Consultants National Cervical Cancer Elimination

Background:

Cervical cancer continues to be a significant burden of disease in South Africa and has been identified as a national priority for action, with the current burden of HIV prevalence, women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women without HIV. The WHO Global strategy towards eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem, adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2020, recommends a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer prevention and control. The recommended actions include interventions across the life course. The national department of health (NDoH) would like to adapt and develop the national Elimination of Cervical Cancer Strategy adopted from the Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem and its associated goals and targets for the period 2020-2030.

Purpose of the consultancy: WHO is seeking to recruit a consultant for the WHO country office, South Africa, who will be responsible drafting the National Cervical Cancer Elimination strategy, 2023-2030, for the national department of health.

The incumbent will be the technical lead writer.

Objectives of the Programme The objective is to provide support the NDoH: women’s, maternal & reproductive health cluster to develop the National Cervical Cancer Elimination strategic document that will be both credible and achievable for the health sector and wider government. Scope of work Over 4 months, the consultant will be the lead writer and facilitate the development of the cervical cancer elimination strategy 2023-2030 with close collaboration and coordination with all relevant government stakeholders, WHO and other partner organizations, including the following: - Situation analysis: Conduct a comprehensive situation analysis of the current performances of the national women’s, maternal & reproductive health (WMRH) and child clusters responsible and contributing to cervical cancer prevention and management, identifying key issues and challenges to be addressed Map the stakeholders to initiate and maintain engagement throughout the development process Conduct the desk review, write and consolidate findings Identify and collect all existing documents (plans, reports, reviews, assessments, surveys) related to strategy and the health system, including budgeting and financing Process all data, information, and results, analysing, identifying major issues and challenges, summarizing, and consolidating essential information

Prepare the situation analysis report and presentation for final endorsement.

Support the development of priorities, objectives, and strategies: Based on the results of the situation analysis, support the NDoH clusters to engage key stakeholders, and development partners, through dialogue and agreement to: Set realistic and achievable priorities and objectives for the performance of the national cervical cancer strategy up to 2030, guided and aligned with the National Health Plan objectives and strategies, and other key health sector plans Formulate feasible strategies, needed to achieve the selected priorities and objectives with clear identification and agreement of roles and responsibilities across all the different levels of health sector and non-government organizations to deliver the strategies Identify key institutional capacities (systems, processes, and human resources), policies and regulations in the health sector that exist or can feasibly be developed within the strategic period to achieve identified priorities, objectives, and strategies Costing, budgeting, and financing: Work with key stakeholders to define the resources that will be made available to the WMRH and child cluster over the strategic period Help define a sustainable and credible budget in collaborations with the government and other stakeholders M&E framework: Set high-level indicators and milestones needed to keep track of progress towards priorities, objectives and strategies of the cervical cancer elimination 2024-2030

Summary of Assigned Duties The consultant will work in-country to support: Conduct a situational analysis The development of priorities, objectives, and strategies, budgeting, financing, and M&E framework

Drafting the Cervical cancer elimination strategy framework 2024-2030 for submission and endorsement

Requirements and Qualifications Education: Degree in Medicine with a master’s or any postgraduate qualification in SRHR or relevant clinical field, Public Health (or higher)

Experience: Essential: At least five years of progressive experience in SRHR and cervical cancer prevention and management at the national and primary healthcare levels, in health systems of south Africa

Expertise: Good understanding of the South African health system and governance and of the all the clusters and sectors responsible for the prevention and management of cervical cancer and the clinical services Desirable: Prior working experience with WHO, other UN agency, health cluster partners; reproductive, with an international nongovernmental organization with expertise in disaster and health emergencies response.

Skills: Excellent writing skills, ability to work in a team and with multiple stakeholders, leadership, and facilitation skills, working under tight deadlines with minimum supervision, working with WHO/UN or DoH at policy and strategic levels, and excellent presentation skills