National Consultant: Support the Operationaliztion of reducing maternal and child mortality reduction framework

National Consultant to Support the Operationalization of Reducing Maternal and Child Mortalty Reduction Framework

You will report to Programme Specialist Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH)

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 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.

This consultancy aims to strengthen national and local government capacity in RMNCH program management includes program planning, budgeting, coordination,  advocacy, implementation and monitoring/supervision. The consultant will spearhead the development of program management guidelines, design performance indicators and reporting workflows, and conceptualize a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) dashboard. To ensure these tools are practical and effective, the consultant will conduct policy desk reviews, facilitate stakeholder consultations, and refine the guidelines based on regional field trials.

Maternal, neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates remain major challenges in Indonesia's health development. Despite ongoing government efforts, the pace of reducing these mortality rates has not yet met national targets or global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Wide disparities in achievements across different regions highlight the need for massive, systematic, and locally contextualized interventions. The causes of mortality are highly complex, involving a mix of clinical factors (such as postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, low birth weight, and asphyxia) and systemic issues (such as inequity, variation of local health system readiness,  delayed treatment, poor service quality, suboptimal health facility readiness, and environmental factors like sanitation and maternal nutrition). This complexity demands a robust, structured approach from the central government down to the regional levels.

In the context of the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), reducing maternal and child mortality is a critical part of the fourth of National Priority (Human Resource Development) and the first of Priority Program (Improving Public Health and Nutrition). This includes various service indicators such as standard antenatal care (ANC), facility-based deliveries, immunization coverage, and hospital/health center standards. To ensure these mandates are met, the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) has drafted an evidence-based National Framework for Reducing Maternal and Child Mortality to guide both central and local governments in achieving the 2025-2029 RPJMN and 2030 SDG targets

To successfully operationalize this National Framework, Bappenas, with technical support from UNFPA and other development partners, needs to develop practical technical tools to implement the road map within existing governance business processes. The objective of the tool is to enhance varying local government capacities in in RMNCH program management includes program planning, budgeting, coordination,  advocacy, implementation and monitoring/supervision.and to provide a standardized, data-driven framework integrated with national information systems to track performance indicators and assess the frameworks  effectiveness

The consultant holds overall responsibility for the successful delivery of the consultancy, focusing on programme management frameworks and monitoring systems. 

• Conduct an extensive policy desk review of current local government program planning, budgeting, coordination, and execution including benchmarking successful PFM initiatives like stunting reduction.
• Develop  RMNCH program management guidelines  for sub-national program manager
• Develop M&E framework for RMNCH at the national, provincial and district levels. 
• Develop technical assistance  guidelines on reducing maternal and child mortality reduction framework for improving capacities at the  sub-national level
• Develop supervision tools for RMNCH programme managers 
• Provide technical assistance to Bappenas, MOH and MOHA in developing sub-national mortality transition tools to classify and prioritize districts based on their programme performance, health system context, mortality burden and fiscal capacity. 
• Facilitate cross-sectoral consultations with relevant development partners,  national and subnational stakeholders to gather input and ensure collective ownership of the tools developed.
• Lead and coordinate  field trials and validation workshops to test proposed frameworks to ensure alignment of piloting across sites funded by development partners.
• Provide technical assistance to the MoH for the tracking of follow up of JER RMNCAH Recommendations

• Technical Assistance guidelines on reducing maternal and child mortality reduction framework for sub-national level : a comprehensive manual for province managers (Bappeda, PHO and other relevant sectors) to implement and provide technical assistance to district on the maternal and child mortality reduction framework
• Guideline of  RMNCH Programme Management : A comprehensive manual designed utilizing existing governance business processes to strengthen local government capacity in using financial and programme data for  RMNCH program planning, budgeting, coordination, advocacy, implementation and monitoring/supervision
• M&E Framework: A finalized set of performance indicators to measure RMNCH programmes at the national and subnational level.
• Supervision and accompaniment tools: A clearly designed, tiered supervision and accompaniment tools to build capacity for programme management of RMNCH.
• Progress report of field test activities of maternal and child mortality reduction framework. 
• Progress report on adoption of JER RMNCAH recommendations

