Lesotho Every New-born Action Plan (LENAP) and Position Paper Writing Consultant, Maseru, Lesotho (2.5 months)

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Health

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The maternal, new-born health and Still birth situation is a concern as the numbers of women who die from pregnancy and childbirth related causes have increased immensely in Lesotho since 1990. The maternal mortality ratio is among the highest in the region, with an estimate of 1,155 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2009. The Government of Lesotho has set a target to reduce maternal deaths to 300 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030 but with the present trend this is highly unlikely to be achieved, unless collective efforts are urgently initiated by all relevant ministries under the tutelage of the Ministry of Health, departments, development partners, civil society, and communities.

Globally 2.5 million newborns die in the first days every year and neonatal mortality represents 47% of under-five child deaths. One third of new-born deaths happen on the day of birth. The time of labour and childbirth as well as the first days of life remain the most vulnerable period for many babies across the world.

Lesotho is no exception to this trend. While the country has made considerable progress in reducing under-5 mortality, maternal and neonatal mortality remains unacceptably high. Neonatal deaths currently represent 50% of all under five deaths, which reduced from 47 per 1000 live births in 2009 to 36 per 1000 live births in 2018. In 2021, UN reports ranked Lesotho with the highest newborn Mortality Rate (NMR) in the Eastern and Southern Africa, at 35 newborn deaths per 1000 live births. This shows that Lesotho is off track for every newborn to survive and thrive goals and to meet SDG3.2. This statistic likely underestimates the actual neonatal mortality rate. Deaths of newborns are often underreported because their deaths occur before birth registration.

Although a lot of progress has been made during the past two decades in coverage of skilled birth attendance in health facilities: however, reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality remains unacceptably slow. More attention and strategic shifts to the quality of care is required, as poor quality of care contributes to morbidity and mortality. Complications of preterm birth, asphyxia, intra-partum perinatal death and neonatal infections account for more than 85% of new-born deaths globally.

Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth highlights global progress on maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, and stillbirths, as well as country efforts to meet the global targets for all three of these critical challenges. The UN recognises the complexity of addressing maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality that not only calls for a strategic and prioritised response, but also the participation of diverse stakeholders based on their mandates and relevance. Therefore, development of an action plan for reduction of maternal and new-born morbidity and mortality is an important step towards drastic improvement of SDG 3.1 in Lesotho. The SDG acceleration framework (SDGAF) will assist in employing evidence-based, low cost, high impact solutions to address the obstacles and impediments in achievement of SDG 3. 1. The SDGAF will further determine priorities within existing strategies and bring together fragmented efforts and resources from various partners and stakeholder to specifically target this off-track SDG.

It is against this background that UNICEF is seeking consultancy services to review, update LENAP and write the position paper in employing evidence-based information on utilizing low cost, high impact solutions to address the obstacles and impediments in reducing high Maternal mortality, neonatal mortality and still birth.

Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the UNICEF Health Officer and in consultation with CSD Chief, Child health Program manager and other UN agencies the consultant will support the development of SDG Acceleration Framework

Specific Objective:

1. Review the status of implementation of last LENAP, including achievements and challenges and support in updating costed LENAP framework to end preventable maternal and new-born deaths and stillbirths.

2. Compile evidence-based information on utilizing low cost, high impact solutions to address the obstacles and impediments to in reducing high maternal and neonatal mortality to use when writing the Position paper which will be used for advocacy to government and parliament to garner support in SDG acceleration framework.

Tasks/Milestone:****Deliverables/Outputs:****Timeline (period/deadline)With Leadership from MOH Child Health Manager and in consultation with the supervisors, and UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA agree on specific timelines for the development of the various components for the two documents as per the consultancyInception report detailing understanding of TORs, methodology to be employed, detailed work plan and resource needs5 DaysWorking with other consultants from other UN agencies and using the situational analysis report developed by UNFPA consultant and review last LENAP status implementation, including achievements, opportunities, and challenges.Last LENAP Implementation report15 DaysFacilitate development of a TOC, proposed on the revised LENAP structure, and M&E frameworkPresentation of TOC, proposed evidence-based strategies, implementation models, practices and costed implementation plan and M&E Framework to TWG10 DaysFinalization of the draft LENAP, incorporating relevant comments and inputs from the TWGs. Presentation of the draft LENAP to stakeholders, and further incorporation of relevant comments. Dissemination of the finalized LENAP at a stakeholders' validation meeting. Submission of final LENAP report.Revised and costed LENAP Plan and with M&E Framework15 DaysIn consultation with the SRHR TWG incorporate the LENAP into SDG Acceleration FrameworkLENAP included into SDG Acceleration framework (AF)5 DaysDraft the Position paper on SDG AFPosition paper drafted and ready to be presented10 Days

Payment Schedule

Payment Instalment****Deliverable****#Days****weight1st PaymentInception report5 Days10%

2nd PaymentDetailed LENAP Last implementation Report15 Days25%3rd PaymentNewly proposed TOC for the New LENAP10 Days20%4th PaymentRevised and costed LENAP plan with M&E Frame-work15 Days25%5th PaymentLENAP included in Acceleration Framework5 Days10%6th PaymentPosition paper on SDG AF10 Days10%TOTAL 100%****To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Enter Disciplines:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, HIV paediatric health, family health, health research, global/international health, health policy and/or management, epidemiology, or other health-related sciences Work experience

Work experience:

• At least 5 years professional experience in Maternal and child health programming and/or research at national and sub-national levels
• Strong facilitation skills and proven ability to interpret new technical knowledge on Maternal and Child health considering the current knowledge on Maternal Mortality Rate and neonatal, infant and child mortality rates trends in the field.
• Prior experience in developing tools and guidance for Maternal and Child Health programmes.
• Prior experience with the United Nations, or a multi-lateral or international health and development agency.
• Proven ability to communicate technical knowledge on Maternal and Child health AIDS in terms that are accessible to programme professionals, including non-specialists.
• Ability to work independently and in consultation with UNICEF teams.
• Ability to use good judgement incorporating feedback from various team members and partners.
• Punctual turnaround of work and ability to multi-task.
• Cultural and gender sensitivity

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Excellent communication and working with people
• Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
• Previous working experience with UNICEF is strongly preferred

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit an online application through the Talent Management System (TMS) that consists as a minimum of the following:

-TMS Profile/ Curriculum Vitae

-Financial proposal must be ‘all inclusive’ of all expenses related to the assignment

-Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates

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.