II. Background Information
About the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education Project
The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing a “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Through the IOM Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) programme, Somali diaspora professionals have supported institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development of health and education institutions across Somalia since 2015.
The MIDA FINNSOM PHASE III – Health & Education project – contributes to strengthening the Health and Education sectors in Somalia towards achieving specific priorities in the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and the Essential Package for Health Services (EPHS), as prioritized and outlined by the government. The project aims to do so by engaging and enhancing the role of qualified Somali diaspora experts willing to temporarily return to their country of origin. In particular, through assignments within key ministries and public institutions (including hospitals and universities), Somali diaspora experts contribute addressing gaps and enhancing strengths in the planning and delivery of health and education services, coherently with the needs identified through the dedicated baseline assessment conducted during the inception phase of the project. Furthermore, a component of the project is devoted toward contributing to the creation of stable and sustainable access to employment opportunities in the health and education sectors for local experts and interns, who will work in close coordination with the Somali diaspora experts – therefore reaping long-terms benefits of knowledge transfer, competencies sharing and skills development.
III. Duties & Responsibilities
The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Health and Human services (MoHHS), through the technical assistance provided by the IOM MIDA FINNSOM III Health and education project, seeks to build the skills of its Health care staff.
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Host Institution , the qualified midwife will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:
- Provide hands-on clinical training, mentorship, and supervision to midwives and healthcare staff.
- Conduct workshops and seminars on advanced midwifery practices, including maternal and neonatal care.
- Assess the knowledge and skills of local midwives and develop tailored capacity-building programs.
- Introduce and reinforce evidence-based practices in midwifery care and obstetric emergency management.
- Support the development and implementation of midwifery training curricula aligned with international standards.
Clinical Support & Service Delivery
- Assist in the management of high-risk pregnancies and childbirth complications.
- Guide and support midwives in performing safe deliveries, antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care.
- Ensure adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in maternal healthcare settings.
- Provide counseling and support to pregnant women, including GBV survivors and those with high-risk conditions.
- Monitor and improve clinical protocols to enhance patient safety and quality of care.
Policy & System Strengthening
- Work with hospital management and Ministry of Health officials to strengthen midwifery services.
- Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for maternal and newborn health services.
- Support data collection, reporting, and monitoring of maternal health indicators to inform policy.
- Advocate for improved midwifery workforce development and resource allocation.
Collaboration & Knowledge Exchange
- Foster partnerships with local institutions, universities, and professional associations to enhance midwifery education.
- Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and contribute to hospital-wide quality improvement initiatives.
- Organize community outreach programs to promote maternal health awareness and access to care.
Other Duties
- Provide on-the-job coaching and bedside teaching to junior staff and midwifery students.
- Support the integration of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in maternal healthcare services.
- Perform any additional tasks as assigned by the institution or program coordinators.
IV. Requirements
Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, the MIDA FINNSOM III Heath and Education project is requiring the following deliverables to be submitted throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project:
- Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of the assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the supervisor, MoHHS coordinator, MoHHS M&E Specialist and IOM project team. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.
- Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to the supervisor, MoHHS Coordinator, MoHHS M&E Specialist and IOM project team. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.
- Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment.
V. Qualifications
Level of Education:
- Minimum: BSc of Midwifery ,
Years of work experience in what area(s):
- Minimum 5 years of working experience in Midwifery
Languages needed:
- Fluent in English.
- Fluent in Somali.
- Arabic language will be an advantage.
General Skills / Other Requirements:
- Experience in clinical teaching.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to operate as part of a team and independently.
- Ability to use Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web-based management systems.
- Ability to identify innovative approaches to problems in a challenging environment.
VI: Subsistence Allowance
The monthly stipend amount will be determined by the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education project, based on degree and years of relevant experience.
All applications must be sent via email to: midasomvacancy@iom.int with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION – as mentioned in the vacancy announcement. For further inquiries about the MIDA positions, you can reach out to: hsiraji@iom.int and sparkkali@iom.int.
To be considered, applicants must provide a cover letter, CV, and the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references by the closing date of this vacancy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The closing date of this application is 09.04.2025, at 12.00 PM EAT.
VII: Security and insurance modalities
Health insurance will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit for the job.
Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.
