Consultancy: Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3 Plus)Health Facility Assessment

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Johannesburg Job Family: Education Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 11-July-2022 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- UNESCO in partnership with Higher Health is seeking the services of a National Consultant to conduct Health Facility Assessments across 2 higher and tertiary education institutions (HTEIs) in SA. **Background and Context** **Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3 Plus)** project seeks to ensure that young people in higher and tertiary education institutions (HTEIs) in Eastern and Southern Africa, including South Africa realize positive health, education and gender equality outcomes through sustained reductions in new HIV infections, unintended pregnancy and sexual and gender-based violence. The project will thus enable them to reach their full educational potential and contribute more effectively to the development of their countries and region as graduates, professionals and young leaders. With support from UNESCO the project is envisaged to implemented across 2 Higher and Tertiary Education institutions (HTEIs) in South Africa in 2022. Working closely with relevant regional structures, national ministries, higher and tertiary education institutions, Higher Health and key partners, UNESCO will support innovation in access to Life Skills Based Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for HTEI students while advocating for policy and practice changes to make campuses safe and inclusive learning environments for students and staff. In doing so, the project will institutionalize health and well-being programs for students while engaging leadership for long-term commitment and sustainability. The work will be delivered through four complementary pillars or work streams as follows: institutional strengthening for sustainability; student health and well-being; safe and inclusive campus environments; and evidence building and knowledge sharing platform. Long Description ---------------- Under the student health and wellbeing work stream, UNESCO is commissioning a health facility assessment study across the 2 HTEIs in order to collect comprehensive information on health service delivery for young people in line with existing international youth friendly services (YFS) guidelines and standards, and make recommendations for investments required for the health facilities to be fully functional and deliver services effectively. **Scope of the Health Facility Assessments** The Health Facility Assessments (HFAs) will be conducted across 2 HTEIs in South Africa . The Consultant is expected to develop data collection tools in line with the methodology under section 4 below (Methodology), as well as update the existing Facility Observation Tool, which will be provided by UNESCO as necessary. **Research Questions** What are the existing youth friendly health services (YFHS) guidelines, standards and policies in South Africa? How do the guidelines, standards and policies align with international guidelines i.e. WHO Global Standards for Quality Healthcare Services for Adolescents and Youth? Is delivery of health care services at health facilities in tertiary institutions in-line with the guidelines, standards and policies? What type of services are offered at health facilities in HTEIs, and what is the quality of these services as per the existing standards and guidelines? Do the health facilities have the necessary resources i.e. infrastructure, human capacity, financial etc to ensure effective service provision? Are there any guidelines or minimum standards for infrastructure of health facilities in tertiary institutions? Which ministry is responsible for the administration of health facilities in HTEIs? Is there clear ownership and linkages of the health facilities in HTEIs with district, provincial and national level Ministry of Health and Child Care? What are the major sources of funding for the HTEIs? Long Description ---------------- What are the perspectives of health providers on health service delivery for young people in HTEIs? What are perspectives of young people in HTEIs on the health services provided at the health facilities? What factors enable or hinder young people’s access to health services at the health facilities in HTEIs? How can the health facilities be improved/strengthened to ensure effective health service provision to young people? What resources or capacities are required i.e. infrastructure, equipment, human resources, training etc.? **Methodology** The HFAs will use a combination of methods, where primary data collection will be in-person and virtually where feasible. The Consultant is therefore expected to adhere strictly to national guidelines and regulations on COVID19 during in-person data collection. The proposed data collection methods include, but are not limited to the following: - **Desk Review** of relevant literature including policies and guidelines such as WHO Global Standards for Quality Healthcare Services for Adolescents and Youth; reports on researches, evaluations, assessments or reviews on youth friendly health service delivery, reports on health facility assessments, as well as relevant government policy, strategy, guidance documents, etc - **Observation and administration of facility observation checklist/tool** to assess the following: availability of medication, type of equipment, infrastructure etc Long Description ---------------- - **In-depth interviews** with representatives from Ministry of HTEI, Ministry of Health and Child Care, and CSOs that are active in relation to health and wellbeing in HTEIs, to understand more about the ownership of HTEI health facilities; any existing guidelines or minimum standards for infrastructure of health facilities in tertiary institutions; funding from both Treasury and the ministries, key barriers/challenges to service provisions, and recommendations for strengthening health service provision for young people in health facilities in tertiary institutions - **In-depth interviews** with health care service providers at the health facilities to examine operational realities, assess service provision and capacity related issues; examine perspectives on health service delivery for young people, and identify areas for improvement to strengthen service provision - **Focus Group Discussions** with young people, including young people with disabilities, HIV and from the LGBTIQ community, to assess knowledge and use of services; determine factors that enable or hinder access to the health services; examine expectations in relation to delivery of services at the health facilities, and recommendations for improvement - **In-depth interviews** with young people, including young people with disability, HIV and from the LGBTIQ community, who have used the health facility to assess knowledge and use of services, examine experiences, and satisfaction with services received. Emphasis will be on young people who would have immediately used the health facility (client exit interviews). **Ethical Clearance** The Consultant is expected to obtain ethical clearance from relevant authorities prior to commencement of data collection. Costs related to the ethical clearance are the responsibility of the Consultant. **Duration** It is expected that the Health Facility Assessments will be conducted for an estimated duration of 12 weeks post contractual agreement with the appointed Consultant. **Deliverables** **Research Protocol** submitted to UNESCO and Higher Health 7 days after the inception meeting. The research protocol to outline the research questions; methodology; data collection tools, data management and analysis plan, data quality assurance plan, ethical considerations, etc **Draft report** submitted to UNESCO and Higher Health 8 weeks post inception meeting. The report will also be presented to UNESCO and key stakeholders, at a virtual validation workshop on the agreed upon date. The Consultant will facilitate this workshop aimed at discussing preliminary findings and conclusions. **Final report,** which incorporates comments from the validation workshops**,** will be submitted to UNESCO and Higher Health a week post the validation workshop**.** The proposed structure for the report is as follows: Executive Summary; Project description; Objectives and Research questions; Methodology; Findings; Recommendations; conclusions; Annexes and a **PowerPoint presentation** sumarising the final report. **Activities** Inception Meeting with UNESCO, Higher Health, the HEIs and other stakeholders 1 week after contract initiation Data collection, analysis and compilation of draft report: 8 Weeks post inception meeting Validation workshops of findings 2 weeks after Draft Report Revise draft report and compile final report incorporating feedback from the validation workshop: 1 Week after validation workshop **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- **National Consultant (Team Leader)** Master’s Degree in any of the following fields: Public Health, Social Sciences, or other related studies; a PhD will be an added advantage At least five years’ experience working in the field of adolescents and young people’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programmes within the country Experience conducting participatory, qualitative assessments, supported by at least 3 references Experience conducting health facility assessments, supported by at least 2 references within the country or region Desirable Previous experience working with the UN on similar or related assignments Previous experience in working with HTEIs on related work. **Lead Research Assistant** --------------------------- Mandatory Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following fields: Public Health, Social Sciences, or other related studies; a Master’s Degree will be an added advantage Aged between 22 and 35 years At least two years’ experience working/ volunteering in the field of adolescents and young people’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programmes Experience in conducting participatory, qualitative assessments supported by at least 2 references Desirable Previous experience working with the UN on similar or related assignments Previous experience working in HTEIs or other similar institutions Evaluation of Proposals ----------------------- **Evaluation of proposals** All interested Consultants are required to submit a Technical and Financial proposal separately via email. The **technical proposal** should be no more than 10 pages, to include: Approach to assignment that demonstrates extent to which the Consultant understands the requirements as set out in TOR Feasible and technically sound methodology Realistic work plan with specific treatment of key deliverables and priorities, and distribution of tasks among team members Expertise, experience and qualifications of the Team leader The **financial proposal** should be no more than 4 pages and should detail the following: An appropriate Price Schedule which includes, as a minimum, the consultancy rate per day, and number of workdays per main activity in order to assist the Contracting Unit to determine, which items may be negotiated, if applicable, or which items can be modified as per the budget. All prices shall be quoted in ZAR. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States ([last update here](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution)) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. **HOW TO APPLY** ---------------- Interested firm/institution may submit in two phases; a) through Success Factor: CV of team leader; b) Cover letter, Company Profile, CVs of the Team Members, Technical Proposal with methodology (between 5-10 pages) and the Budget/Financial Proposal to