Expression of Interest  Essential Competencies for Midwife Leaders: Working Group 

Background  

Midwife leaders provide vision and direction that are essential in navigating the challenges that healthcare systems and the midwifery profession face. They drive positive change for the improvement of the profession and the status of midwives. Midwife leaders are critical supporters and advocates of high quality, safe and personal midwifery care. To support their development, investment in midwifery leadership competencies is essential in supporting strategic decision-making, developing strategic alliances with midwifery champions and developing interprofessional collaborations (1). Leadership competencies assist in understanding the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours of a midwife leader and the competencies expected in their job, the behaviours they should demonstrate, and the steps needed to enhance their expertise.  

Purpose 

ICM is developing Essential Competencies for Midwife Leaders and is bringing together key stakeholders to form a working group to develop them. The purpose of this group is to develop leadership competencies for midwife leaders working in positions such as, political strategic, operational, regulatory, education, research, and clinical leadership roles. The working group will meet monthly, online from July and conclude this work by December 2025. 

How to apply 

If you have experience in developing competencies, or experience of working as a midwife leader in a formal leadership role, you are invited to express your interest in joining the working group by the 08 June 2025. To express your interest, please submit your cover letter (no longer than 500 words) and CV, stating why you would like to join this working group to [email protected]. Please state “Working Group Essential Competencies” in the subject line. 

Please note that all communications will be in English, and group members are expected have excellent spoken English skills.