Consultancy for the Development of Gender- and Climate-Responsive Continuing Professional Development Modules for Midwives

Project

SMILES

Contracting entity

Somali Midwives Association (SOMA)

Assignment

Development of two competency-based CPD modules

Duty station

Home-based/remote, with approved consultations or pilot activities

Level of effort

Approximately 40 non-consecutive working days

Working languages

English and Somali

Application deadline

31 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. East Africa Time

1. Project Background and Rationale

The Somali Midwives for Improving Lives and Enhancing Sexual and Reproductive Health (SMILES) project is a five-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada and led by CARE International Canada in partnership with the Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM), CARE International Somalia, the Somali Midwives Association (SOMA), the Puntland Association of Midwives (PAM), and the Somaliland Nursing and Midwifery Association (SLNMA). The project contributes to improved sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for Somali women and adolescent girls aged 15-49 in targeted areas of Somalia and Somaliland.

Under this SMILES aims to strengthen the capacity of in-service midwives to provide high-quality, rights-based, gender-responsive and inclusive care across the full scope of midwifery practice. Midwives in rural, remote and crisis-affected settings often have limited access to structured, competency-based continuing education and clinical skills reinforcement. Climate-related shocks, including drought, flooding and extreme heat, further disrupt service delivery, referral pathways and workforce well-being.

The SMILES baseline assessment found that only 38.6% of midwives working in project-supported health facilities demonstrated proficiency in midwifery care, based on their recall of critical elements across relevant clinical topics. Midwives' confidence in delivering rights-based SRHR care was assessed through eleven items and produced an overall mean score of 3.19 out of 5. Confidence was notably lower in soft skills and rights-based practices than in clinical knowledge, underscoring the need for targeted training, mentorship and supportive supervision.

Under this output, the three partner Midwifery Associations will jointly develop a harmonized six-module, gender- and climate-responsive CPD package. SOMA will contract a qualified consultant to develop two assigned modules and their associated learning and assessment resources, and to support technical review and harmonization across the full six-module package.

2. Purpose and Objectives of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to support SOMA and the SMILES project partners to design and develop two technically accurate, competency-based and practice-oriented CPD modules for in-service midwives. The consultant will revise the materials following technical review, harmonization, piloting and validation feedback. Formal technical validation will be undertaken by the CPD Technical Review Committee of senior midwives.

The specific objectives are to:

·         Conduct and document an environmental scan of existing in-service midwifery curricula, guidelines, standards, tools and learning resources relevant to the assigned topics.

·         Develop two complete, competency-based CPD modules with facilitator, participant, presentation and assessment resources.

·         Integrate gender equality, social inclusion, respectful maternity care, disability inclusion, adolescent-responsive care, survivor-centred approaches and climate resilience.

·         Develop practical learning and assessment tools, including case scenarios, pre- and post-tests, simulation exercises, skills checklists and OSCE stations.

·         Participate in technical review, harmonization and limited piloting, and revise the materials in response to consolidated feedback.

·         Submit a complete, editable and professionally formatted final package ready for subsequent training delivery by SOMA and its designated facilitators. The package shall also be designed for online CPD delivery, including digital participant materials, online assessment components and guidance for facilitators delivering the modules virtually.

9. Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant or lead consultant shall meet the following requirements:

·         Advanced university degree in Midwifery, Nursing, Public Health, Medical Education, Reproductive Health or a closely related field. A qualified and registered midwife with an advanced degree is strongly preferred.

·         At least five years of relevant experience in midwifery education, clinical practice, in-service education, CPD, curriculum development or maternal and newborn health programming.

·         Demonstrated experience developing competency-based training modules, facilitator guides, participant materials, clinical simulations, skills checklists, pre/post-tests and OSCEs for midwives or comparable health professionals.

·         Strong technical knowledge of SRHR, RMNCAH, emergency obstetric and newborn care, respectful maternity care and rights-based midwifery practice.

·         Demonstrated understanding of gender equality, gender-based violence, social inclusion, disability inclusion, adolescent-responsive care and survivor-centred approaches.

·         Knowledge of climate-related impacts on maternal and newborn health and experience integrating climate resilience or humanitarian considerations into health learning materials.

·         Knowledge of Somalia's health system, midwifery workforce, national policies, professional regulatory environment, culture and operational context.

·         Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to create clear, engaging and visually accessible learning materials.

·         Excellent analytical, technical writing, presentation, coordination and interpersonal skills.

·         Fluency in written and spoken Somali and English.

·         Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary and virtual teams and meet agreed deadlines.

Desirable experience:

·         Previous work with a professional association, Ministry of Health, regulatory council, university, UN agency or international/non-governmental organization.

·         Experience with Global Affairs Canada-funded or gender-transformative health programming.

·         Experience with digital learning, blended learning or remote technical collaboration. Specific experience developing or delivering online CPD for health professionals is an asset.

Application and Submission Requirements

Interested individual consultants or consultancy firms shall submit:

·         A cover letter expressing interest and confirming availability for the full assignment period.

·         A technical proposal of no more than five pages describing the consultant's understanding of the assignment, methodology, workplan, quality assurance approach and relevant experience.

·         An updated CV of the lead consultant and CVs of any proposed team members.

·         A detailed financial proposal showing professional fees, number of days, daily rate and any other proposed costs.

·         At least two relevant samples of CPD curricula, clinical training modules, facilitator manuals or similar materials previously developed.

·         Contact details for at least three professional references or completion certificates/recommendation letters for comparable assignments.

·         Copies of relevant academic and professional qualifications and, where applicable, proof of professional registration.

Submission: Applications shall be emailed to [email protected] with the subject line "Application - CPD Module Development Consultant" no later than 31st October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. East Africa Time.

Qualified and competent female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply