International Consultant: Constitution Development Consultant for the proposed pan-African midwives’ Organization

Hiring Office:

UNFPA, Maternal Health Unit 

Purpose of consultancy:

Midwives in Africa play a critical role in improving access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health (SRMNAH) services. A key goal is around efforts towards achievement of SDG3, targets 3.1 on maternal mortality and 3.2 on neonatal and child mortality and beyond.

The midwifery leaders in Africa, under the auspices of the Centre for Health Development and Research (CEHDAR, an Africa, midwifery, nursing and health systems strengthening focused NGO), organised a Summit in Accra-Ghana in collaboration with a multidisciplinary Steering Committee of midwifery leaders and stakeholders. The Summit with the theme “Unifying Midwifery in Africa: Reimagine, Reignite and Rise” took place between April 30 and May 2, 2024. The Summit focused on strategic discussions allowing participants to engage and deliberate with each other on midwifery in Africa, the challenges faced by the profession, and emphasized the value in promoting collaboration among midwives’ healthcare providers, policymakers and communities.

The Summit served as the catalyst for midwives resolving to establish a regional entity to stand as the voice of the profession on the continent.

The Unifying Midwifery in Africa Steering Committee (SC) has therefore initiated a process to establish the new continental body representing midwives across Africa. A Constitution Development Sub-committee (CDC) has been formed to guide the process, provide reference materials, and facilitate consultation.

In collaboration with SC/CDC, UNFPA ESARO seeks to recruit a consultant to develop a draft constitution for the proposed pan‑African midwives’ organization that aligns with global thinking and best practices in the governance of professional bodies, is informed by mission‑aligned organizations in Africa and globally, supports and drives its vision and mission whilst incorporating  African cultural sensitivities and regional diversity.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The Consultant will: 

• Review reference materials and resources provided by the CDC.
• Conduct an additional literature search and document a review on constitutions and governance models of regional/global midwifery or health professional bodies that are best practices for consideration.
• Present findings and recommendations to CDC/SC for approval.
• Draft: Mission, Vision, and Objectives statements.
• Fully draft constitution (preamble, governance structure, membership categories, decision-making processes, amendment and dissolution clauses, etc.).
• Share working drafts for review and incorporate feedback.
• Attend virtual meetings with CRC and/or SC as required.
• Produce a final draft constitution ready for validation and approval by the SC and Summit delegates.
• Finalise and submit a fully validated document

  Duration and working schedule:

  The consultancy is expected to be for 15 days spread over the period 20th of August to 30th of November.

  Place where services are to be delivered:

  Online

  Deliverables and Delivery dates 

  📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

  ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

  1. Inception Report containing Work plan, outlining approach, key milestones, timeline, and required inputs (25th of August).
  2. Draft Constitution (First Draft) – based on initial review and resources informed by recommendations of literature review (18th of September).
  3. Draft Constitution ready for validation – incorporating all feedback from CRC and SC (30th of September).
  4. Final version based on validation meeting outputs (30th of November).

     Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

     Regular check-ins (virtual) with the Constitution Development Sub-committee (CDC) /UNFPA (ESARO, WCARO and ASRO) will be scheduled at key stages of development.

     The consultant will provide email-written updates alongside draft deliverables.

     Supervisory arrangements: 

     The consultant will work under the supervision of the Maternal Health Programme Specialist at UNFPA ESARO under the overall guidance of the Health System Specialist at UNFPA ESARO. 

     The consultant will also collaborate closely and be strategically guided by the Constitution Development Sub-committee and the Steering Committee.

     Expected travel:

     During technical consultation meetings, the consultant’s travel (if required) and daily subsistence will be covered by UNFPA ESARO

      

     Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

     The consultant will be selected based on the following criteria: 

  5. Five years of working experience in the field of organizational development and management or any other relevant field.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in MBA, management, organizational development or any other relevant areas of study.

Inputs UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

The consultant will work virtually from their own workstation using their own tools and facilities as may be required. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

Core Competencies: 

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. 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.