International Consultancy - Community Health Systems Strengthening - UNICEF South Sudan

Contract

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• Introduction:

  The Boma Health Initiative (BHI) programme is South Sudan Ministry of Health’s flagship and nationally recognised as a community health strategy to address access to health care at the grassroot level. The initiative gained momentum from its inception and roll out in 2019 seeing a swift initiation of the three (03) phases (Child health, Safe motherhood and communicable diseases) across the 10 States and three (03) Administrative areas. A mid-term BHI evaluation was conducted in 2022 that looked at the progress, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, sustainability, and impact. The survey found out that BHI is effective in addressing the issue of access to health care at the community (Boma) level. Barriers to BHI implementation documented in the report were low levels of education of Boma Health Workers (BHWs),inadequate incentivisation, lack of harmonisations and recognition of efforts of other community health structures including absence of formal transition strategy. The key findings from the evaluation have been highlighted below:

  1. The BHI was noted to be effective in providing healthcare services to people residing in remote and hard-to-reach Bomas of South Sudan.

  2. Improved access to health care services in remote and hard to reach areas.

  3. 95% of the population are making uses of health services rather than resorting to home remedies.

  4. 96% of the population are not only aware of the BHWs but also of the medications and services of pregnant & lactating women provided under BHI program.

  The Midterm Evaluation Report recommended the following;

  The Boma Health Initiative which started in 2019 recently had a Mid-Term Review concluded which had the following Recommendations.

  1.Synergize the efforts of various stakeholders and strengthen multi-sectoral coordination to ensure greater harmonization in BHI implementation through use of common monitoring framework, ensuring alignment between various stakeholders to agree on service packages, standardization of incentives and create opportunities for other community structures such as ICMN-volunteers to be leveraged and harmonized under the BHI implementation; strengthen collaboration between BHI secretariat and other departments of directorate of PHC such as EPI through regular dialogues and involvement in BHI. Existing guidelines can be reviewed to ensure alignment with the implementation and among all partners.

  2.Strengthen capacities in data reporting, monitoring and analysis through use of easy-to-understand job aids, translations of BHI reporting checklists and tools into local languages, regular trainings, and mentorship programmes for BHWs and supervisors. Further the technical capacities at the central level can be enhanced to ensure the national BHI secretariat is supported by other technical specialists with expertise in programme management, data monitoring and analysis; Leverage opportunities such as the use of smartphones for digital reporting. This will also pave the way for future evaluations, which are critical for timely improvements of the programme.

  3.Continued advocacy and technical support for enhancing government funding for BHI implementation BHI partners and donors may continue to advocate for the increased government funding and spending on community health and BHI, using / updating the community health costing and investment case, and the development of an advocacy tool kit for use. Deep-dive analysis of the financial constraints would enrich the potential solutions/opportunities to improve resource allocation. There is also an emerging need to enhance technical capacities of the government must be enhanced for identifying new funding opportunities and leveraging the same. A database of funding streams/ donors funding BHI and the kind of packages and duration of funding must be provided to the BHI secretariat to plan for future gap filling. This will enable the secretariat to understand the overall % coverage (total number of BHWs/ supervisors in the country) and packages being implemented and assess gaps.

  Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

  Under the supervision of the Health Manager in the UNICEF South Sudan Country Office, the purpose of this consultancy will be coordination and working with Technical Working groups, building effective working relationships with BHI stakeholders, data analysis, advocacy, and resources mobilization. He/She will work closely with UNICEF to map and coordinate BHI Response from UNICEF implementing partners and other stakeholders to support the BHI TWG to ensure a unified response is given to the MoH in all matters relating to Boma Health Initiative.

  Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Coordination:
  • Working with the TWG, overseeing the entire project, facilitating key project timelines and ensuring all milestones are met on time.
  • Coordinating inputs from team members and stakeholders, facilitating effective communication.
  2. Stakeholder Relations Manager:
  • Building and maintaining relationships with all stakeholders involved in BHI.
  • Facilitating stakeholder’s alignment with the development of a common monitoring framework.
  • Facilitating regular dialogues and discussions between the BHI secretariat and other departments.
  3. Data Analyst / Data Management Specialist:
  • Developing easy-to-understand job aids and translating BHI checklists into local languages.
  • Implementing regular training and mentorship programs for BHWs and supervisors.
  • Establishing a digital reporting system using smartphones and training staff on how to use it.
  • Monitoring data accuracy and efficiency and making necessary adjustments.
  4. Advocacy and Fundraising Specialist:
  • Developing and implementing an advocacy toolkit to increase government funding for BHI.
  • Conducting an in-depth financial analysis to identify potential funding opportunities.
  • Advocating for increased government funding and spending on community health and BHI.

  Scope of Work:

  The consultant is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities which are performed according to the needs and agenda:

  Strengthening Stakeholder Coordination and Harmonization

  - Revised/update Terms of Reference for the Boma Health Initiative Technical Working Group (TWG)

  - Develop and share action tracker for TWG Meetings

  - Develop an annual workplan for BHI Secretariat for 2024

  - Share progress report TWG Meeting – Minutes of Monthly meeting

  Enhancing Capacities in Data Reporting, Monitoring, and Analysis

  - Draft report of job aids and translated BHI checklists

  - Complete report of job aids and translated BHI checklists - In Arabic

  - Initiation of regular training programs for Implementing Partners to cascade to BHI Workers

  - Mapping of BHI Workers all over south sudan with linkage to facilities with GPS Coordinates. Development of iCHIS tool

  - Development of a Power-BI tool for Community Health updates.

  Advocacy and Support for Enhanced Government Funding

  - Completion of community advocacy toolkit

  - Financial analysis report of various donor investments in Community Health

  - Analysis government funding and

  - Completion of a comprehensive funding database

  Deliverables:

  Strengthening Stakeholder Coordination and Harmonization. Share progress report on the following

  - Revised/updated TOR for the Technical Working Group 1st – 10th Nov (8days) 23%

  - Develop and share action tracker for TWG Meetings 13th -17th November (5days)

  - Develop an annual workplan for BHI Secretariat for 2024 20th Nov – 1st Dec (10 days)

  - Share progress report TWG Meeting – Minutes of Monthly meeting for Nov 2023, January 2024, February 2024, March 2024 and April 2024 4th – 8th Dec (5 days)

  Enhancing Capacities in Data Reporting, Monitoring, and Analysis. Share progress report on the following

  - Draft report of job aids and translated BHI checklists 11th Dec – 22nd Dec (14days) 45%

  -Complete report of job aids and translated BHI checklists - In Arabic 4th – 19th Jan 2024 (14 days)

  - Facilitate TOT training programs for Implementing Partners to cascade to BHI Workers 22nd Jan – 2nd Feb 2024 (10 days)

  - Mapping of BHI Workers all over south sudan with linkage to facilities with GPS Coordinates

  - Development of iCHIS tool 5th Feb – 15th Feb 2024 (10 days)

  - Development of a Power-BI tool for Community Health updates 19th Feb – 1st Mar (10 days)

  Advocacy and Support for Enhanced Government Funding: Share progress report on the following

  - Completion of community advocacy toolkit 4days 4th Mar – 29th Mar (20 days) 23%

  Submission of Progress Report

  - Financial analysis report of various donor investments in Community Health;

  - Analysis government funding and

  - Completion of a comprehensive funding database 1st April – 12th April (10 days)

  Final Report Summary Report Package 15th – 30th April 2023 (12 days) 9%

  Minimum Qualifications required:

  . Advance University degree in one of the following fields is required: public health, paediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, environmental health sciences, biostatistics, socio-medical, health education, epidemiology, or another relevant technical field.

  •A minimum of 8 or more years of relevant professional experience in management, coordination and technical expertise, preferably with a track record of successful Infectious disease program management.

  •Experience in research and community health strengthening, program development in UN system agency or organization is an asset.

  •Experience working in the region is an asset.

  •Diplomacy, conflict management, flexibility, understanding of local cultural and social practices are key success factors for this consultancy.

  A range of specialized skills:

  •Excellent oral and written communication skills and report writing.

  •In-depth analytical and problem-solving skills.

  •Excellent facilitation skills, training skills and ability to organize and implement training.

  •Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and proven interpersonal skills.

  •Experience in building successful relationships with government counterparts, UN agencies, CSOs and other relevant stakeholders.

  •Ability to cope with hardship conditions.

  •Knowledge of computer management skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint software.

ALL applications must be accompanied with detailed technical and financial proposal.

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.