The consultancy is output based as indicate in the dey deliverable below and the overall time frame for 120 days. This service between June to December 2026

Home-based in Jakarta and selected areas, as approved by the supervisor

1. Inception Report consisting of background, Metodology and framework of piloting
   1. Conduct a  policy desk review of current local government program planning, budgeting, coordination, and execution frameworks.
   2. Facilitate cross-sectoral consultations with relevant national and regional stakeholders to gather input and ensure alignment.
2. Draft technical assistance guidelines for maternal and child mortality reduction framework and JER follow up report
   1. Develop technical assistance  guidelines on reducing maternal and child mortality reduction framework for sub-national level 
   2. Supporting the Secretariat of JER RMNCAH
3. Draft RMNCH programme management guidelines, M&E framework, Supervision tools and inputs to MNH mortality transition framework
   1. Develop RMNCH programme management guidelines
   2. Develop M&E framework for RMNCH at the national, provincial and district levels
   3. Develop supervision tools for RMNCH programme managers 
   4. Contribute to the development of sub-national transition mortality tool and district prioritisation
4. Revised guidelines and tools based on piloting and Piloting report
   1. Facilitate  field trials and validation workshops to test proposed frameworks in West Java, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan and Central Sulawesi
   2. Coordinate the work of the Team Member to ensure Public Financial Management (PFM) elements are seamlessly integrate
   3. Refine and finalize all documentation based on stakeholder feedback and trial results.

The consultant will be directly supervised by UNFPA SRH Specialist. Furthermore, the SRH Specialist will be responsible for monitoring progress of the consultancy work through the close communication with the IC to ensure that scheduled deadlines can be met and with quality of work. 

The consultant will report directly to the SRH specialist; with guidance from the SRH Specialist, UNFPA Representative, and quality assured by the UNFPA Assistant Representative.

The greater Jakarta area, West Java, and South Sumatra, West Kalimantan and Central Sulawesi.

• Master’s degree in Public Health, International Development, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Additional qualifications as a medical doctor, midwife, or health-related profession is desirable.

Professional Experience: 

• At least 5 years of professional experience in public health, with a focus on maternal and newborn health, sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
• Proven experience in working on programme/project management, particularly related to maternal and newborn health, reproductive health, including human resources for health at the national and/or subnational level.
• Demonstrated expertise in public health, maternal and newborn health, and reproductive health issues programme and policies.
• Working experience with government, or INGOs/ NGOs, or professional organizations at national or subnational level.
   

Knowledge and Skills:

• Advance knowledge of reproductive, maternal, and newborn health policies and programme.
• Understanding of Indonesia's health systems, particularly related to reproductive, maternal, and newborn health including human resources.
• Familiarity with current issues concerning the health transformation strategy led by Ministry of Health.
• Analytical ability by using existing data and present it in an interactive ways, particularly in the context of  reproductive, maternal and newborn health.
• Experience in liaising, engaging and partnering with multiple stakeholders across different sectors (e.g., government agencies, UN organizations, civil society, and donors) and facilitating constructive dialogues.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex data and provide actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated capacity to work independently and take initiative, while also being able to collaborate effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to navigate political sensitivities and diverse stakeholders with tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• A problem-solving mindset, especially in dealing with challenges related to fiscal constraints and limited resources.
• Flexibility and adaptability in working in a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable development context.

Technical Competencies:

• Familiarity RMNCH programmes and programme manager tools 
• Familiarity with RMNCH governance including strengthening the role of subnational planners 

• Fluency in English and Bahasa Indonesia (written and spoken).
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to draft high-quality and well-structured reports.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills for conducting workshops, training sessions, and meetings with diverse stakeholders.

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.

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.