Midwife Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Lao country programme cycle 7 (2022-2026) seeks to accelerate progress towards the achievement of universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. This will be done through the following investments in human capital development: supporting adolescent girls and boys to delay pregnancy and marriage until adulthood by acquiring skills and competencies, including through comprehensive sexuality education, ensuring every pregnancy is by choice and that no woman dies while giving life, and that women and girls can live lives free from abuse and violence. These are essential for youth to realize their full potential and for the country to realize its demographic dividend. The programme will focus on supporting national systems so that the country stays on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 25th International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25) commitments despite setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This UNV assignment is part of the UNFPA programme with a focus on the flagship programming initiative on Midwifery.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Programme Coordinator or designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Midwife Specialist will oversee midwifery and related programmes. S/he will work in close collaboration with national authorities, humanitarian agencies (UN and international NGOs) and/or national partners and civil society organizations to design bankable programs/projects within the country. The Specialist will proactively provide the UNFPA management with information on progress and results of UNFPA programmes, proposal development, funding opportunities and follow-up on innovative approaches for the synchronization and integration of programme activities relating to midwifery Education, Regulation and Association.

The Midwife Specialist will support the Government to develop, execute and review its midwifery programme and continually align midwifery issues with relevant current national and sector strategic frameworks and plans including the National Development Plan, relevant health sector strategic plans, and other thematic strategies and expenditure frameworks for midwifery issues with a view to improve policies and practices for midwifery training, recruitment, retention, and motivation.

UNFPA support has strengthened midwifery education and the capacities of midwifery educators. In particular, midwife students are benefiting from more than clinical trainings. Three schools were selected (Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang and Champasak) as Centres of Excellence for Midwifery Education. The process of obtaining national and international accreditation has started and field visits by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) will occur in late September/early October 2022.

Specific tasks are included below:

1. Support Accreditation Process for 3 Schools

- The specialist will support the process of obtaining national and international accreditation, bring it to conclusion and follow up and support on ICM recommendations that the three schools are to implement.

2. Midwifery System strengthening and Capacity building

- Review and revise the 18 months upgrade course with the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Department of Health Personnel and the midwifery schools; - Develop a Clinical Teaching Guide based on global good practice to produce competent and confident practitioners, with the Department of Health Personnel and Department of Health Care and Rehabilitation. Test the guide to strengthen Clinical Teaching; - Establish the supervisory and mentorship programme to ensure that practitioners can get the necessary support. Operationalize supervisory system and mentorship programme.

3. For midwifery profession regulations, support licensing process for midwives

- Working with the Health Professional Council (HPC) to establish a Licensing system for midwives of different levels; - Provide Technical support to the National Exam system, including the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to maintain national standards and focusing on skills, knowledge and attitude to ensure students are consistently assessed to the same standards.

4. Support the Lao Association of Midwives (LAM)

- Provide technical support to the Association management and board members so they have a system to provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, provision of technical support to hotline call handlers and peer support role; - Provide support to conduct the midwife led practices in community

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNFPA; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNFPA procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNFPA in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance.

midwifery, sexual and reproductive health, or other relevant programmes at the national and/or international level. Experience with midwifery education is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.

• Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge are: proposal writing, fund raising and gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights, and a human rights-based approach to programming; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in UNFPA’s work, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Living conditions in Vientiane are relatively good and comfortable but residents must make concessions due to the tropical climate and underdeveloped infrastructure, especially health facilities. The UN Clinic provides health services for all staff and dependents but for some specialized treatments it is necessary to seek health care outside Laos.

Most commodities may be purchased in Vientiane or across the border in Thailand 1 or 2 hours away from the capital.

Vientiane is a relatively safe place to live in, with violent crime incidents very rare. However, single females should exert vigilance if moving alone during the dark and it is best advised to move in groups.

Bag snatching and traffic accidents are number one hazards in the capital. Whilst traveling in the Lao provinces, staff will experience more hardship due to lack of infrastructure and general commodities.

There is a wide range of housing options in Vientiane located within easy reach of the UN House (where UNV offices are located). Houses or apartments are usually of good standards. All basic commodities can be bought in Vientiane and its immediate vicinity. House shares with 3-4 people are most common but single apartments are also available. The Vientiane entertainment scene is still quiet and in order to avoid feeling lonely the person should be proactive in forming friendships.

Vientiane’s city centre is full of restaurants, shops, bars and internet cafes all lined up along the Mekong river.

Lao PDR provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.