Job description
The Position:
UNFPA, in collaboration with its partners, is committed to ending preventable maternal deaths by 2030. This commitment is pursued through the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER), which employs a multi-sectoral strategy founded upon three critical strategic pillars: the mobilization of political leadership, the reinforcement of accountability systems, and the securing of sustainable financing for maternal health. The central objective of this initiative is to expedite the reduction in maternal mortality, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.
With the acceleration of efforts to end preventable maternal deaths, there is the need for current, up-to-date data to inform programs, policies and decisions.
You will report to:
Under the overall guidance of the Country Representative, with support from the Deputy Country Representative and direct supervision of Head of the Reproductive Health Unit, the Individual Consultant (IC) will conduct a confidential enquiry into maternal deaths in Ghana, with guidance from the Technical Working Group.
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:
To lead a team of technical working group members with representation from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ),Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons,Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Institute of Social Statistical and Economic Research (ISSER) and Regional Institute Population Studies (RIPS), to design and to conduct a confidential enquiry into maternal deaths in Ghana, identifying root causes and contributing factors, and providing evidence-based recommendations to improve maternal healthcare quality and reduce preventable
maternal mortality.
You would be responsible for:
With the acceleration of efforts to end preventable maternal deaths, there is the need for current, up-to-date data to inform programs, policies and decisions.
Specifically the confidential enquiry will:
• Conduct a comprehensive review of maternal deaths in selected high-burden health facilities across Ghana.
• Apply the Three Delays Model and WHO Quality of Care Framework to analyze causes of death.
• Identify clinical, infrastructural, systemic, and community-level factors contributing to maternal deaths.
• Assess quality of institutional care, including adherence to clinical protocols and guidelines, and availability of resources.
• Develop SMART recommendations for improving maternal healthcare, strengthening accountability, and reducing maternal mortality.
Given the background provided, the IC is being engaged to lead the conduct of a confidential enquiry into maternal deaths in Ghana.
Specific Activities
• Undertake a comprehensive review of maternal mortalities within selected high-burden health facilities across Ghana.
• Utilize the Three Delays Model and the WHO Quality of Care Framework to conduct an analysis of the causes of death.
• Ascertain the clinical, infrastructural, systemic, and community-level determinants contributing to maternal deaths.
• Evaluate the quality of institutional care, including adherence to established clinical protocols and guidelines and the availability of essential resources.
• Formulate Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) recommendations for enhancing maternal healthcare, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and reducing maternal mortality rates.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
- Medical Degree - MB ChB or equivalent
Knowledge and Experience:
- 10 years' experience in Maternal Health and a strong understanding of Ghana's health care system.
- Postgraduate training in public health, social science, OBGYN, feto-matemal medicine or related areas will be an added advantage.
- Experience in maternal health and a strong understanding of Ghana's health care system
- Experience in conducting public health related research, facilitating stakeholder engagements and management of multi-layered public health programmes
- Wide experience in delivering analytical reports
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience in public speaking.
- Demonstrate skills in team and consensus building.
Languages:
- Fluency in English and any local language.
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,
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.