Midwifery Situation Analysis Tool (SAT) Consultant

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. Access to safe, quality, equitable, and respectful maternity care is essential to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes, protecting women’s rights, and advancing universal health coverage.

WHO, UNFPA, and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) support countries in strengthening evidence-based, woman-centered, and respectful maternity care and in transitioning toward effective Midwifery Models of Care (MMoC). These models promote continuity of care, partnership with women, support for physiological birth, appropriate use of clinical interventions, and midwives’ ability to provide and coordinate quality care within their full scope of practice. Key global resources guiding this transition include WHO’s Transitioning to midwifery models of care: global position paper (2024) and Implementation guidance on transitioning to midwifery models of care (2025), Start with Her: UNFPA Strategy for Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health and Well-Being 2025–2030, the Midwifery Accelerator (2025), and UNFPA’s Investment Case Framework for Care Provided by Midwives (2026).

Job Purpose:

Under the UNFPA Midwifery Acceleration Grant, Türkiye completed the Rapid Assessment Tool in preparation for the Regional Conference on Accelerating Midwifery in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, held in Ankara, Türkiye, on 7–8 September 2026 and co-hosted by UNFPA EECARO, the Ministry of Health of Türkiye and TİKA. Building on this work, the present consultancy will support the participatory application of the UNFPA Midwifery Models of Care Situation Analysis Tool (SAT) in Türkiye. The SAT provides a structured, participatory assessment of the minimum requirements for transitioning to midwifery models of care. It builds on the earlier Rapid Assessment Tool and identifies strengths, gaps, and priority areas for action. It is not an audit or performance evaluation. It supports evidence-informed policy dialogue, advocacy, and strengthening of the national action plan.

This consultancy supports follow-up to the 2026 Ankara regional midwifery conference in terms of facilitating the Situation Analysis Tool (SAT) process, consolidating stakeholder inputs, completing the assessment, and delivering the final report and presentation. At the conference, participating delegations developed draft national or local action plans informed by the Rapid Assessment Tool. Applying the SAT will enable participating countries and territories to build on these rapid assessments, refine their action plans, and establish a baseline to inform subsequent progress monitoring. The findings will complement the forthcoming regional Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, which UNFPA EECARO will share to support annual monitoring of action plan implementation. Türkiye will lead the assessment, with UNFPA Türkiye support, and it will contribute to EECARO’s identification of shared priorities, coordination of support in response to identified gaps, and facilitation of learning across countries.  

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 10 working days between 23 November 2026 to 22 December 2026 and the consultancy will be home-based. Task force meetings and the one-day National Validation Workshop will be held online.

Work plan and indicative timeframe is as follows:

Phase 1: Preparation and Desk Review 23-30 November 2026

• Pre-scoring of Country Profile, preliminary questions, and 57 questions; entering evidence/sources into the Excel tool.
• Preparation of stakeholder map, workshop agenda, and methodology
• Translation into Turkish of the SAT document to be used during the interviews and workshop

Phase 2: Task Force Review and National Validation Workshop 1-14 December 2026

• Review of draft scores with the national midwifery task force/advisory group and relevant national stakeholders.
• Facilitation of stakeholder consultations and a national validation workshop

Phase 3: Finalization and Reporting 14-22 December 2026

• Finalizing the Excel tool according to consultation and workshop outcomes, ensuring that all 57 assessment questions are scored or marked N/A where genuinely applicable, with supporting evidence and relevant explanatory notes recorded.
• Preparation of a 3–4 page Executive Summary (Word) and PPT presentation containing key strategic priorities, gaps, and charts.
• Submission of deliverables to UNFPA and incorporating final revisions based on feedback

The consultant will submit a daily log detailing working days and tasks, upon completion of all below deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Preparation and Desk Review,  30 November 2026, 4 working days 

• Draft SAT Excel file containing the Country Profile, preliminary questions, pre-scores for 57 questions, evidence/sources, and notes.
• Stakeholder map, workshop agenda, and methodology.

Deliverable 2: Task Force Review and National Validation Workshop, 14 December 2026, 4 working days 

• Interview and Workshop participant list and report

Deliverable 3: Finalization and Reporting,  22 December 2026, 2 working days

• Validated and fully completed final SAT Excel file 
•  3–4 page Executive Summary (Word) and presentation (PPT) covering key findings, gap analysis, charts, and strategic priorities.

