[Hiring] Individual Consultant @UNFPA

Role Description

The consultant will work under the supervision of the SRHR & Health Systems Specialist, under overall guidance of the SRHR/Youth Advisor and Deputy Representative. The Midwives Association of Kenya (MAK) will act as the technical implementing partner responsible for day-to-day technical guidance, facilitating access to key documentation, convening stakeholders/TWG, and reviewing deliverables prior to submission to UNFPA.

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes:

• Ending the unmet need for family planning;
• Ending preventable maternal deaths;
• Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices;
• Adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

This consultancy is crucial to inform the adaptation of the global frameworks to the Kenyan context, generating country-specific evidence to drive sustainable improvements in midwifery training and practice.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in Midwifery, Nursing, Public Health, Health Professions Education.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in midwifery clinical practice, education, curriculum review, health workforce development, or policy.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting situational analyses, gap analyses, qualitative data collection, and competency mapping.
• In-depth knowledge of Kenya's health system, NCK regulatory framework, and international guidelines (ICM and WHO standards).
• Proven track record in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations with government ministries, professional bodies, and development partners.
• Fluency in written and spoken English with exceptional technical writing skills.

Requirements

• Conduct Desk Review to assess the current status of midwifery education/training, regulation, and clinical practice in Kenya.
• Conduct situational analysis by engaging relevant stakeholders to identify the gaps in midwifery education/training, regulation, and clinical practice in Kenya.
• Document and present the situation and gap analysis report to stakeholders at a consultative forum.
• Formulate clear evidence-based recommendations to inform Phase 2 (Framework Development).

Benefits

• Consultancy duration is for a period of 35 days over three months (Sept - Nov 2026).
• Clear milestone-based payment outlined for this consultancy.
• All deliverables must be submitted in electronic copies and written in English.

Key Deliverables

• Inception report detailing work plan, outline of the report, methodology, proposed stakeholders mapping, document review matrix, and data collection tools (September 2026).
• Draft Situational and Gap Analysis (knowledge, skills and behaviours matrix) (October 2026).
• Validation workshop to generate final validated Consolidated Evidence Report incorporating stakeholder inputs (November 2026).
• Hold a stakeholders workshop to present situational analysis findings and secure high-level buy-in on the framework's scope and structure (November 2026).

Supervisory arrangements

The consultant will work under the supervision of the SRHR & Health Systems Specialist, overall guidance of the SRHR/Youth Advisor and Deputy Representative. UNFPA will hold sole responsibility for overall contract management, performance monitoring, deliverable approvals, and payment disbursements.

Place where services are to be delivered

Nairobi, Kenya - The consultant is expected to work remotely, utilising their own office space, computer, internet, telephone and other equipment as needed, to undertake this assignment.

Other relevant information and special conditions

• All documents prepared during the assignment shall be treated as property of UNFPA Kenya CO and MAK.
• All interested applicants should submit a letter of interest, CV with evidence of qualifications and experience, and at least one sample of a similar assignment undertaken within the last five years.

Required Competencies

• Exemplifying integrity.
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system.
• Embracing cultural diversity.
• Embracing change.
• Achieving results.
• Being accountable.
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen.
• Thinking analytically and strategically.
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships.