International Consultancy: Programme Support on SRHR Work in Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Assessments and UHC Roadmap Plans

Hiring Office:

UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office, iSRHR Team 

Purpose of consultancy:

UNFPA in East and Southern Africa has been supporting countries in the region and UNFPA Country offices to ensure that comprehensive sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services are part of the benefit packages for attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 

Although there are many UHC efforts focusing on reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health, a more comprehensive approach would be needed to address the health needs of women and girls by focusing on universal access to comprehensive SRHR services. 

To accelerate progress towards UHC, in particular towards universal SRHR, UNFPA ESARO is supporting countries to improve the readiness and functionality of their primary health care delivery systems by: enhancing the capacity of health workers such as midwives; and, improving availability of reproductive health life-saving commodities.

To improve knowledge, awareness and agency of young people, UNFPA is supporting governments to implement age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) both in-school and outside-of-school settings, and strengthen linkages between CSE and SRHR services.

UNFPA ESARO is looking for an International consultant to support its work related to: progressively situating comprehensive SRHR in UHC; health systems strengthening; and strengthening linkages between adolescent SRHR, including GBV, services and CSE.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

A.         Quality Technical Support to countries for situating SRHR in UHC 

• Technical support to UNFPA COs in developing analytical pieces and advocacy documents by examining the coverage of SRHR services as a part of UHC.
• Work with countries that have developed their UHC roadmap to support operationalization of these plans by ensuring inclusion of comprehensive SRHR as part of UHC roadmaps and interventions.
• Facilitate experience-sharing among countries as countries plan to develop their UHC roadmaps including regional meetings and consultations.
• Support the development of knowledge products and good practices documents to highlight the experience of SRHR in UHC implementation.

B.         Support regional work on SRHR with a focus on midwifery, EmONC and safe motherhood

• Work with Health System Specialist on the development and implementation of post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) project.
• Provide support to countries to improve the status of midwifery.
• Support UNFPA countries’ focal points with UNFPA work on emergency obstetric care including EmONC referral network, EmONC needs assessment among others.

C. Work with comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) Focal point on strengthening CSE and SRHR linkages

• Work with the CSE Regional Focal point in conducting a regional assessment on the current status of in-school and out-of-school CSE services and their linkages to SRHR services.
• Support the regional work on institutionalising the linkages between CSE and SRHR/GBV across different countries in the region including strengthening linkages between CSE and services, and integration of mental health into ASRHR interventions.
• In collaboration with the CSE and Youth Specialist, ensure the scale up of self-care models and self-care for adolescent SRHR.
• Support the dissemination of the regional report on obstetric fistula and disability. 

D. General support to the ISRHR Team 

• Support the integrated SRHR (iSRHR) regional team in different meetings, events and conferences organised by the regional office.
• Contribute to relevant research and publications related to maternal health and sexual and reproductive health.
• Participate in resource mobilisation and partnership efforts as required.
• Undertake any other duties as identified by the supervisor.

Duration and working schedule:

The consultancy will last for a duration of 6 months from 1st of February 2024 to 31st of July 2024 with a possibility of renewal.

Place where services are to be delivered:

This will be an in-person consultancy. The consultant will be mandatorily expected to work from the ESARO Office premises for at least 10 days each month. The consultant will not be paid DSA during the course of the consultancy unless they are required to undertake mission travel outside Johannesburg as part of the consultancy.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

At the start of the consultancy, the consultant will be expected to develop a work plan with clear deliverables and timelines in collaboration with the relevant focal points. The work will be delivered electronically, in hard copy, and in various media formats as needed.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The consultant will be expected to attend iSRHR team meetings and ESARO programme meetings in addition to ad hoc meetings, when needed.

A performance schedule will be developed with the consultant which will be reviewed at the half-way mark and at the end of the consultancy.

Supervisory arrangements: 

The consultant will be hired under the overall guidance of the Coordinator of the integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health Team and under direct supervision of the Regional Health System Specialist.

Expected travel:

Some mission travel will be expected. The consultant will receive an economy class ticket when they start their work and join the regional office.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

• A Master’s degree in Medicine, public health or related fields with specialised knowledge in the field of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in development and/or humanitarian work in SRHR with experience in UHC, maternal health and SRHR for young people. Prior experience in developing countries is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience of maternal health including prevention and management of post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) and ‘SRHR in UHC’ is required
• Previous experience in working on SRHR for young people 
• Experience in delivering technical assistance to countries is required.
• Proven ability to work well in teams is an asset
• Fluency in English is required. Other UN languages are an added advantage
• Ability to write clearly and concisely is requireds 
• Initiative, sound judgement and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members from different national and cultural backgrounds is an asset.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

As required, ESARO will provide the consultant with a working space including desk, phone and computer/laptop.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training) or other fee, or request information on applicants' bank accounts or HIV status. 

UNFPA will only respond to those applicants in whom the Regional Office has further interest.