Public Health Midwifery Investment Specialist (Remote) at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the leading UN organization in Reproductive Health and Population and Development.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: National Individual Consultant, Public Health Midwifery Investment Specialist

Job ID: 34740
Location: Abuja (Remote)
Employment Type: Full-time
Contract type: Individual Consultancy (IC)
Duration: 40 days over a period of six months
Grade: NOC

Purpose of Consultancy

• Global attention and investment in midwifery are increasing as an effective strategy to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3). To advance this agenda, the Midwifery Accelerator was launched in April 2025 by a global coalition including WHO, UNICEF, and ICM to scale up the Midwifery Model of Care (MMoC).
• The primary goal is to generate country-specific evidence on the costs and economic benefits of scaling up MmoC to inform policy, prioritize investments, and mobilize resources. By implementing investment case framework analysis in midwifery at country level, UNFPA together with key stakeholders would be able to provide economic arguments to persuade the government to expand investments in and coverage of MmoC.
• This case will guide strategic investments, policy formulation, and resource mobilization, with the ultimate goal of improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes in the country.

Responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Induction workshop: working in collaboration with a Health Economist, design and co-facilitate a national induction workshop, in coordination with Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH&SW), Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP), Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, and key stakeholders, to present and discuss the objectives of the investment case. The workshop will aim to establish a multi-sectoral Task Force and develop a roadmap for implementation.
• Stakeholder Workshops: Plan and co-facilitate 3–4 national and subnational workshops to support the investment case for midwifery. These will include an inception workshop, coordination meetings, validation of draft results, and a final dissemination event with FMOH&SW and relevant stakeholders.
• Situational Analysis: Lead a thorough analysis of the national and subnational landscape for RMNCAH+N and midwifery in Nigeria. Review maternal and neonatal mortality rates, the primary causes of preventable deaths, health system characteristics, existing policies, and the current state of the midwifery workforce and model of care.
• Define Midwifery Intervention Package: In line with the investment case framework and national priorities, lead the definition and selection of a model package of midwifery care that can be delivered by midwives in the Nigerian context to accelerate reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity.
• Workforce Analysis and Strategy: Estimate the workforce requirements needed to deliver the modeled scale-up scenario, in collaboration with the Health Economist.
  • Conduct a gap analysis of the current midwifery workforce supply, distribution, and skill mix against the projected demand.
  • Develop evidence-based workforce development strategies, considering options such as training new cadres, scaling up existing training programs, and improving retention.
• Analyze Enabling Environment: Assess the contextual factors required for an enabling environment for midwifery in Nigeria, including regulation, professional status, gender equality, and system-level integration.
• Reporting: Lead the drafting of the RMNCAEH+N and human resource for health sections of the reports and deliverables, ensuring a cohesive and integrated final investment case document.

Supervisory arrangements:

• The Public Health Consultant will be under the supervision of the Technical Specialist, Reproductive and Maternal Health at the country office.
• Technical guidance will be provided by designated UNFPA technical team members and regional experts. Regular review meetings will be held to assess progress and resolve challenges.

Requirements

• She/he must possess a postgraduate degree in Public Health, Midwifery, Nursing, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in RMNCAEH+N programming, health systems strengthening, and/or health workforce planning.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting health situations and workforce analysis including programme design.
• Prior experience in developing investment cases and policy advocacy in low-resource settings is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of Nigeria’s health system and services, policies, and socio-cultural context.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Strong drafting and writing skills with attention to detail.
• Computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

• UNFPA shall provide logistic support for field missions to designated states and workshop events in line with UNFPA Travel Policy.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

• The Consultant shall be paid in line with UNFPA human resource policy.

Expected travel:

• Minimum travel expected.
• The consultant is required to attend any meetings specifically requested by the FMOH&SW, and FMBEP. However, domestic travel costs for activities outside Abuja will be covered by UNFPA, according to its established rules and guidelines. This includes transportation and per diem for missions related to data collection, stakeholder consultations, and co-facilitation of the national Inception workshops as outlined in the Terms of Reference (TORs).

Languages:

• English Language

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
• Communication for impact

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• Providing quality program support and technical assistance
• Empowering and building trust among both internal/external partners and stakeholders
• Managing resources
• Making decisions and exercising.

Application Deadline 
21st June, 2026; 23:59 (America / New York).

Method of Application 
Interested and qualified candidates should use link below to Apply.

Click here to apply online

Note: This vacancy announcement is only for Nigerian nationals.