reduce avoidable interventions, enhance women’s autonomy, and contribute to a positive childbirth experience. Recent policy developments and efforts in Türkiye to strengthen the role, competencies, and positioning of midwives provide an important opportunity to further integrate evidence-based and respectful maternity care into service delivery.

This direction is consistent with UNFPA’s Midwifery Accelerator approach, which promotes stronger policy and investment frameworks, quality midwifery education and workforce development, strategic positioning of midwives within health systems, midwifery leadership, and the meaningful participation of women and communities. It also aligns with Türkiye’s national policy priorities, including the Twelfth Development Plan (2024–2028) and the Ministry of Health’s National Normal Birth Action Plan, which emphasize strengthening maternal and newborn health services, promoting normal birth, reducing unnecessary interventions, and improving the quality of maternity care.

Job Purpose:

Against this background, UNFPA Türkiye Country Office intends to support the development of a “National and Regional Strategic Guide on Intervention-Free Childbirth Services and Respectful Care”, in line with Türkiye’s national priorities and relevant international evidence and standards. The Guide is expected to primarily serve Ministry of Health policymakers and health managers, as well as frontline maternity care providers, particularly midwives, obstetricians, and gynecologists. It will provide a practical, evidence-informed framework to strengthen respectful, woman-centered, and midwifery-supported care; promote physiological birth in appropriate cases; and reduce unnecessary or non-evidence-based routine interventions.

Developing the Guide will require assessing relevant policies, evidence, available data, and current practices, complemented by consultation with key stakeholders and technical experts. The assessment of available information on cesarean sections, assisted vaginal births and other interventions will further contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of childbirth practices and areas for quality improvement. Particular attention will be given to identifying implementation needs, variations in practice and service delivery, and opportunities to strengthen midwifery-led and respectful care approaches at national and regional levels. 

The evidence and stakeholder inputs generated through this process will also provide a useful baseline for potential future work in Türkiye, including the planned piloting of a Cesarean Section (CS) Modeling tool and Investment Case.  

The Consultant will ensure that all deliverables, including the draft and final Strategic Guide, are validated through stakeholder review sessions, allowing feedback to be integrated to enhance the guide's applicability, clarity, and acceptance among Ministry of Health policymakers and frontline providers.

How you can make a difference:

Since 1971, UNFPA in Türkiye has worked with government institutions, civil societyorganizations, municipalities, and the private sector to improve the well-being of women,young people, and vulnerable groups. Under its 8th Country Programme (2026–2030),UNFPA Türkiye focuses on strengthening demographic resilience and promoting womenand family-friendly policies; advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment; promoting women’s health and safe motherhood; empowering young people andsafeguarding their well-being; and advancing climate action led by women and youth.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethicalstaff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend themcourageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact andsustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage theresources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results

The Position:

The consultant is expected to work for 50 working days between 26 October 2026 to 25 December 2026 and the consultancy will be home-based.

The consultant will submit a daily log detailing working days and tasks, along with below deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: 30 October 2026, 7 working days 

  Inception Report: Develop an inception report outlining the detailed methodology and analytical framework, detailed work plan and timeline, stakeholder consultation and validation approach, Delphi protocols and expert panel selection criteria, proposed structure of the National Strategic Guideline for Midwifery, and key data sources.

• Deliverable 2: 9 November 2026, 8 working days 

  Draft Recommendations Report: Evidence-based, prioritized policy- and technical-level recommendations to strengthen the midwifery system, including a set of 50 clinical recommendations for low-risk childbirth.

• Deliverable 3: 16 November 2026, 5 working days 

  Delphi Consultation Report: Develop a questionnaire and document the multidisciplinary expert consultation process, levels of agreement, revised recommendations, and issues requiring further discussion.

• Deliverable 4: 1 December 2026, 10 working days 

  National Expert Consultation and Consensus Workshop Report: Organize and document the workshop proceedings, validated recommendations, consensus reached, outstanding issues resolved through the Nominal Group Technique (NGT), and the resulting Action–Indicator Matrix.

• Deliverable 5: 25 December 2026, 20 working days 

  National Strategic Guideline for Midwifery: A comprehensive strategic guideline incorporating the situational analysis, validated recommendations, clinical recommendations, strategic priorities, and an Action–Indicator Matrix specifying actions, responsible institutions, implementation steps, monitoring indicators, and annual targets. Reflection of peer review inputs UNFPA, MoH etc.

All deliverables will be submitted electronically in the agreed formats. The main deliverables will be prepared in Turkish, with the English executive summaries. Acceptance of services upon completion of each deliverable will be certified through a Certification of Payment, countersigned by both parties (IC and UNFPA). 

To mitigate timeline and implementation risks, the consultant will conduct regular weekly check-ins with the UNFPA SRH analyst to review progress against the work plan and address any data and coordination gaps throughout the Delphi and workshop phases.

Work plan/ Indicative timeframe:

• Inception Report: Develop an inception report outlining the detailed methodology and analytical framework, detailed workplan and timeline, stakeholder consultation and validation approach, Delphi protocols and expert panel selection criteria, proposed structure of the National Strategic Guideline for Midwifery, and key data sources. (7 working days)
• Draft Recommendations Report: Evidence-based, prioritized policy- and technical-level recommendations to strengthen the midwifery system, including a set of 50 clinical recommendations for low-risk childbirth. (8 working days)
• Delphi Consultation Report: Develop questionnaire and documentation of the multidisciplinary expert consultation process, levels of agreement, revised recommendations, and issues requiring further discussion. (5 working days)
• National Expert Consultation and Consensus Workshop Report: Organize and document the workshop proceedings, validated recommendations, consensus reached, outstanding issues resolved through the Nominal Group Technique (NGT), and the resulting Action–Indicator Matrix. (10 working days)
• National Strategic Guideline for Midwifery: A comprehensive strategic guideline incorporating the situational analysis, validated recommendations, clinical recommendations, strategic priorities, and an Action–Indicator Matrix specifying actions, responsible institutions, implementation steps, monitoring indicators and annual targets. Reflection of peer review inputs UNFPA, MoH etc. (20 working days) 

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the UNFPA SRH Program Specialist. Throughout the project, technical communication and coordination with the Ministry of Health, other public institutions, and relevant national stakeholders will be carried out in accordance with UNFPA's approval and guidance.

