South Sudan: Midwife Analyst

ONLY NATIONALS OF SOUTH SUDAN ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

1. Background

Under the overall supervision of UNFPA Representative and direct supervision of the UNFPA SMSII Project Coordinator and Director of Nursing and Midwifery in the Ministry of Health, the Midwifery Analyst (NPPP) will provide support to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Strengthening Midwifery Services II project; focusing on aspects of health systems strengthening for midwifery improvement. The post holder will work towards strengthening institutional and technical capacities of national and sub-national midwifery institutions to make them competent in midwifery education and training; midwifery policies and practice, including regulations and in promotion of positive midwifery image and career; and enhancing the performance, visibility and image of midwifery council and associations. He/she analyses and assesses relevant political, policy and social trends as they relate to midwifery and provides substantive inputs in the design and evaluation of midwifery related interventions.

2. Job Purpose

The Midwife Analyst substantively contributes to the effective implementation of the SMS II project. S/he provides support and contributes to the planning, coordination and monitoring of all project components. H/She guides and facilitates timely delivery of quality UNFPA programmes on midwifery by supporting development and implementation of annual and quarterly work plans; undertaking programme supervision, monitoring and the reporting of results achieved. He/she works with technical staff at UNFPA and Ministry of Health to facilitate work of consultants, advisors and experts on midwifery. The Midwife Analyst also establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with relevant counterparts in government (Health, Education, Public Service and Professional Councils), multi-lateral and bi-lateral donor agencies, the private sector and civil society organizations including midwifery association to address emerging issues in midwifery.

3. Major Activities/Expected Results

• In collaboration with other project partners, The Midwife Analyst contributes substantively to ensure effective coordination of midwifery related assessments and planning for midwifery programme.
• To support the Ministry of Health in ensuring effective coordination of midwifery related assessments (including gaps in human resource planning and management of midwifery workforce; midwifery education and training; midwifery professional association development and midwifery standards and regulation) and planning, including harmonization of health development partners inputs for midwifery programme.
• Provides on-going technical direction, in the development/adaptation, diffusion and use of programme/technical tools, policies, guidelines and standards, quality assurance and support supervision in support of implementation of SMS II project; and participate in the review of such tools especially those targeting sector ministries, regulatory bodies, training institutions and professional associations.
• Support the Ministry of Health to develop, execute and periodically review Midwifery Improvement Programme and continually align midwifery issues with relevant current national and sector strategic frameworks and plans including National Development Plan, Health Sector Strategic Investment Plan (HSSIP), Education Sector Strategic Plan, other thematic strategies and expenditure frameworks for midwifery issues with a view to improve policies and practices for midwifery training, recruitment, retention and motivation.
• Develop and manage strategic relationships with key stakeholders in country in the area of midwifery improvement and in executing their mandated functions in midwifery education and training, practice, regulations and services including development/review of policies, strategies and guidelines and capacity building and provision of technical assistance.
• Works with the national nurses and midwives association to raise the profile of the professions and to support advocacy and community mobilization initiatives for promotion of midwifery image and career.
• Facilitates implementation of the national UN volunteer midwives deployment component, facilitating timely and efficient delivery of project component inputs and addressing training needs of national UN volunteer midwives.
• Mobilize and support advocacy and community mobilization initiatives for promotion of midwifery image and career, including working with advocates to mobilize for increased student enrolment into midwifery training, their recruitment into practice and projecting of positive image of midwifery as a noble and honourable profession essential in maternal child health, etc.
• Participate in the identification and formulation of UNFPA and Ministry of Health midwifery component work plans and projects by compiling and analyzing information, drafting project documents and work plans and preparing tables and statistical data.
• Supports the generation of strategic information and evidence to inform national policies and strategies for midwifery improvement. Document and share good (best) practices in midwifery with project and other stakeholders.
• Facilitates networking and coalition-building with other national programmes, agencies, organizations and professionals to improve midwifery programmes in the context of improved reproductive health services, particularly maternal and new-born health.
• Undertakes programme supervision, monitoring and the reporting of results achieved. He/she works with Project Technical Specialists to facilitate work of consultants, advisors and experts on midwifery.
• Provides technical guidance and support to Health Sciences Institutes for quality improvement in midwifery and nursing education.
• Analyses and assesses relevant political, policy and social trends as they relate to midwifery and provides substantive inputs in the design and evaluation of midwifery related interventions.

4. Work Relations

External partners include staff of other UN agencies, government agencies particularly Ministry of Health, international and local NGOs particularly working in reproductive health and midwifery and SMS II project implementing partners to exchange information and for collaboration. Internal partners include primarily UNFPA CO Representative, Deputy Representative, programmes staff, Technical Advisors, Midwifery Specialists and other technical and project staff; H/She will supervise National UN Volunteer midwives working in the project.

5. Job Requirements

Education:

Qualified Midwife (preferably diploma) in midwifery with additional qualifications at Masters level in Public health, Nursing, social science and any related discipline.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 5 years professional experience. Preference will be given to candidates with midwifery service, midwifery education and training and/or administration/regulation in the public or private sector. Familiarity with South Sudan Health System is an added advantage.
• Knowledge and experience in the field of development and programme management, including budget management is desirable.
• Fluency in oral and written English, with experience in public speaking.

Required Competencies:

Core Competencies:

• Core Competencies:
• Values: Integrity/Commitment to mandate, Knowledge sharing/Continuous learning, Valuing diversity.
• Managing Relationships: Working in teams, Communicating information and ideas, Conflict and self management.
• Working with people: Empowerment/Developing people/Performance management.
• Personal Leadership and Effectiveness: Strategic and analytical thinking, Results orientation/Commitment to excellence, Appropriate and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/Advancing a policy oriented agenda
• Results-based programme development and management
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partners
• Resource mobilization

Languages:

Fluency in English and working knowledge of Arabic is required.

• Applicants should submit their applications only through e-mail (electronically). Please send your cover letter and P11 (www.unfpa.org/resources/p11-un-personal-history-form) and other supporting documents by e-mail to SSCO.vacancies@unfpa.org.
• Please highlight clearly the position for which you are applying.
• Deadline for applications: 25 May 2017, 11:59pm.
• We will only be able to respond to those applicants in whom the Country Office has further interest.
• UNFPA is committed to maintain balanced gender distribution of the positions and therefore encourages women to apply.
• UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
• UNFPA offers an attractive compensation package commensurate with experience.
• IMPORTANT: There is NO application processing or other fees at any stage of UNFPA application processes.