Midwifery Specialist, Kabul, Afghanistan, P-3

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNFPA is committed to achieving gender balance and fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce.

The Position:

The Midwifery Specialist provides technical expertise and programme support to advance UNFPA Afghanistan’s midwifery and maternal health portfolio as part of the broader reproductive health programme.

The position supports the design, implementation and quality assurance of midwifery-related interventions to ensure the availability, accessibility and quality of maternal and reproductive health services in humanitarian and basic human needs settings.

Working under the supervision of the Programme Specialist, Reproductive Health / Family Planning, the Midwifery Specialist contributes to strengthening midwifery practice, workforce capacity, quality of care and service delivery models in line with international standards and UNFPA programme priorities.

Operating in a complex evolving context, the position supports the continuity of life-saving reproductive and maternal health services and contributes to strengthening the quality and reach of midwifery services across UNFPA-supported programmes.

The position reports directly to the Programme Specialist, RH/FP.

How you can make a difference:

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; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The role provides technical leadership and programme support for midwifery and maternal health programming in Afghanistan, ensuring high-quality and accessible reproductive health services, strengthened midwifery practice and improved maternal health outcomes in humanitarian and emergency affected settings.

You would be responsible for:

Midwifery Technical Support and Programme Implementation

• Provide technical support to the design and implementation of midwifery and maternal health interventions within UNFPA reproductive health programmes.
• Support implementation of Midwifery strategy aimed at retaining midwifery skills and cadres, strengthening midwifery services and improving maternal health outcomes.
• Ensure alignment of midwifery interventions with international standards including WHO guidelines and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) standards.
• Provide technical guidance to implementing partners and service providers to strengthen the quality of midwifery services.
• Support the implementation of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health in humanitarian settings.
• Contribute to strengthening reproductive health service delivery models including community-based approaches.

Quality of Care and Health Workforce Strengthening

• Support initiatives to strengthen midwifery workforce capacity, education and professional development.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of quality assurance mechanisms for maternal and reproductive health services.
• Support the development of technical guidance, protocols and training materials related to midwifery practice.
• Provide technical inputs to improve the quality of emergency obstetric and newborn care services.
• Promote adherence to international midwifery standards and best practices.

Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support monitoring of midwifery and maternal health programme implementation.
• Conduct field visits, where security permits, to monitor programme activities and provide technical guidance.
• Contribute to programme reporting, including preparation of progress reports, situation updates and technical briefs.
• Support the collection and analysis of programme data to inform evidence-based decision making.
• Identify implementation challenges and propose solutions to improve programme effectiveness.

Partnerships and Coordination

• Collaborate with relevant partners, UN agencies, NGOs, networks and civil society organizations involved in maternal and reproductive health service delivery.
• Support coordination with implementing partners to ensure effective implementation of programme activities.
• Contribute to technical discussions and generate innovative ideas for retention and employment of Midwifery cadres through existing coordination mechanisms and associations related to reproductive and maternal health programming.
• Support collaboration across UNFPA programme units to strengthen integrated reproductive health interventions.

Capacity Development and Knowledge Management

• Support capacity strengthening of implementing partners including Midwifery Association, and service providers on midwifery practice and reproductive health service delivery.
• Organize and support technical workshops, competency based training and learning events related to midwifery and maternal health with focus on retaining and refreshing skills and education amongst the Midwifery cadres
• Document best practices and lessons learned from programme implementation.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge products and technical briefs related to midwifery and maternal health.
• Promote the use of evidence and data to inform programme planning and implementation.

Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor or designated authority.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Registered Midwife with an advanced university degree in Midwifery, Public Health, Maternal Health, or related health sciences.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in midwifery, maternal health or reproductive health programming is required.
• Experience in programme implementation and technical support related to maternal and reproductive health services is required.
• Experience in strengthening midwifery services, maternal health programmes or health workforce capacity is required.
• Experience working in humanitarian or crisis-affected settings is desirable.
• Experience working with international organizations, NGOs or UN agencies is an asset.
• Strong analytical, coordination and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel to field locations where security permits.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

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
• Communicating for impact

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results based programmes
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for resource mobilization

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.