International Individual Consultant: Technical Specialist - Maternal Health Care

The consultancy is a time-bound assignment to assist in scaling up high-impact interventions and strengthening health systems in FSM. The goal is to bridge service gaps and secure equitable, lifesaving maternal health care services, directly supporting UNFPA PSRO’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda.

The International Consultant will be based in the UNFPA Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) country office in Pohnpei. S/He will report directly to the Chief of Health & Technical Advisor SRHR at the UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office (PSRO), under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director, with support from the Assistant Representative at the UNFPA FSM Country Office. As a key member of the SRHR team, the Consultant will provide integrated programmatic and technical support, utilizing a health systems strengthening approach central to UNFPA’s global strategy

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency dedicated to ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Operating in the Pacific for over 30 years through its Pacific Sub-regional Office (PSRO) in Suva and field presence in 9 Pacific Island countries (PICs), UNFPA serves as the sole intergovernmental agency substantively dedicated to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The organization’s regional strategy is articulated through its 7th Multi-Country Programme (MCP7) for 2023–2027, which covers 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICT), including Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, RMI, FSM, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Nauru, Niue, Tokelau, Tuvalu, and Palau. 

The UNFPA Pacific’s MCP7 programme aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023–2027 and contributes to UNFPA’s global Strategic Plan (2026–2029) by assisting Member States in achieving three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending the unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. Central to UNFPA’s mission is a partnership-based approach, working closely with national governments to expand local capacities and secure sustainable, rights-based responses to SRHR across the Pacific. The SRHR landscape of FSM is marked by geographic dispersion and urgent health trends that demand focused intervention. FSM reports a sharp spike in maternal deaths reaching 334 per 100,000 live births in 2024,1 alongside a skilled birth attendance rate of 85%2 . While the country grapples with a 33% prevalence rate of violence against women and girls, it simultaneously faces critical gaps in service readiness. Currently, only 37% facilities are cervical cancer screening ready, 23% of health facilities are antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) service ready; while only 20% of all health facilities providing deliveries are ready to provide for vaginal deliveries.3 These indicators are further complicated by high STI prevalence, such as chlamydia rates of 16% among the population4 , signalling a critical need for integrated health system strengthening.

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 that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise, implementation, and management support for the project: " Strengthening maternal health care services in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)". As part of the UNFPA Pacific SRHR team, the consultant will drive results in FSM, focusing on maternal health system strengthening, including maternal and perinatal surveillance and response (MPDSR); HPV DNA screening; integration of GBV prevention services; postpartum family planning and basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC).

The consultancy is a time-bound assignment to assist in scaling up high-impact interventions and strengthening health systems in FSM. The goal is to bridge service gaps and secure equitable, lifesaving maternal health care services, directly supporting UNFPA PSRO’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda.

Payment will be on a monthly schedule upon satisfactory delivery of associated deliverables and with acceptable quality by the UNFPA Representative, upon submission of Certificate of Payment and Monthly Accomplishment Report

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 [link removed] to learn more.

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.