All deliverables will be submitted electronically in the agreed formats. Acceptance of services upon completion of all deliverables will be certified through a Certification of Payment, countersigned by both parties (IC and UNFPA). 

The consultant will work under the direct technical supervision of the UNFPA Türkiye Country Office Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Programme Specialist, with support from the UNFPA Programme Analyst, SRH&FP.

You would be responsible for:

1. Preparation and Desk Review

• Prepare Turkish translations of the SAT questions, response descriptions, and supporting materials required for stakeholder consultations and validation, preserving the original tool's meaning and the integrity of the Excel workbook.
• Compile an evidence folder containing national policies, strategies, legislation, standards, and budget documents; health workforce data (e.g., National Health Workforce Accounts); education and routine service data (HMIS); and national studies and reports.
• Complete the Country Profile and four preliminary questions; pre-score the 57 evaluation questions across 18 categories and complete the "Evidence/Source" and "Notes" columns for each question.
• Prepare proposed national definitions for seven questions containing subjective or open-to-interpretation expressions (Q2, Q3, Q18, Q22, Q28, Q47, Q52); define consensus methodologies for questions that may remain subjective without evidence (Q39, Q40, Q42, Q53, Q54).
• Adhere to linked question rules (Q4–Q5, Q34–Q37, Q48–Q49) and the rule that "N/A should only be used when the question is truly non-applicable in the national context."

2. Focal Point Coordination and Task Force Review

• Work with the key point from the Ministry of Health-led national midwifery coordination mechanism to coordinate completion, review and validation of the assessment.
• Manage the single master file of the tool; consolidate inputs and feedback from contributing experts into the master file from separate working copies.
• Review draft scores with the national midwifery taskforce/advisory group; resolve discrepancies through evidence review and consensus, documenting the rationale in the "Notes" column.

3. Validation and Prioritization

• Design and facilitate a 1-day Validation Workshop with representatives from relevant public institutions, universities, professional midwifery associations, and civil society.
• Conduct prioritization based on need, equity, feasibility, and urgency. Determine priority levels (high/medium/low/N/A), concrete proposed actions (what and when), and responsible institutions (lead and supporting) for each category.

4. Finalization and Reporting

• Fully complete the Excel tool in line with workshop decisions: ensure that all 57 assessment questions are scored or marked N/A where genuinely applicable, with supporting evidence and relevant explanatory notes recorded, rankings visible, and validation details recorded in the Country Profile.
• Analyze the results across the tool's three views: 18 categories; the 3 pillars and 7 accelerators of the UNFPA Midwifery Accelerator guidelines; and the core pillars and 8 transition areas of the WHO Implementation Guide. Identify the strongest and weakest areas.
• Prepare a concise executive summary and presentation highlighting key findings, gaps, charts, and strategic priorities, presenting recommendations to refine the draft national action plan developed at the Ankara conference and inform subsequent monitoring. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Master’s degree in Midwifery, Nursing, Public Health, Health Management, or a related field

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 2 years of professional experience in reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, midwifery, or health workforce policies, including experience in health-system assessment, program implementation, or midwifery education.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pre-service midwifery education and experience in midwifery education, health-system strengthening, or related programs.
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills in multi-stakeholder meetings, technical working groups, and expert workshops.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly MS Excel.
• Clinical midwifery experience and/or experience in midwifery education, including teaching in a university midwifery program is an asset.
• Knowledge of WHO and UNFPA guidance on midwifery-led models of care and ICM standards is an asset.
• National or international publications in maternal and newborn health or midwifery are assets.
• Knowledge of the national health system and development context is an asset.
• Familiarity with UNFPA or UN programming is an asset.

Languages: 

• Advanced written and spoken communication skills in Turkish and English, including technical reporting.

Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA:

• "UNFPA_Situation_Analysis_Tool_MMoC" Excel tool, User Guide, and introductory presentation.
• Support in establishing formal communication channels with the Ministry of Health and key stakeholders, and convening the national midwifery coordination mechanism. 

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
• 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.