Local Consultancy: Constitution Development for the Society of Midwives of South Africa

The Consultancy: Constitution Development for the Society of Midwives of South Africa.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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.

Purpose of consultancy:

Midwives are central to improving access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health (SRMNAH) services in South Africa. Strengthening the professional voice and institutional capacity of midwives is

essential to achieving national and global health priorities, including Sustainable Development Goal 3, particularly targets 3.1 on maternal mortality and 3.2 on neonatal mortality.

The Society of Midwives of South Africa (SOMSA) serves as a professional platform representing midwives, supporting professional development, advocacy, and policy engagement within the national health system.

However, like many professional associations, SOMSA faces challenges related to institutional sustainability, governance structures, membership engagement, and strategic positioning within the broader health and policy

landscape.

To strengthen the association and ensure its long-term viability, UNFPA seeks to engage an individual consultant to conduct a comprehensive organizational review of SOMSA and support the development of a clear

strategic roadmap for the association.

Scope of work:

The consultant will undertake a comprehensive review and strategic strengthening process for SOMSA.

Key tasks include:

1. Organizational Review

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of SOMSA’s current institutional status, including:

1. Governance structures
2. Organizational mandate and legal framework
3. Membership structure and engagement
4. Operational systems and sustainability
5. Partnerships and external positioning

• Review existing documentation, including:

1. Constitution and bylaws
2. Strategic plans (if available)
3. Governance documents
4. Membership frameworks
5. Previous reports and assessments.

2. Stakeholder Consultations

• Conduct consultations with key stakeholders including:

1. SOMSA leadership and members
2. Midwives working in public and private sectors
3. Relevant government partners (e.g., NDOH)
4. Academic institutions and training bodies Professional councils and associations

• Identify key challenges, opportunities, and priorities for strengthening SOMSA.

3. Benchmarking and Best Practice Review

• Review governance and operational models of successful midwifery associations and professional bodies globally and regionally.
• Identify best practices relevant to strengthening SOMSA as a professional association.

4. Strategic Positioning of SOMSA

• Develop recommendations to support SOMSA to become a strong, sustainable and influential professional association, including:

1. Clear mission, vision and strategic priorities
2. Strengthened governance structures
3. Improved membership engagement and growth
4. Sustainable resource mobilization models
5. Enhanced policy and advocacy role for midwifery
6. Strengthened partnerships with government, academia, and development partners

5. Development of Strategic Roadmap

• Facilitate a strategic planning process with SOMSA leadership.
• Develop a medium-term strategic roadmap for the association.
• Provide recommendations for institutional strengthening and sustainability.

The consultancy will support SOMSA to:

• Assess its current institutional structure, governance, and operational capacity.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the association’s sustainability and relevance.
• Develop a clear strategy and governance framework to position SOMSA as a strong professional body representing midwives in South Africa.
• Provide recommendations for strengthening SOMSA’s role in advancing midwifery leadership, professional standards, and maternal health outcomes.
• Produce a final draft constitution ready for validation and approval by the SOMSA leadership.
• Finalise and submit a fully validated document

Duration and working schedule:

The consultancy is expected to be for 20 working days spread over the period 3rd of April to 30th of April 2026. This period covers the comprehensive organizational review, stakeholder consultations, and development of the initial strategic documents and first draft constitution.

Place where services are to be delivered:

Online

Deliverables and Delivery dates

1. 1. Inception Report containing Work plan, outlining approach, key milestones, timeline, and required inputs (April 7, 2026).
2. Draft Constitution (First Draft) – based on initial review and resources
3. informed by recommendations of literature review (April 24, 2026).
4. Draft Constitution ready for validation – incorporating all feedback from CRC
5. and SC (May 1, 2026).
6. Final version based on validation meeting outputs (May 15, 2026).

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

1. Regular check-ins (virtual) with the SOMSA leadership team will be scheduled at key stages of development.
2. The consultant will provide email-written updates alongside draft deliverables.

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Assistant Representative under the overall guidance of the MNH team at UNFPA

East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO).

The consultant will also collaborate closely and be strategically guided by the SOMSA leadership team

Expected travel:

During technical consultation meetings, the consultant’s travel (if required) and daily subsistence will be covered by UNFPA

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

The consultant will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Five years of working experience in the field of organizational development and management or any other relevant field.
• Masters degree in MBA, management, organizational development or any other relevant areas of study.
• Proven continental and regional experience in organizational development, governance, and related matters.
• Experience drafting organisational strategic documents such as strategic plans, constitutions, bylaws, or governance frameworks for professional associations or similar organizations. Knowledge of African regional cultural and linguistic diversity.
• Familiarity with midwifery and/or other health professional bodies/ regulation or association management. Experience working with midwifery organisations.
• Strong writing skills in English is a must and working knowledge of or fluency in French is a plus.
• Ability to work collaboratively and integrate diverse feedback.

Inputs UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

The consultant will work virtually from their own workstation using their own tools and facilities as may be required.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

Payment will be made against the receipt of deliverables.

Payment structure

• Inception report: 10% of the total payment
• Draft report: 50% of the total payment
• Final report: 40% of the total payment

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,

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.

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