Midwife

Afghan Midwives Association (AMA) is one of the strongest professional associations in Afghanistan.

AMA, as a membership-based association established in May 2005 with the support of the USAID-funded Health Services Support Project (HSSP), soon became a member of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM). AMA is advocating for a strong midwifery profession, well-trained and empowered midwives, and is working to strengthen the role of midwives so that quality midwifery care is provided to women, newborns, and their families in Afghanistan.

The AMA is a midwifery-led, national non- governmental organization whose primary purpose is to build the capacity of midwives and increase access to quality midwifery services through various approaches, including advocacy, partnership, and implementing appropriate programs

Increased membership and partnership support have steadily expanded AMA activities and its role as a professional body to raise awareness for safe motherhood and improve the quality of midwifery education and health service provision. AMA started with only 80 members in 2005, and now, it is known as one of the strongest and biggest professional associations in Afghanistan with more than 3500 members from 34 provinces.

 Plan, organize, implement, and evaluate midwifery activities within the assigned MLU, in accordance with AMA values, policies, procedures, clinical protocols, and MLU standards, to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, respectful, and continuous maternal and newborn care. Provide skilled midwifery services to mothers and newborns within the defined scope of MLU services, while ensuring effective communication, teamwork, timely identification of complications, appropriate referral, and coordination with linked referral hospitals. Support health education, counselling, community engagement, accurate documentation, and continuous improvement of the quality of care.

Key Accountabilities:

Midwives provide advice, care and support for women and their partners and families before, during and after childbirth. They help women make their own decisions about the care and services they access. They care for newborn children, providing health education and parenting support for the first 28 days. Midwives are personally responsible for the health of both mother and child and only refer to obstetricians if there is any complication.

The responsibilities of the midwife are to:

ü  Adhere to AMA values, policies, procedures, and relevant PPHD guidelines

ü  Provide respectful and comprehensive midwifery care during pregnancy, labour, childbirth, and the postpartum period

ü  Conduct normal vaginal deliveries safely and independently and provide appropriate management of the third stage of labour

ü  Monitor labour progress, including maternal vital signs, fetal heart rate, and other necessary assessments, and document findings using the Partograph

ü  Identify high-risk pregnancies and emergency cases, provide initial management and stabilization, and arrange timely referral to the appropriate health facility

ü  Provide essential newborn care, including APGAR assessment, weighing, monitoring vital signs, Vitamin K administration, eye prophylaxis, and identification of newborn danger signs

ü  Provide routine postpartum care and support early initiation and continuation of breastfeeding

ü  Provide ANC, PNC, family planning, and other essential reproductive health services

ü  Conduct approved rapid diagnostic tests and provide appropriate care or referral based on the results

ü  Provide health education and counselling on breastfeeding, IYCF, nutrition, hygiene, family planning, newborn care, danger signs, and birth preparedness

ü  Identify psycho social concerns and facilitate referral to appropriate services

ü  Maintain accurate and confidential clinical records, including ANC/PNC cards, Partograph, Birth Register and referral documentation

ü  Ensure privacy, confidentiality, dignity, and respectful maternity care for all clients

ü  Follow infection prevention and control and other clinical safety standards

ü  Participate in training, mentorship, quality improvement activities, and other professional development opportunities

ü  Provide regular feedback to the Midwife Supervisor and report any serious incident or concern promptly

ü  Participate in 24/7 maternity services, including night, weekend, and on-call duties as required

ü  Perform any other duties assigned by the line manager within the scope of the position

ü  Registered Midwife with a valid professional certificate/licence and a Diploma in Midwifery; a Bachelor’s degree in Midwifery is preferred

ü  Minimum 5 years of relevant experience preferred.

ü  Strong clinical skills in maternal and newborn health and emergency obstetric care.

ü  Good communication skills in Dari and/or Pashto; written English is an advantage.

ü  Ability and willingness to work in remote and hard-to-reach areas of Takhar Province.

ü  Preference may be given to qualified candidates from the targeted communities.

ü  Strong commitment to midwifery, AMA values, teamwork, and quality care.

Core Competencies

ü  Commitment to AMA Values

ü  Clinical competence and patient safety

ü  Respectful and compassionate care

ü  Communication and teamwork

ü  Planning and organization

ü  Problem-solving and decision-making

ü  Cultural awareness and flexibility

ü  Accountability and results orientation

ü  Service orientation