Midwife Advisor (6 Positions)

Position Title: Midwife Advisor
Required number Six (6)
Department: Program Department
Reports to: Project Manager
Additional instruction from:
Location: ,Amhara, Oromia, Tigray ,Somali, Sidama, South Ethiopia
Duration : One-year contract with the possibility of extension based on performance and project funding availability.
Grade Level: VIII
Job Category : Healthcare

Organizational Description:

The Ethiopian Midwives Association (EMwA) is a legally registered, autonomous, non-profit professional association established in 1992 and re-registered under Ethiopia’s Civil Society Organizations Proclamation. Operating across all regions of Ethiopia, EMwA works to strengthen the quality of midwifery education, practice, leadership, and professional development. As a member of the International Confederation of Midwives since 1993, EMwA collaborates with government institutions, development partners, academic institutions, and communities to improve access to quality Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) services and contribute to national and global health goals.

EMwA is committed to ensuring that women, newborns, children, and adolescents, particularly those in underserved and humanitarian settings, have access to quality and life-saving RMNCAH services. Through the deployment of skilled midwives, community engagement, capacity building of healthcare providers, and health system strengthening initiatives, the Association supports the delivery of essential health services in both development and emergency contexts. EMwA envisions a future where every woman and newborn has access to respectful, evidence-based midwifery care and works to advance the midwifery profession through leadership, advocacy, research, and professional excellence.

Position summary:

The Midwifery Advisor is responsible for providing technical leadership, coordination, and oversight for the implementation of the PSI supported project aimed at increasing the utilization of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) services and improving the quality of RMNCAH care at health centers and health posts and at the community level supporting Village Health Imitative. The position supports the strengthening of community and facility-based health systems through the establishment and capacity building of Village Health Leaders (VHLs), training and mentoring of Health Extension Workers (HEWs), midwives, and other healthcare providers, and the promotion of evidence-based RMNCAH interventions.

Working closely with PSI Ethiopia, EMwA, RHB, Woreda and Zonal Health Offices, health facilities, and community stakeholders, the Midwifery Advisor will coordinate project planning, implementation, monitoring, supportive supervision, and reporting activities. The Advisor will facilitate strong linkages between communities, health posts, and health centers to improve access to and utilization of quality RMNCAH services. The position also plays a key role in stakeholder engagement, documentation of best practices, quality improvement initiatives, and ensuring that project activities are implemented in accordance with approved plans, donor requirements, and organizational standards to achieve sustainable health outcomes.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct baseline assessments jointly with the Government and relevant stakeholders prior to project implementation.
• Develop and share training schedules in collaboration with partners, Woreda Health Offices, Zonal Health Offices and regional Health Bureau.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate training programs for healthcare providers, Health Extension Workers (HEWs), Village Health Leaders (VHLs), and other stakeholders on RMNCAH services and community engagement.
• Establish and strengthen Village Health Leader structures and support their effective engagement in promoting RMNCAH service utilization at the community level.
• Organize orientation and sensitization sessions for Woreda administrators, health managers, and community leaders on RMNCAH priorities and the role of Village Health Leaders.
• Prepare detailed training plans, operational work plans, and budgets in accordance with project objectives and approved guidelines.
• Foster strong collaboration and a common understanding among government stakeholders, partners, health facilities, and community structures to ensure smooth project implementation.
• Provide technical assistance and mentorship to health centers and health posts to improve the quality, accessibility, and utilization of RMNCAH services.
• Strengthen the capacity of midwives, HEWs, and other healthcare providers through continuous professional development, coaching, and supportive supervision.
• Introduce and promote innovative and evidence-based interventions in maternal, newborn, child health, family planning, and adolescent health services.
• Coordinate regular review and performance-monitoring meetings with health center heads, HEWs, Village Health Leaders, and Woreda Health Office representatives.
• Conduct regular supportive supervision, mentoring, and coaching visits to health centers and health posts to improve service quality and performance.
• Strengthen referral linkages between communities, health posts, and health centers to ensure timely access to RMNCAH services.
• Monitor project implementation, track performance indicators, and ensure activities are implemented according to approved plans and timelines.
• Collect, analyze, and report project data, ensuring timely submission of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to EMwA, Woreda Health Offices, and the Project Manager.
• Identify, document, and disseminate best practices, success stories, lessons learned, and innovations for wider replication and policy influence.
• Coordinate and facilitate advocacy, awareness-creation, and high-level stakeholder engagement meetings at Woreda, Zonal, and Regional levels as required.
• Participate in program planning, proposal development, monitoring and evaluation activities, and the preparation of technical reports and project documentation.
• Ensure regular monitoring and evaluation activities are conducted and that findings are incorporated into project planning and continuous improvement processes.
• Follow up on the implementation and outcomes of trainings and mentorship activities at project-supported health facilities and training institutions.
• Contribute to the preparation of newsletters, magazines, case studies, success stories, and other publications highlighting project achievements and impact.
• Ensure that all budget requests and expenditures are prepared accurately and comply with donor requirements, organizational policies, and approved project plans.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with government offices, health facilities, trainees, partners, and community stakeholders at all levels.
• Represent the project and EMwA in relevant technical meetings, review forums, and stakeholder engagements as delegated.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Project Manager or supervisor in support of project objectives and organizational priorities.

Education:

• MSc/BSc in midwifery or other related filed with Midwifery background

Experience:

• Minimum of 3/6 years of progressive professional experience in Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, and Reproductive Health (RMNCAH) programs
• Experience in implementing community-based health programs, particularly those involving Health Extension Workers (HEWs), community volunteers, or Village Health Leaders (VHLs).
• Demonstrated experience working closely with Health Extension Workers (HEWs) and community health structures, with a strong understanding of the Ethiopian Health Extension Program (HEP)
• Demonstrated experience in planning, coordinating, and facilitating training for healthcare providers and community health workers.
• Proven experience in providing technical support, mentoring, coaching, and supportive supervision to health facilities and healthcare providers.
• Experience in managing/coordinating health programs in NGO
• Proven experience in program management or coordination with MOH , RHBs, and Zonal Health Offices.
• Experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing.

Additional Training:

• Training in Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC/BEmONC/CEmONC).
• Training in Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR).
• Training in Family Planning and Post-Partum Family Planning .
• Training in Quality Improvement (QI) approaches and standards.
• Training in Mentorship and ccoaching.
• Training in Training facilitation skills.
• Project /Program Management training Certificate is an added value

Competencies/ Technical skills

• Excellent analytical skills and software’s (Stata, SPSS, Epi-info, open code )
• Strong technical knowledge of RMNCAH programs and services.
• Training, facilitation, and capacity-building skills.
• Supportive supervision, mentoring, and coaching skills.
• Program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills.
• Data analysis, interpretation, and report-writing skills.
• Stakeholder engagement, networking, and partnership-building abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Budget planning and resource management skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.;

Languages

• spoken and written English and local language

Desired Criteria (An Asset)

• Being a Ethiopian Midwives Association Member