Consultant (virtual training on strengthening maternal and perinatal mortality reporting in Health Management Information Systems)

Please see deliverables included in attached ToR

Purpose of Consultancy

The aim of the consultancy is to document the impact of the virtual training on strengthening maternal and perinatal mortality reporting in Health Management Information System (HMIS), based on the 3 objectives of the virtual training- namely:

• Strengthening the capacity of health workers to identify and report all maternal and perinatal deaths
• Strengthening capacity of health workers to correctly assign and code maternal and perinatal deaths
• Strengthening country capacity for analysis of maternal and perinatal death data

The results will be used to formulate strategies to scale up the approach for improved mortality reporting. The activity will take place at Sally Mugabe Central hospital.

Background

Reliable death and cause of death data are essential for shaping national and global health priorities. To end preventable maternal deaths, accurate information on how many women died, where they died and how they died is essential for advocacy, policy dialogue, and implementation of evidence-based policies, strategies, and guidelines to ensure availability, utilization, and quality of maternal and newborn health services and ultimately reduction of preventable maternal and perinatal deaths. That notwithstanding, there is gross underreporting of maternal and perinatal deaths in Zimbabwe. Cause of death attribution and classification for maternal and perinatal deaths is also a major challenge in Zimbabwe. There is need to strengthen maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) systems in Zimbabwe.

Since November 2020, the joint United Nations Maternal and Newborn Health (UN MNH) program in East and Southern Africa held a series of virtual trainings to strengthen maternal and perinatal mortality reporting HMIS. The training targeted 7 countries including Zimbabwe. A set of approaches and tools were shared and applied in selected learning sites for each country. Zimbabwe is one of the countries that consistently applied the learnings at the site of choice, Sally Mugabe Central hospital. There is need to document the impact of the virtual training on

strengthening maternal and perinatal mortality reporting in HMIS at Sally Mugabe Central hospital

Scope of work and methods

1. Document the perceptions of the participants in the learning sites on the appropriateness, applicability, and utility of the virtual training; and how it has impacted maternal and perinatal mortality reporting
2. Review facility data for 2019 and 2020 and document maternal and perinatal deaths using standardised tools provided
3. Interview national level staff involved in the virtual training (Ministry of Health and Child Care-MOHCC, UN and partners) on their experience and plans for scaling up capacity building for improved quality of MPDSR reporting
4. Develop a draft report, including a narrative and graphs illustrating the impact on the virtual training on maternal and perinatal mortality reporting in selected learning sites Validation of report and submission

Deliverables

Consolidated report on impact of the virtual training on Maternal and perinatal mortality reporting at Sally Mugabe Central hospital

Technical Supervision

The consultant will be under the technical supervision of the WHO Representative. He/ she will work with the core team at the learning site and be supervised by Deputy Director Family Health (MOHCC} in consultation with the Facility Obstetrician in Charge and the WCO National Professional Office for Family and Reproductive Health.

Functional Knowledge and Skills Required

• Good understanding of the principles of Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCOD) and International Classification of Diseases-Maternal Mortality/ International Classification of Diseases-Perinatal Mortality (ICD MM/ ICD PM)
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills
• Excellent skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, communication, facilitation, dialogue, coordination, teamwork, writing and reporting

Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, database)

Qualifications

Required: Advanced degree in Medicine, Nursing/ midwifery, Obstetrics and gynaecology, Paediatrics or Public Health

Desired: Master's in public health

Required Experience

• At least 5 years clinical or programming experience in maternal and neonatal health
• Extensive experience {over 5 years) and understanding of Maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response

4. Language

Required: Fluency in spoken and written English

5. Place of Assignment: Harare, Zimbabwe