Community Midwife case study Consultancy

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

1. Background

The protracted conflict in Yemen has devastated the country’s health system, leaving millions, especially women and girls, without access to essential health services. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) Yemen has been responding to this crisis by strengthening the primary healthcare system, including through the deployment and support of Community Midwives (CMWs) in remote and conflict-affected areas.

The CMW program is a cornerstone of IRC’s strategy to improve maternal, newborn, and reproductive health outcomes in hard-to-reach communities. CMWs deliver vital services at the community level, including antenatal, safe delivery, and post-natal care; family planning; health education; and referrals to higher-level facilities when needed. They are also trained in providing basic mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) through interventions such as the Thinking Healthy program, helping women cope with distress, trauma, and depression. The CMW collaborates with other health workers and receives regular supervision and mentoring from IRC’s sexual and reproductive health staff, who visit them in the field and provide feedback and guidance.

To enhance the technical and programmatic support provided to CMWs, and ensure the delivery of quality and integrated care, IRC seeks to conduct a case study to explore and document the successes, challenges/gaps, and opportunities of the CMW model in Yemen.

2. Objectives

Overall Objective: To assess the role, contribution, and impact of IRC-supported Community Midwives in delivering integrated reproductive health (RH) and mental health services in Yemen, identify program strengths and weaknesses through stakeholder perspectives and programmatic data review, and to generate evidence to inform program improvement, policy engagement, and advocacy with the goal of enhancing service delivery and outcomes for beneficiaries.

Specific Objectives:

• Service Mapping: Document the scope of RH and MHPSS services provided by CMWs.
• Program Reach and Outcomes: Analyze routine health data and indicators collected by CMW to understand the coverage and health outcomes achieved.
• Stakeholder Perspectives: Capture the experiences and satisfaction of service users, community leaders, and health system actors regarding CMW-delivered care. Topics may include, but not limited to, satisfaction, accessibility, and perceived quality of care.
• Behavioral and Cultural Shifts: Explore how CMWs influence community attitudes toward RH, maternal and newborn health, self-care, and mental health support.
• Mental Health Integration: Assess the perceived efficacy and implementation of the Thinking Healthy program, both for clients and for CMWs’ own psychosocial wellbeing.
• Identifying key technical and operational challenges, including gaps in training, supervision, and supply chain support.
• Program Gaps and Recommendations: Identify operational challenges and provide actionable recommendations to improve program quality and sustainability.

3. Methodology

The case study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative inquiry with analysis of existing program data. The methodology will include:

• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): CMWs, IRC health and MHPSS staff, MoPHP representatives, facility supervisors.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Women and adolescent girls in the reproductive age, male community members as appropriate.
• Case Narratives: Human-interest stories from CMWs and clients (with consent).
• Document Review: Supervision reports, service data, and training materials.
• Quantitative Analysis: Interpretation of routine indicators relevant to RH (ANC, PNC, safe delivery, family planning uptake) and mental health referrals/interventions.

All tools and approaches will be gender-sensitive, culturally appropriate, and aligned with IRC’s Do No Harm and safeguarding principles.

4. Scope of Work

The case study will be implemented in selected IRC-supported governorates (e.g., Lahj, Al Dhale’e, and Abyan), with a representative sample of active CMWs, beneficiaries, supervisors, and community stakeholders.

The consultant/researcher will:

• Conduct field visits and FGDs with CMWs, RH/MHPSS supervisors, and community members.
• Facilitate focus group discussions (FGDs) with women who have received services.
• Engage local health authorities and community leaders to gather insights.
• Review program data and documentation.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative information to assess program outcomes and challenges.

5. Outcomes

This case study is designed to fulfill a dual purpose: to document and analyze the critical contributions of Community Midwives in Yemen and to produce actionable insights that strengthen reproductive and mental health service delivery in fragile contexts. Through in-depth examination of the CMW model, the study aims to:

• Provide a comprehensive understanding of how CMWs function within the broader health system and community settings.
• Generate evidence on the effectiveness of community-based service delivery in improving maternal and mental health outcomes.
• Identify systemic enablers and barriers influencing CMW performance, reach, and impact.
• Illustrate the lived experiences and perspectives of women and girls receiving care, amplifying their voices in health system evaluation.
• Explore how CMWs contribute to social and behavioral change within conservative or underserved communities.
• Inform programmatic adjustments and strategic investments by highlighting operational strengths and gaps.

Ultimately, the case study aims to support IRC and health authorities in scaling up effective models, advocating for policy reforms, and enhancing the sustainability of community-based midwifery services in Yemen and similar contexts.

6. Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to provide the following:

Inception Report – Including methodology, data collection tools, and work plan. Draft Case Study Report – Summarizing key findings and emerging themes. Final Case Study Report – Including detailed analysis, success stories, and recommendations. Advocacy Brief (2–3 pages) – Highlighting key messages and impact for external audiences.

All deliverables should be submitted in English. Arabic translation of the advocacy brief may be requested.

7. Reporting Arrangements

The Consultant will report to the Health Coordinator in close collaboration with the MEAL Coordinator and Health technical Managers.

8. Timeframe

The assignment is expected to take place over a period of 6 to 8 weeks from the date of contract signing. A detailed timeline will be developed during the inception phase.

Activity Timeline

Inception & tool finalization and ethical approval Week 1

Data collection (field work) Weeks 2–4

Analysis and draft report Weeks 5–6

Finalization and submission Weeks 7–8

9. Qualifications

The consultant or research team should have the following qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, or related fields.
• Proven experience in qualitative research and case study development, preferably in humanitarian or fragile settings.
• Expertise in sexual and reproductive health and community-based MHPSS.
• Knowledge of community health worker models, preferably including midwifery.
• Understanding of Yemeni cultural and health system dynamics.
• Fluency in Arabic and English is required (Arabic for conducting fieldwork and focus group discussions (FGDs), and English for reporting, communication with IRC, and participation in meetings and learning workshops).
• Willingness and ability to travel to field sites in Yemen, subject to security clearance.

10. Application process

Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit an application in English. The application package should include:

• Cover letter outlining relevant experience and skills against qualifications listed.
• Brief Technical Proposal detailing the methodology for the evaluation and a work plan.
• CV of proposed Consultant
• Provide a sample report(s) of similar work conducted previously – the client’s name may be redacted. IRC will only use the sample reports for purposes of identification of a consultant for this assignment.
• Financial proposal showing the total evaluation cost.

11. Evaluation and award of consultancy

IRC will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial soundness and feasibility. IRC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest, the highest, or any bidder

10. Budget

The payment schedule will be determined between IRC and the selected Consultant based on the financial proposal. A detailed budget will be developed based on the proposed methodology, fieldwork plan, and deliverables. IRC will cover agreed consultancy fees, travel, and other approved fieldwork costs

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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