You would be responsible for:

• Preparation/Inception: Detailed workplan, outline of the methodology, analytical framework, consultation and validation approach, Delphi protocols, expert selection criteria, guideline structure, and data sources etc.
• Analysis of the Midwifery System in Türkiye: Conduct an analysis of the midwifery system through a desk review and consultations. The review will draw on WHO and International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) guidelines and standards, the Ministry of Health’s Health Statistics Yearbook 2025, the Türkiye Demographic and Health Survey 2025 (TDHS-2025), and Robson classification data. It will examine the legal and policy framework; workforce capacity, distribution, and deployment; pre-service and in-service education; professional competencies and technical capacity; and systemic barriers to effective midwifery practice and midwife-led, respectful maternity care. Particular attention will be given to intervention-free childbirth services and respectful care.
• Develop Recommendations to Strengthen the Midwifery System in Türkiye: Draft evidence-based and prioritized recommendations, informed by the situational analysis, to strengthen midwifery legislation and regulation, workforce planning and distribution, pre-service and in-service education, professional development, and service delivery at primary and secondary levels of care. The report will also include a draft set of 50 evidence-based clinical recommendations for low-risk childbirth, with a focus on promoting appropriate, safe and respectful care.
• Online Expert Consultations on draft recommendations through Delphi Method: The draft recommendations will be reviewed and validated through Delphi consultations with a multidisciplinary expert panel.
• In-Person Expert Consultation and Consensus Workshop: Organize a follow-up, in-person national expert workshop to review and finalize the draft recommendations developed through the situational analysis and Delphi consultations. The workshop will validate the recommendations and address outstanding issues where consensus was not reached during the Delphi process, using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to facilitate structured discussion, prioritization and consensus-building. 
  • Verification of the recommendations. 
  • Development of an Action–Indicator Matrix: strategic actions identifying implementing institutions (Ministry of Health, universities, professional associations, and NGOs), key implementation steps, indicators proposed for integration into HMIS, and annual targets.
• Preparation of the National Strategic Guideline for Midwifery: Develop a National Strategic Guideline, with a policy brief,  informed by the situational analysis, evidence-based recommendations, Delphi consultations, and consensus reached at the national expert workshop. The Guideline will translate the agreed policy- and technical-level recommendations into a strategic paper covering midwifery legislation and regulation, workforce planning and deployment, pre-service and in-service education, professional competencies, and service delivery at primary and secondary levels of care. It will incorporate clinical recommendations for low-risk childbirth, with particular emphasis on appropriate, safe, intervention-free and respectful maternity care, and include an Action–Indicator Matrix outlining strategic actions, responsible institutions, implementation steps, monitoring indicators and annual targets. It will also identify promising interventions and good practices from Türkiye’s experience that could be adapted and replicated in other countries across the region.
• Peer and MoH Review of National Strategic Guideline for Midwifery: The draft National Strategic Guideline will undergo a comprehensive review process involving external peer reviewers, UNFPA, and the Ministry of Health. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Master’s Degree in midwifery or obstetrics and gynecology nursing.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in midwifery, reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, health workforce planning, health systems strengthening and/or quality of maternity care quantitative research, training program design and delivery (including ToTs), and the development of reports, guidelines, and policy documents, including establishing, developing, or leading the academic and institutional structure of undergraduate and/or postgraduate midwifery programs, schools, or institutes, preferably including curriculum development.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing, developing, or leading the academic and institutional structure of undergraduate and/or postgraduate midwifery programs, schools, or institutes, preferably including curriculum development and academic governance.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Windows-based applications, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Demonstrated experience in developing or contributing to clinical guidelines, strategic frameworks, policy documents, standards, technical guidance, and/or evidence-based reports at the national and/or international level is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in health workforce assessment and planning, including assessment of workforce capacity, distribution and/or service delivery requirements, is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated experience in national curriculum development, quality assurance, evaluation and/or accreditation processes for undergraduate and postgraduate midwifery and/or health sciences education, including participation in national core curriculum development where applicable, is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data, and to translate findings into practical policy and program recommendations, is a strong asset.
• Good knowledge of the national development context is a strong asset.
• Experience in working with international organizations is an asset.
• Experience in working with national and local authorities and NGOs is an asset. 
• Previous experience working with or contributing to technical guidance, standards, policies, or programs of ICM, EMA, or other relevant international organizations in midwifery, maternal and newborn health, or respectful maternity care is desirable.
• Knowledge and/or practical experience applying the Robson Classification to analyze cesarean section patterns is desirable.
• Experience translating health-system, service-delivery and workforce evidence into investment, policy or strategic recommendations is desirable.
• Previous experience in Türkiye with national-level health policy development involving the Ministry of Health, professional associations, universities and/or other key health-sector stakeholders is desirable.

Languages: 

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Turkish. Demonstrated ability to prepare and present high-quality technical documents, analytical findings, and recommendations in both Turkish and English.

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 & Applying Professional Expertise 
• Thinking Analytically & Strategically 
• Working in Teams/Managing our-selves and relationships 
• Communicating for Impact 

Functional Competencies:

• Delivering result-based programs 
• Providing technical support
• Providing conceptual innovation to enhance/strengthen programme effectiveness
• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information

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. 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:

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.