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Midwife Leaders’ Executive Sponsorship Programme 

ICM

The Midwife Leaders’ Executive Sponsorship Programme pairs executive sponsors with existing or emerging midwife leaders, providing participants with valuable guidance, opportunities for growth, and reciprocal learning experiences. The programme includes key components such as mentorship, networking, career advancement opportunities, skill development, and succession planning. 

Participants will benefit from the knowledge and experience of senior executives who serve as sponsors in the same or similar healthcare settings (e.g. the same country or local region), gaining opportunities to network and access new leadership activities. This initiative not only supports the professional development of midwife leaders but also enhances the leadership skills and visibility of the executive sponsors. 

Executive sponsors will gain insights into emerging talent and contribute to the long-term success of their organisation and the broader maternal healthcare system. By investing in the development of midwife leaders, sponsors help ensure a pipeline of talent to fill critical leadership roles in the future. 

Below, you can learn more about each type of opportunity and apply directly through the relevant form.

Download the brochure

Learn More and Apply

ICM invites all its member associations, health system leaders, and organisations where midwife leaders work to participate in this new programme. Your involvement will be instrumental in advancing midwifery leadership and improving maternal and newborn health outcomes. 

Closing date for applications: 17 May 2025 

Program Launch: 30 June 2025 

Become an Executive Sponsor

The Midwife Leaders’ Executive Sponsorship Programme provides a unique opportunity for senior healthcare leaders to support the development of midwifery leadership. Through this Programme, executive sponsors mentor, advocate for and guide emerging midwife leaders, strengthening the future of midwifery leadership and supporting succession planning for organisations.   

Role of an Executive Sponsor 

As an executive sponsor, you will: 

  • Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to a midwife leader. 
  • Facilitate networking and exposure to high-level professional environments. 
  • Offer professional insights into leadership approaches and the maternal health agenda, particularly into areas of identified growth for the sponsee.
  • Commit to a 24-month engagement with regular meetings and check-ins. 

Who Can Apply to be an Executive Sponsor? 

Ideal candidates are: 

  • Senior leaders at an executive or ministerial level working in midwifery or maternal healthcare.
  • Individuals with experience in leadership, mentorship, and advocacy. 
  • Committed to supporting midwifery leadership development. 
  • Willing to dedicate time for bi-monthly meetings with their sponsee and twice annual programme check-ins. 

Benefits of Being an Executive Sponsor 

  • Leadership Development: Enhance your mentorship, coaching, and advocacy skills. 
  • Networking Opportunities: Engage with emerging midwifery leaders. 
  • Organisational Impact: Contribute to strengthening midwifery leadership within your own organisation and beyond. 
  • Reciprocal Learning: Gain fresh perspectives and insights from emerging midwife leaders. 
  • Recognition: Be acknowledged for your contributions to professional development and midwifery advancement. 
  • Strengthen the maternal health landscape: Ensuring improved experiences for midwives and better outcomes for women and families.

 Programme Components 

  1. Selection & Matching: Executive sponsors will be paired with a sponsee aligned to their joint expertise, interests, and professional development goals. 
  2. Goal Setting & Development Planning: Sponsors and sponsees will collaboratively establish career development goals. 
  3. Regular Meetings & Check-ins: Bi- Monthly (every other month) one-on-one meetings and twice yearly programme check-ins. 
  4. Evaluation & Feedback: Mid and end-point evaluations to track personal progress and programme impact . 

Application Process 

  1. Complete the online self-nomination form. This will include uploading a short biography, a recent copy of your CV, and outlining your current areas of expertise and interest.  
  2. ICM will review all submissions and, where suitable, match you with an emerging midwifery leader in your country or region.  
  3. A launch event will be held on Monday 30 June 2025.

Key Dates 

  • Nomination Deadline: 17 May 2025 
  • Programme Commencement: 30 June 2025 
  • Programme Conclusion: June 2027 

For further information or inquiries, please contact: [email protected] 

Submit self-nomination

Become a Sponsee

The Midwife Leaders’ Executive Sponsorship Programme is an exciting opportunity designed to support emerging and established midwife leaders (sponsees) by connecting them with executive sponsors. This programme aims to support your growth as a midwifery leader, strengthen midwifery networks, and enhance professional development. This is a 24-month sponsorship programme.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

  • Be a qualified midwife and a member of an ICM member association (MA).
  • Have discussed their application with their MA and obtain a letter of support, which will need to be uploaded to the application form.
  • Demonstrate leadership potential and already have experience of mid-career midwifery leadership. This could be in practice, education, research, policy, ministry or association.
  • Demonstrate commitment to continued professional development (e.g. undertaking additional courses, further education and/or the attendance at conferences).
  • Be committed to advancing midwifery leadership and advocating for midwifery services.
  • Have the ability to commit to a two-year engagement with their assigned sponsor.

Benefits of Participation

  • Mentorship & Guidance: Receive support and advice from experienced executive leaders.
  • Networking Opportunities: Gain access to high-level professional networks.
  • Skill Development: Enhance leadership, advocacy, communication, and strategic thinking skills through targeted support.

Programme Steps

  1. Selection & Matching: Applicants will be selected based on leadership potential and matched with a suitable executive sponsor.
  2. Goal Setting & Development Planning: Sponsees and sponsors will collaboratively set leadership goals and create a professional development plan.
  3. Regular Meetings & Check-ins: Bi-monthly meetings with sponsors.
  4. ICM Midwife Advisor point of contact for support if required.
  5. Evaluation & Feedback: Mid and end-point evaluations to track progress and the personal impact of the programme.

Application Process

  • Step 1: Discuss your proposed application with your MA and obtain letter of support.
  • Step 2: Complete the online application form which will include your current role, leadership experience and any previous professional development.
  • Step 3: The ICM team will review applications. Selected sponsees will be paired with an appropriate executive sponsor and invited to a launch event in June.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 17 May 2025
  • Programme Commencement: 30 June 2025
  • Programme Conclusion: June 2027
Apply now