Terms of Reference (ToR)
Consultant-Technical Specialist (Maternal Health), Odisha
Engagement Type: Consultant (Part-time)
Location: Hybrid work (combination of remote work and in-person engagement at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, as required). The person would be based at Bhubaneswar as location of work
Assignment Period: Consultancy spread over Contract Start date to 31st December 2026 for a period of 10 to 15 days spread across the two months (Further extension is subject to the requirement, performance and fund availability).
1. Organisational Background
People's Rural Education Movement (PREM) [www.prem.org.in] is a secular, humanitarian, non-political, and non-governmental organisation working with Adivasi, Dalit, fisherfolk, and other marginalized communities across Odisha and other parts of India. PREM works closely with government departments and development partners to strengthen governance systems, promote inclusive development, and advance evidence-based policymaking.
As part of its partnership with UNFPA, PREM has been actively engaged in initiatives addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights, physical, emotional, social and cognitive development of Adolescent & Youth, women's empowerment, demographic challenges, and social development.
2. Context and Rationale:
The Technical Specialist (Maternal Health) will bridge high-level policy formulation and field-level clinical implementation. The specialist will provide expert technical guidance to institutionalize evidence-based clinical protocols (e.g., postpartum hemorrhage management, pre-eclampsia management, active management of third stage of labor) across district and sub-district facilities. Support Quality Certifications: Drive quality assurance benchmarks under national guidelines (LaQshya, SUMAN, and NQAS) to raise the standard of labor rooms, operation theaters, and maternity ICUs. Technical Assistance to State & District Health Missions: Direct consultation with the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha, and the National Health Mission (NHM) to design and evaluate state-specific maternal health strategies. Analyzing Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) data to identify clinical and systemic causes of maternal mortality, informing targeted policy shifts and emergency response protocols. Technical leadership in designing robust identification, tracking, and referral pathways for high-risk pregnant women, particularly in hard-to-reach and tribal pockets, Integration with Anemia Mukt Bharat: Coordination across nutrition and healthcare sectors to lower the high prevalence of maternal anemia through preventive and therapeutic protocols, Strengthening Emergency Referral & Continuum of Care, Assisting state administration in ensuring First Referral Units (FRUs) are fully operational with required blood storage facility units, emergency drugs, and trained clinical teams, Strengthening the operational efficiency of emergency transport systems (108/102 ambulances) and front-line health worker networks (ASHAs and ANMs) to reduce delay in seeking, reaching, and receiving care.
3. Objective of the Consultancy:
The Consultant will report to the President, PREM and will work in close coordination with the State Head, UNFPA Odisha office and Director of family Welfare , Odisha. The overall purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and programme support for strengthening systems to reduce the preventable Maternal Deaths and MMR in the state of Odisha , including planning, implementation, coordination, capacity building, monitoring, documentation and knowledge management.
The key objectives are to:
1. Technical Guidance & Capacity Building: Providing technical support in training Obstetricians, Gynecologists, and Medical Officers at First Referral Units (FRUs), higher-level facilities, and delivery points on evidence-based maternal and newborn health practices and protocols in labor rooms.
2. Quality Improvement & Protocol Compliance: Conducting field visits to focus districts to facilitate strict adherence to standard protocols during Antenatal, Intranatal, and Postnatal care, as well as orienting labor room in-charges and service providers.
3. Policy & Resource Material Development: Providing technical inputs to develop posters, protocols, and strategic resource products aligned with Government of India guidelines.
4. Surveillance & Analysis: Assisting in the technical analysis of Maternal Death Surveillance records gathered from state maternal death reviews.
5. Midwifery & Family Planning Integration: Offering strategic technical inputs for midwifery-related interventions (planning, training, resource development) and supporting state and district-level training for Family Planning and maternal health consultants.
4. Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities:
The broad scope of work and responsibilities, amongst others, include the following:
Technical Support in Maternal Health:
a) Provide technical support in the training of the Obstetricians and Gynaecologist of the First referral units and higher-level facilities on maternal health protocols
b) Provide technical support to the analysis of the Maternal Death Surveillance records collected through review of the maternal deaths in the State
c) Provide technical inputs in the development of posters and protocols based on the Government of India guidelines
d) Provide technical support in the training of the medical officers of the delivery points virtually on evidence based maternal health practices in the labour room
e) To provide technical support in the Family Planning and maternal health consultant trainings at the State and District level
f) Undertake field visits to the focus districts and facilitate the adherence of the standard protocols in the Antenatal, Intranatal and Postnatal care
g) Orient the labour room in charges and service providers in the labour room on the evidence-based practices in maternal and newborn health through virtual means.
h) Provide technical inputs in midwifery related interventions which include strategic planning, training, and resource products.
i) Provide support for any innovations or new activities as per newly developed SUMAN 2030 Odisha Roadmap.
5. Consultancy Fees:
PREM shall pay a consolidated Consultancy Fees of INR. 7000/- to INR. 10, 000/- (Negotiable) per day in consideration for the timely and satisfactory performance of the services against the Consultant invoice &, time sheet/ activity report approved by the designated authority, subject to deduction of TDS as applicable.
For any official travel (if required), PREM will additionally reimburse Travel, Accommodation and DSA as per the travel policy against submission of claims, original invoices and field visit report. The consultant should be willing for minimum 5 to 10 days travel in each month.
6. Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Post-graduation in Obstetrics and Gynaecology having at least 12 years of predominant experience in service delivery and training.
Working experience and/or familiarity with the Government Health system will be preferred. Knowledge of issues related to the quality of MH and FP programmes in the state of Odisha.
Languages:
Fluency in English is necessary. Working knowledge of Odia is desirable
7. Safeguarding and Ethical Considerations
The Consultant will be required to comply with all applicable organisational policies and standards relating to child/adolescent safeguarding, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, prevention of harassment, confidentiality, data protection, gender equality and non-discrimination.
8. Application Process:
Interested candidates are requested to send the latest resume and a one-page cover letter explaining suitability for this position to: premoffice.hr@gmail.com latest by 23:59 Hrs of 12th November 2026 with the subject line in the email “Application for Consultant-Technical Specialist (Maternal Health), Odisha ”.