International consultancy Knowledge Management and Research Consultant( For Non- South Sudanese)

Contract

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Background/Rationale for the Assignment South Sudan’s Child mortality and morbidity rates are high: under‐five mortality is 91 per 1,000 live births while neonatal mortality is 39 per 1,000 births; child malnutrition is severe, with underweight prevalence at 23 percent of children (UNICEF, 2016). Maternal mortality is among the highest in the world, estimated at 789 per 100,000 births. Endemic diseases pose a heavy burden, particularly malaria, which accounts for 20–40 percent of all health facility visits. The health care system particularly in Jonglei and Upper Nile State is extremely stretched: only about 40 percent of the population can access health care within a 5‐kilometer radius. Life expectancy of 56 years is low.

In response to this situation, since 2019, UNICEF is implementing a World Bank-funded Project including the preparedness and deployment of vaccines in South Sudan, delivery of essential health services in the states of Upper Nile and Jonglei States, while developing Government capacity for health sector stewardship. The project entered another phase (March 2021 – 2024) with a clear commitment from all parties to boost the implementation and achieve better results and beyond.

The coverage for most RMNCAH services in the country remains low with facility-based deliveries at 21%, low ANC fourth visit rates and post-natal care. Family planning remains as well quite low while the child mortality indicators are as well high. There is still poor vaccination rates with malnutrition remaining a huge concern in the country. Several barriers to health care range from insecurity, inadequate health facilities, terrain, flooding and low health workforce with disproportionate distribution from urban to rural.

During the last semester of 2021, the health section has registered a high turnover among the critical staff and several positions are currently vacant, while at the same time, the health section has registered and increased workload with UNICEF as the Principal recipient for the Global Fund (GF) Malaria Grant which started officially on 1st October 2021 as well as the urgent need to accelerate / intensify the implementation of the current World Bank – funded project in Jonglei and Upper Nile that has received additional funding of over USD 180 million for 2 more years ending in 2024 .

Over the course of the project, the partners have pursued an ambitious knowledge management agenda, documenting achievements, innovative approaches, and lessons learned. This has included novel data collection and analysis approaches to overcome the data challenges inherent in a complex humanitarian crisis, and generating an evidence base that has successfully informed policy and strategy level decision-making among the national authorities and the UN partners in-country. The agenda so far has focused mainly on functionality, availability, and access of services in the health and nutrition sectors, but opportunities for the WASH program have also been identified.

There is currently a push to conduct, finalize, and disseminate Knowledge Management products that capture the achievements of the project and provide recommendations for policy and programming in South Sudan and similar contexts. In addition, knowledge management and related information will help to inform future projects when the current project undertakings end. The design of follow on activity implementation will benefit from evidence-based recommendations coming out of the current experience. Dedicated expertise to distil and present these lessons is therefore needed.

Purpose/task & Expected Deliverables The purpose of this assignment is to take lead on knowledge management and research work in relation to Health Section’s implementation of various activities, learning/documentation of lessons learned and risk mitigation on various projects in the country including but not limited to the World Bank’s funded COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Response Project (CERHSRP) in Jonglei and Upper Nile State) and the Global Fund Project under the supervision of the Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist.

Over the course of the project, the partners have pursued an ambitious knowledge management agenda, documenting achievements, innovative approaches, and lessons learned. This has included novel data collection and analysis approaches to overcome the data challenges inherent in a complex humanitarian crisis, and generating an evidence base that has successfully informed policy and strategy level decision-making among the national authorities and the UN partners in-country. The agenda so far has focused mainly on functionality, availability, and access of services in the health sector, but opportunities for the Nutrition, Social and Behavioral Change, WASH, Supply and other programs can also be identified.

Tasks and Deliverables Under the direct supervision of the Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, the Consultant will be based in Juba (the duty station) and conduct the following tasks: • Advance the Knowledge Management Agenda of different projects, working in close coordination with: World Bank, GF and WHO Unicef: WB and GF core teams, broader health, nutrition, WASH, and PME units MoH, state, county health departments , health facilities and Boma Health workers (BHI) Third Party Monitoring (TPM) agencies Implementing partners

• Develop the health Knowledge Management plan with inputs from different stakeholders • Work on formulating and driving the different types of analysis to be conducted by the partnership using different datasets. This will include: Review and analysis of TPM monitoring reports, internal M&E data and other sources. Correlate service functionality, availability, and utilization.

• Lead the drafting and finalization of publications, papers, articles, guidelines and manuals. • Provide the analysis needed for evidence-based decision making with regard to project interventions in coordination with partners and counterparts. • Review and make suggestions for improvements to data collection tools; provide technical advice on how to adapt the tools to better serve the data needs of the project. • Conduct editing and proofreading of documents, prepare presentations, etc. • Contribute to the health, analytical and knowledge management capacity building of the project team and other associated UNICEF technical staff • Assist in preparation / coordination for Health section events, missions, and reports. • Provide support to the project Management as required • Generate and provide analyses and evidence needed to inform the design of the new project, to be designed in 2021.

No Deliverables Key minimum issues expected to be included within the deliverables Due Dates 1. Inception Report • Agreed work plan / Implementation Schedule • Knowledge management topics including methodologies and approach to each assigned scope of work (a minimum of 3 topics/themes of study to be included and not limited to Quality of Care, Utilization trends and system shocks, Scenario planning, Theories of Change), key information sources etc • Agreed budget and breakdown 30th September 2022 1st Instalment 2a Literature Review

• Literature review on a minimum of 3 Knowledge management agreed topics/themes of study to be included and not limited to Quality of Care, Utilization trends and system shocks, Scenario planning, Theories of Change) 30th October, 2022

2nd Instalment

2b Final Knowledge Management Tools

• Fully developed and pre-tested Questionnaires/tools of different target groups covering all key agreed questions to be used as part of data collection (one questionnaire per agreed topic)

2c Final List of agreed key information sources, key informants/respondents etc per topic • Final List of agreed key information sources, key informants/respondents etc per topic in South Sudan as well as Upper Nile, Jonglei and GPAA among other states/AAs 3a Preliminary datasets and data collected • Key preliminary datasets, raw collected data and preliminary analysis on a minimum of 3 topics 30th March 2023 3rd instalment

3b Final datasets and analysis of collected data • Key final datasets on collected raw data and final analysis on a minimum of 3 topics 4a Preliminary Reports / papers • A preliminary report on each of 3 or more identified topics responding to all KM key questions and additional comments from reviewers • A minimum of 3 papers for publication on agreed Topic(s) TBD incorporating/with responses to comments from reviewers (any additional papers, articles, guidelines and manuals may be required/produced) • Results disaggregated by interest groups, administrative areas, gender, refugees and host communities among others as applicable 30th May 2023 4th instalment 4b Final Reports /papers • A final report on each of 3 or more identified topics responding to all key questions and final comments from reviewers • A minimum of 3 papers ready for publication on agreed Topic(s) TBD incorporating/with final responses to comments from reviewers (any additional papers, articles, guidelines and manuals may be required/produced) • Results disaggregated by interest groups, administrative areas, gender, refugees and host communities among others as applicable 5 Dissemination of Information • Dissemination of information to various stakeholders, journals and forums (TBD and agreed) 30th July 2022 5th instalment

Location and Travel Arrangements The consultant will be based in Juba, South Sudan and should have the ability to conduct field visits to oversee data collection and understand the operating context, and provide capacity building to country and field-based staff. Consultant will be expected to attend any international meetings that are held related to the project, at UNICEF’s expense, once requested.

Minimum Qualifications required: Masters in Public Health, community health, health sciences, research methodology, monitoring and evaluation, social sciences or related field Professional training in the following also to be considered: • Health system analysis/strengthening (essential) • Healthcare quality / patient safety (desirable) • Monitoring and Evaluation (desirable) • Statistics and statistical software package(s): both Excel and any other statistical package, ideally STATA or SPSS, and/or R (essential)

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic) or a local language is an asset. Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required: • At least eight years’ experience in health projects; experience in other projects an added benefit • Experience / expertise in leading Knowledge Management initiatives • Training and experience in designing and providing technical guidance on Research Methodologies • Knowledge of data collection techniques in fragile / conflict-affected settings • Statistical Analysis package(s): both Excel and any other statistical package, ideally STATA or SPSS, and/or R (essential) • Expertise in Data visualization • Experience in conducting analysis and research, and drafting technical publications. Previous publications (essential) Experience in project monitoring and TPM (desirable) 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, multi-national 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 by a detailed technical and financial proposal.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.