Consultant for Developing Strategic Guideline for Non-Interventional Maternity Services and Respectful Care
Organizational Context
UNFPA in Türkiye has been working since 1971 to improve the well-being of women, young people, and vulnerable groups. This consultancy supports the UNFPA Türkiye Country Office's objective to strengthen demographic resilience and promote women-friendly policies. The consultant will report to the UNFPA SRH Program Specialist and collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other national stakeholders.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to develop a National and Regional Strategic Guide on Intervention-Free Childbirth Services and Respectful Care, aligning with Türkiye's national priorities and international standards. The guide will serve policymakers, health managers, and frontline maternity care providers, particularly midwives. It will provide a framework to enhance respectful, woman-centered, and midwifery-supported care, promote physiological birth, and reduce unnecessary interventions. The process involves assessing policies, evidence, and practices, consulting stakeholders, and validating recommendations to ensure the guide's applicability and acceptance.
Responsibilities
The consultant will develop a detailed work plan and methodology, including stakeholder consultation and Delphi protocols. A comprehensive analysis of Türkiye's midwifery system will be conducted, drawing on national data and international standards, focusing on legal frameworks, workforce capacity, education, and barriers to respectful maternity care. Based on this analysis, evidence-based recommendations will be drafted to strengthen midwifery legislation, workforce planning, education, and service delivery, including 50 clinical recommendations for low-risk childbirth. The consultant will facilitate online Delphi consultations and an in-person national expert workshop to validate recommendations and build consensus. An Action-Indicator Matrix will be developed, outlining strategic actions, responsible institutions, and targets. Finally, a National Strategic Guideline for Midwifery will be prepared, incorporating all findings and recommendations, and will undergo peer and Ministry of Health review.
Work Experience
Requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in midwifery, reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, health systems strengthening, or quality of maternity care. Experience in developing reports, guidelines, and policy documents is essential. Demonstrated experience in developing or contributing to clinical guidelines, strategic frameworks, or policy documents at the national or international level is a strong asset. Experience in health workforce assessment and planning is also a strong asset.
Skills
Competencies include integrity, commitment to UNFPA and UN values, embracing diversity and change, achieving results, accountability, professional expertise, analytical and strategic thinking, teamwork, self-management, and effective communication. Skills in delivering results-based programs, providing technical support, generating and managing knowledge, and translating evidence into policy recommendations are crucial.