PURPOSE:
Strengthening Midwifery Education and Practice in Somalia (SMEPS) was a 5-year project that aimed to reduce maternal mortality by addressing the critical shortage of skilled midwives in Somalia, Somaliland and Puntland through enhancement of midwifery education and practice, regulation and association strengthening. Somaliland was selected for a pilot support supervision project with Somaliland Nursing and Midwifery Association (SLNMA) playing a key role. The pilot aimed to enhance the quality of midwifery training and practice by providing constructive feedback, mentorship and resources to educators.

DISCUSSION:
The project was supported by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by UNFPA and the Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM). The Midwifery Program at University of British Columbia (UBC) contributed as educational experts, collaboratively improving the midwifery curriculum and leading workshops for tutors and midwives teaching new concepts from the updated curriculum. There is little professional development resulting in the need to update skills and teaching methods. Therefore, the final phase of the project was a supportive supervision element to strengthen accountability and enhance teaching of the revised curriculum.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
This approach to supervision promotes mentorship and continuous improvement and is generally better received than traditional monitoring and evaluation methods (Marquez et al.; 2002; Bogren et al., 2021). We offered workshops for midwifery tutors and clinical instructors to explain benefits and process of supportive supervision. We developed and tested guides and checklists with the steering committee and supportive supervisors to track use of evidence-based methods and content in teaching.

KEY MESSAGE:
UBC and CAM provided support for the steering committee whose members orientated supervisors to conduct observation visits. They identified skill gaps and provided training in teaching methodologies and respectful maternity care. The pilot proved the approach is feasible and effective. It additionally helped with implementation of the revised midwifery program and identified gaps needing mentorship-focussed support. Education faculty development 2