Job description
The Position:
Under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Programme Analyst on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and in close collaboration with the Kazakhstan Association on Sexual and Reproductive Health (KMPA), two national consultants (Lead Training Facilitator and Second Training Facilitator) will jointly develop, co-facilitate and evaluate a comprehensive 4-day training program and agenda aimed at strengthening national and regional capacities in family planning service organization, incorporating the latest global updates on modern contraceptive methods, along with dedicated, specialized sessions on evidence-based LARC, clinical decision-making, counseling techniques for diverse patient groups, and strategic organization of FP services at the regional level. Prepare interactive training materials (presentations, clinical case studies, practical exercises, etc.) covering overall family planning management, modern contraceptive mix, and dedicated LARC application skills. Formulate Pre- and Post-training assessment tools (tests/questionnaires) to measure the knowledge gain of the participants.
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 will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, 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:
Kazakhstan has achieved substantial progress in maternal health over the past two decades, with the maternal mortality ratio decreasing from 60.9 per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 10.1 in 2024. However, family planning remains insufficiently integrated into routine health services and public financing arrangements. Modern contraceptives are currently excluded from both public benefit packages: the State Guaranteed Benefit Package (SGBP) and the Mandatory Social Health Insurance (MSHI) system. Consequently, key family planning indicators are regressing: the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) declined from 53% in 2015 to 44% in 2024, while the unmet need for family planning nearly doubled from 9.8% to 18%.
Between 2021 and 2025, systemic efforts were made jointly by the Ministry of Health and UNFPA to strengthen general capacities, training around 3,500 healthcare providers through annual regional workshops and the srh.org.kz distance learning platform. However, a critical gap remains: to date, no specialized capacity-building trainings focused exclusively on Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) have ever been conducted in Kazakhstan.
This void is particularly acute given the rising population demand for LARC methods - most notably subdermal implants. While previous initiatives covered general family planning, health providers still lack the targeted, hands-on clinical competencies required for LARC administration.
To bridge this specific gap, the proposed 4-day training is structured to strengthen national and regional capacity in family planning service delivery. The training agenda (curriculum) integrates the latest global updates on modern contraceptive methods alongside dedicated sessions focused specifically on LARC. These dedicated LARC modules combine evidence-based medicine and modern educational technologies to build physicians' hands-on clinical skills in LARC application, clinical decision-making, and specialized counseling for diverse patient groups in line with international standards.
In this regard, the purpose of this consultancy is to engage two national consultants to design, facilitate, and evaluate a 4-day specialized training seminar in Astana
Duration and working schedule:
-
Lead Training Facilitator- 7 working days (2 days preparation + 4 days seminar facilitation + 1 day reporting).
You would be responsible for:
1. Development of Training Curriculum and Materials:
o Develop a comprehensive 4-day training program and agenda aimed at strengthening national and regional capacities in family planning service organization, incorporating the latest global updates on modern contraceptive methods, along with dedicated, specialized sessions on evidence-based LARC, clinical decision-making, counseling techniques for diverse patient groups, and strategic organization of FP services at the regional level.
o Prepare interactive training materials (presentations, clinical case studies, practical exercises, etc.) covering overall family planning management, modern contraceptive mix, and dedicated LARC application skills.
o Formulate Pre- and Post-training assessment tools (tests/questionnaires) to measure the knowledge gain of the participants.
2. Training Facilitation:
o Co-facilitate the 4-day in-person workshop in Astana for 40 regional healthcare specialists in October 2026 (exact dates upon coordination with the Ministry of Health).
o Conduct practical/simulated exercises and clinical decision-making sessions tailored to international standards.
3. Evaluation and Reporting:
o Administer and analyze the Pre- and Post-training assessment results.
o Draft and submit a final narrative report (in Russian) outlining training outcomes, key findings, pre/post test evaluation analysis, and strategic recommendations for scaling up LARC competencies in Kazakhstan.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Advanced university degree in Medicine (MD) specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology and at least Master’s degree (MSc, MPH) or higher (PhD/Doctorate) is required.
Knowledge and Experience:
● Minimum of 15 years of clinical practice as an Obstetrician-Gynecologist.
● Extensively experienced in LARC procedures, with a verified history of performing at least 500 LARC insertions and removals throughout professional practice.
● Proven track record of conducting at least 20 national or regional educational workshops/seminars.
● Demonstrated experience in developing and conducting Training of Trainers programs.
● Direct involvement in the development of national clinical protocols, educational curricula, clinical guidelines, or methodological manuals in SRH/Family Planning.
● Expertise in modern simulation-based training techniques and objective clinical assessment tools (e.g., Objective Structured Clinical Examination - OSCE).
● Active membership in international professional societies (e.g., FIGO, ESC, IPPF) OR possession of recognized international certification in Family Planning / Reproductive Health (WHO, JHPIEGO, IPPF, USAID).
● In-depth knowledge of international evidence-based guidelines, including WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria, WHO Family Planning Handbook, etc., with demonstrated ability to translate them into complex clinical decision-making.
Languages:
● Fluency in Russian (required)
● Working knowledge of English is a strong asset.
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.
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.