Mission and objectives

UNFPA’s mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. The Agency promotes gender equality and empower women, girls and young people to take control of their bodies and their futures. We work with partners in more than 150 countries to provide access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services. Our goal is ending unmet need for family planning, preventable maternal death, and gender-based violence and harmful practices including child marriage and female genital mutilation by 2030.

Context

Sierra Leone has made notable progress in improving maternal health with a 74% reduction in MMR from 1,682 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 443 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. The decline in MMR mirrors significant improvements in access to maternal health services, with the percentage of births attended by skilled health personnel increasing from 42% in 2008, to 60% in 2013, to 87% in 2019. Despite this progress, maternal mortality remains high, and most deaths occur in health facilities, highlighting the need to prioritize quality of care, human resource capacities and healthcare infrastructure. The country faces shortage of midwives to adequately support the skilled care along the continuum of care. Only 46% of the national need for midwives was met in 2023 while nearly 70% have certificate level qualification. Midwifery also plays a critical role in the achievement of UNFPA’s three Transformative Results on ending preventable maternal mortality, ending gender-based violence and ending unmet need for family planning. Sierra Leone is one of the six champion countries selected for the roll out of the Global Midwifery Acceleration Roadmap, an initiative to advocate for high level commitment to the implementation of Midwifery model of care – as a cost-effective approach towards ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Guided by the Acceleration Roadmap and other UNFPA priorities, the Midwifery Programme Specialist will focus on supporting Ministry of Health to strengthen the legal and policy environment for midwifery practice and implement the Midwifery model of care.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of Maternal and Reproductive Health Technical Specialist the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support the development and implementation of national policies, legal frameworks and strategies relating to midwifery. • Support the development and implementation of the Midwifery model of care as out-lined in the Global Midwifery Acceleration Roadmap and other relevant documents. • Facilitate the strengthening of the capacity of midwives to provide evidence-based quality maternity care, including respectful maternity care, antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care services. • Support the role of midwives in the national gender-based violence response • Support capacity building of midwives on Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for emergency preparedness. • Collate and analyse data on maternal and newborn health indicators to inform policy and midwifery practice. • Coordinate capacity building initiatives (training and mentorship) on all aspects of comprehensive SRHR, including integration of Adolescent and Sexual Reproductive Health, Family planning, and gender-based violence (GBV). • Support use of innovation, but not limited to digital technology, to advance midwifery practice and access to sexual and reproductive health services. • Support knowledge sharing by documenting and sharing best practices in midwifery care and contributing to the development and dissemination of reports and publications • Participate in the formulation of programme and donor reports, background briefs, and other advocacy products as may be needed. • Conduct monitoring/mentoring visits and ensure a systematic approach for tracking barriers, challenges, and progress within facilities. • Provide support in capacity needs assessment of midwifery education, regulation, as-sociation and the SRH services in the health facilities. • And any other relevant duties as may be assigned.

Competencies and values

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Empowering Others, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

Freetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, located on the Atlantic coast in West Africa. It is a vibrant and bustling city with a rich history and diverse culture. English is the official language while Krio is the most widely spoken local language. Freetown has a tropical climate with high humidity and temperatures that range from 75°F to 85°F. The rainy season lasts from May to October, which can cause flooding and landslides in some areas. It’s im-portant to be prepared for the weather and take necessary precautions. There are a variety of housing options available in Freetown, from apartments and condos to houses and villas. The cost of living can be quite high, especially in more affluent neighbourhoods. Traffic can be quite heavy, so it’s important to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to get around. Like any major city, Freetown has its share of crime and safety concerns. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect oneself and belongings. Freetown is a di-verse city with a rich cultural heritage. It’s home to a variety of ethnic groups, each with their own traditions and customs

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements