International Individual Consultancy to document best practices and report writing for integration of sexual reproductive health, HIV, sexual gender violence and under 2Gether4SRHR in Lesoth

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

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Background and Justification

2gether4SRHR is a comprehensive programme that was initiated in 2018 to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of all people in Eastern and Southern Africa, particularly adolescent girls, young people, and key populations (KP).

The program is funded by the Swedish International Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and aims to fast-track the attainment of the 2030 targets of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, improve the health and well-being of all at all ages, and SDG 5, achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Health of Lesotho through the support of UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO and UNAIDS.

The main objectives of this program are:

1. Create an enabling legal and policy environment by 2021 that empowers all people to exercise their SRH rights and access quality integrated services.
2. Scale up the provision of client-centered quality assured integrated and sustainable SRHR, HIV, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) services by 2021, which meets the needs of all people.
3. Empower all people to exercise their SRH rights, adopt protective and promotive behaviors, and access quality integrated services on time, by 2021.
4. Amplify the lessons learnt from the implementation of the Joint UN Regional Programme to strengthen integrated SRHR, HIV, SGBV services for all people, in particular among adolescent girls, young people and key populations in the ESA region, by 2021.

In Lesotho, the UN agencies implement together with the government, civil society organizations, and beneficiaries to ensure that 2gether4SRHR responds to the national needs and align with National Government Plans and strategies. A midterm evaluation was conducted to assess the program implementation progress as of December 2019, which informed the significant progress across all the four objectives in all ESA countries, including Lesotho. Understanding that in 2020, the entire world has been impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19, the Lesotho programme included the integration of COVID-19 to its programming to strengthen integrated SRHR, HIV, and SGBV services and ensure continuity of service delivery.

As the program ends in December 2021, it is necessary to document the lesson learnt and the best practices of this program in Lesotho to advocate the scale-up of efficient and effective models that promote integration and sustainability of SRHR, HIV and SGBV services in the country. Additionally, the development of a final implementation report will support the consolidation of results made in the past four years in the country against the programme objectives and the log frame.

It is against this background, UNICEF is seeking consultancy services to assist with the documentation of best practices for integration of SRHR, HIV, SGBV and COVID-19 under 2Gether4SRHR in Lesotho and support the writing of a final implementation report.

Scope of Work

*Goal and Objective*****:

Under the overall supervision of the HIV Specialist, with support from the Communication for Development Unit, and the guidance of the 2Gether4SRHR implementing agencies, the consultant will identify and document success stories and best practices/ models to strengthen integrated Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights-HIV, SGBV services and COVID-19 under the 2getherSRHR program in Lesotho. Additionally, the consultant will be required to draft a final implementation report of the programme in Lesotho. Each of the deliverables will be reviewed by 2gether4SRHR partner UN agencies (UNFPA, WHO and UNAIDS) and the Ministry of Health for endorsement.

Specific Objectives:

To document the best practices in the implementation of the 2Gether4SRHR through integrated models with a focus on:

• Identification of best practices for integration of services in terms of innovation, effectiveness and efficiency to achieve results that promise scale-up and sustainability for integrated SRHR, HIV, SGBV and Covid-19 programming at the national level and sub-national level.
• Identification of gaps in existing SRHR, HIV, SGBV and COVID-19 integrated services and provide actionable recommendations /strategies to address the gaps.
• Documentation of case studies that reflects the implementation of the best models for replication in integrating SRHR, HIV, SGBV and COVID-19 in the context of 2gether4SRHR implementation in Lesotho.
• Develop a PowerPoint presentation to summarize the best practices models to be used for advocacy to government decision-makers, development partners, and implementing partners.
• Produce a user-friendly final report with clear action points, which will be used at different platforms: by health facilities, program officers and decision-makers to inform evidence on high impact integration of SRHR/HIV, SGBV and COVID-19 interventions.

• Produce a final implementation report of 2Gether4SRHR in Lesotho based on the log frame and initial proposal.

  Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered:

The activity aligns with the rolling work plan (2019-2021) signed by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF under output 2.1: Adolescents living with or at risk of HIV have increased capacity to demand quality prevention, identification, care, and support services.

Activities and Tasks:

The consultant will take stock of the implementation approach employed by the Ministry of Health and 2Gether4SRHR agencies (UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, UNAIDS), identify issues related to governance and accountability, identify partnerships that have contributed to the success of the approach and highlight stories which demonstrate the delivery of quality integrated SRHR/HIV, SGBV and COVID-19 services under the programme.

The process will entail a desk review, key informant interviews, and consultations with key stakeholders, 5-day field visits to the 2Gether4SRHR districts with a focus on project areas (COVID-19 allowing), and production of the documentation of the best practices report and PowerPoint. Additionally, the consultant will be required to review the programme proposal, log frame, and develop a final implementation report based on consultations with UN agencies and the Ministry of Health.

Outputs/Deliverables:

No.

Output

Deliverable

Weight (%)

Time frame

1

Desk review, consutation meeting with UN agencies conducted and inception report produced indicating mapping and timeline of activities to be undertaken

Inception Report and workplan

20%

2 weeks

2

Consultations and Field visits to identify and capture data for the case studies

Short field report with proposed best practices identified

20%

4 weeks

3

Submit a draft documentation report and Powerpoint Presentation on best practices for integrated SGBV, HIV, SGBV and COVID-19 in Lesotho

Draft documentation report & Powerpoint Presentation

20%

5 days

4

Submit a draft final implementation report for 2Gether4SRHR in Lesotho

Draft 2Gether4SRHR implementation report

20%

5 days

5

Final reports (best practices and implementation report) produced with inputs from the validation team.

2 Final reports produced

20%

4 days

Desired profile

• A Masters Degree in a relevant field (e.g. public health, epidemiology/social services, or related etc.).
• At least a minimum 5 years experience working on SRHR/HIV and SGBV programming with experience in documenting best practices. Technical expertise in communication will be an added advantage.
• Familiarity with various service delivery care models for SRHR/HIV and SGBV programming.
• Experience in engaging and or leading consultations with national authorities in documentation and reporting processes.

• Experience in developing reports, advocacy packages, case studies, policy briefs for a range of audiences including policy makers

  Administrative issues

The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts

1. The Consultant will work on his/her own computer and use his/her own office resources and materials in the execution of this assignment. UNICEF will allocate office space for the consultant. The consultant fee shall be inclusive of all office administrative costs i.e (travel, living allowance and visa fees)
2. The consultant will be engaged either remotely or physically in the country depend on the deliverables. However, working days will be determined as per the prescribed duration of each deliverable.
3. The work of the consultant is full-time but is required to visit the ten districts for data collection and consultations. The consultant can work remotely with prior approval from the supervisor.
4. As per UNICEF policy, payment will be made against approved deliverables. Please also see UNICEF's Standard Terms and Conditions attached
5. The consultant’s payment is a Lump Sum inclusive of travel (a two-way travel based on economy class fares), living allowance and professional fees; when the consultant is to travel outside Maseru and stay overnights, related Living allowance will be inclusive of the total contract value.
6. As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
7. Consultant will not be entitled to leave, however, unpaid day offs will be discussed and agreed with supervisor

Payment Schedule

Deliverable

Weight (%)

Inception Report

20%

Short field report with proposed best practices identified

20%

Draft documentation report & Powerpoint Presentation

20%

Draft 2Gether4SRHR implementation report

20%

2 Reports produced

20%

Risks

UNICEF Lesotho’s 2019-2022 Country Programme Document (CPD) was developed with a risk-informed programming lens to support sustainable programs, considering assumptions for the project’s success. The development of the CPD, through which this activity will contribute, analyzed the vulnerabilities, systems, capacities, resources, and looked at the risks beneficiaries may face to prevent the risk or mitigate the impact. The risks associated with the implementation of this activity are minimal and below the global threshold set by UNICEF’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office. The risks will be managed through constant monitoring, providing early warning of potential issues in programme implementation, and advocacy with GOL officials. COVID-19 trends will be monitored. All reasonable and likely risks should be identified and relevant risk response and possible mitigating actions defined.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including a profile to the respective advertisement on https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/ Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above.

Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g. consultancy fee, travel/flights, living allowance).

Applications submitted without a fee/rate or project plan will not be considered.

If you have not been contacted within a month of the closing date please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

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 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.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org