Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of the consultancy is to support and lead the Ministry of Health and the national Obstetric Fistula task team in a technically grounded, consultative and participatory planning process, to include extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders. The substantive outcome will be a costed five-year Strategic Plan for the Elimination of Obstetric Fistula (OFSP) for the period 2018 –2023.

Scope of work:

The consultant will lead and guide the process of developing a five-year strategic plan and work with the MOH and the national task team, stakeholders and partners to facilitate the development of the Strategic Plan. The consultant will conduct the following activities:

• Undertake a review of relevant background documents that underpin work done on fistula in South Sudan and elsewhere to form the context for the development of the OFSP.
• Present an inception report based on a comprehensive desk review of documents relevant to the execution of the assignment; and a methodology/action plan, work plan, and a list of key stakeholders to be engaged.
• Interview fistula patients and key persons in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in general and obstetric fistula in particular. This may include:
  
  • Ministry of Health
  • Ministry of Gender & Social Welfare
  • UNFPA and other development partners
  • International and national NGOs
• Conduct interviews with key informants and focus group discussions with selected stakeholders at the state, county and community levels
•  Facilitate a one-day workshop (I) to validate the findings of the desk review, key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FDGs) and make recommendations for developing the Strategic Plan.
•  Document the outcomes of the one-day workshop (I).
•  Draft a five-year OFSP.
•  Outline and cost strategic actions within the plan required to eliminate fistula in the country, based on the findings from the desk review, key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FDGs), and the outcomes of the validation workshop. Detailed cost estimation for the implementation of the Strategic Plan should be mapped to possible funding options including Government.
• Facilitate the conduct of a 2-day strategic planning workshop (II) with key stakeholders in collaboration with the MOH and other stakeholders to validate the draft strategic plan.
• Finalize and cost the OFSP.

The consultant will be based mainly at the Ministry of Health Directorate of Reproductive Health with some time spent at the UNFPA Country Office in South Sudan. The South Sudan MOH in collaboration with the consultant will develop the draft programmes for each of the workshops entailed in the assignment. The MOH will be involved in identifying key stakeholders, data collection and logistical arrangements for activities related to the assignment.

Duration and working schedule:

The duration of this consultancy will be for 25 working days (5 days per week).

Place where services are to be delivered:

Juba, South Sudan, with visits to selected field locations as deemed necessary for attainment of objectives of the assignment.

Delivery dates:

Reports are to be submitted both electronically and in hard copy by the end of the assignment, with the following timelines:

• Inception report – by end of week 1,
• Interviews and focus group discussions – by end of week 3,
• Validation workshop – in week 3,
• Strategic planning workshop – in week 4,
• Completion and submission of final consultancy report and costed OFSP – by end of week 5.

Monitoring and progress:

The consultant is expected to provide weekly briefing and reports on tasks and assignments undertaken. These reports must be submitted by the last day of the week.

A final report and knowledge transfer note is expected at the end of the assignment.

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative. On a day-to-day basis, he/ she will be required to work in close collaboration with RHCS Specialist, the Reproductive Health-in-Emergency Analyst, the Country Office team and staff at the Reproductive Health Directorate at MOH.

Expected travel:

Arrival date to Juba is 15 June 2018. 

Qualifications and Experience:

The selected consultant must have the following basic educational and professional experience:

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Health, Social Science or other directly relevant field
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience and skills in obstetrics and gynaecology
• Experience in programming, leading strategic planning processes and good     group facilitation skills
• Qualification and experience in social science and or public health.
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English
• Experience in treating and managing obstetric fistula patients will be an advantage

Core Competencies

• Commitment to UNFPA's Values and Guiding Principles;
• Developing People/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment/Performance Management;
• Team Work/Communication/Self-Management
• Strategic Thinking/Results Orientation and Commitment to Excellence/Decision Making;
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning

Functional Competencies

• Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
• Job knowledge/technical expertise
• Adaptation/application of knowledge in different contexts
• Integration in a multidisciplinary environment

How to Apply:

Applicants are kindly requested to send their application to ssco.vacancies@unfpa.org by COB 31 May 2018. Applications received after this date will not be taken into consideration. All applications should be cleared marked with Subject Line “Development of National Obstetrics Fistula Strategy (International Consultant)”.

Applicants will be short-listed on the basis of their qualifications and work experience. Only the short-listed candidates will be invited for interviews.

IMPORTANT: There is NO application processing or other fee at any stage of UNFPA application processes.