National Health Consultants Four in number ( Open to South Sudanese Only)

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Friday 20 May 2022 at 20:55 UTC

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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 an 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, deliver of essential health service delivery in the states of Upper Nile and Jonglei States, while developing Government capacity for health sector stewardship. The project has entered the second phase (July 2021 – 2022) 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 the recently nomination of UNICEF as the Principal recipient for the Global Fund Malaria Grant which started officially on 1st October 2021 as well as the urgent need to acceleration / intensify the implementation of the current World Bank – funded project in Jonglei and Upper Nile. The cumulation of the above situations is now contributing to slow down the implementation of the planned MNCH program component. The requested stretch assignments will enable the section to catch-up with the MNCH program needs and keep delivering at the expected level and even beyond.

    Purpose/task & Expected Results The Health Officer (Maternal and Newborn) and the Health Specialist (MNCH) are both to be based in Juba and will support the Maternal and Newborn Health and MNCH portfolio in UNICEF Juba Country Office, spearheading the implementation, supervision and programmatic support to the World Bank funded project in Jonglei and Upper Nile State (in several lots); the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Response Project (CERHSRP) under the supervision of the Health Manager. Main Duties and Responsibilities: Deliverable 1: Technical, strategic and coordination oversight is provided for the effective provision of essential health services for women and children World Bank funded COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Response Project (CERHSRP).

    • Provide programmatic and technical guidance to the field offices and IPs to ensure quality implementation of the CERHSP project and adequate delivery of the CERHSP package of essential health services in the 10 lots. • Conduct monthly bilateral meetings with partners of lot using available data (CERHSP/BHI/QSC dashboards, HSF data, field mission reports, TPM findings etc.) to review progress in the provision of health services and address challenges and ensure close follow up on agreed action points. • Coordinate disbursement of funds and timely liquidation of DCTs • Conduct monthly analysis of MNH data and provide feedback to FO and implementing partners to improve on access, quality and continuum of care • Review and analyze partner’s quarterly progress report within 2 weeks after CSO submission and FO review and provide timely and quality feedback to the partner • Conduct field monitoring visits to assess progress against project targets, provide on-site mentorship and follow up on the implementation of the visit recommendations, using standardized tools (quality assessment checklist and supervision tracker) • Develop and amend effective partnership agreements as needed and in a timely manner to scale up coverage of essential health services in South Sudan • Provide quality and timely input for the writing of the WB progress reports

    Performance indicators • At least 3 Lots (for each) comprising 6 implementing partners supporting 10 counties and 54 health facilities are technically and programmatically guided to ensure quality delivery of the CERHSP • Review and approval of quarterly liquidations and fund transfers to IPs for concerned lots is conducted within 2 weeks following the end of the quarter in coordination with the operation specialist • CERSHP funds are spent by IPs according to validated budgets and as per donors’ guidelines • 0% outstanding DCT > 6 months • Monthly health data and key indicators related to the implementation of the CERHSP in concerned lots are analyzed using the health section data dashboards and TPM findings, bottlenecks are identified, and corrective actions taken by IPs for effective delivery of essential health services in Jonglei and Upper Nile • Partners quarterly progress reports are shared by partners by the 30th of the following month and are analyzed within two weeks of submission and FO review, using the standard PD monitoring template. • At least, one field monitoring visits are conducted per quarter to ensure adequate and quality implementation of the CERHSP project and recommendations are followed up with IPs using the supervision tracker • Quality and timely input for the WB progress reports is submitted as per internal and donor deadlines

    Deliverable 2: Access to quality maternal and newborn care services is improved in health facilities supported by the World Bank Project (CERSHP) in Jonglei and Upper Nile

    • Provide technical oversight and strategic coordination in collaboration with JHPIEGO to build capacity of health care workers in the PEHSP supported Health facilities to provide quality BEMONC services, using the innovative “Low Dose High Frequency” simulation focused learning approach • In partnership with JHPEIGO, provide effective coordination, planning and implementation of 4 Master TOT trainings to take place in Juba for the 17 IPs staff covering 8 modules using the LDHF approach and subsequent training mentorship in 3 Juba Health Facilities. • Coordinate the effective roll- out of the BEMONC training to frontline health care workers of 65 PEHSP Health Facilities (7 Hospitals and 58 PHCCs) by the IP master trainers and ensure that weekly practice sessions are completed at health facility level as per LDHF training approach and tracked • Conduct mentorship, trainings and provide technical support and guidance to IP and health care workers, using standard national guidelines to ensure quality antenatal care, delivery and post-natal care, family planning, BEMONC and CEMONC services are provided in all PEHSP health facilities. • Compile training materials/job aids to support quality delivery of MNH services and if needed, conduct orientation/training for Implementing partners and FO health staff • Proceed to timely procurement of equipment and consumables and follow up on renovations and missing human resources to be addressed by IPs to ensure delivery of services

    Performance indicators • Last BEMONC ToT training is conducted on Vacuum Assisted Birth, and MVA using the LDHF approach. • Follow up and monitoring of Activity 3 BEMONC training • 17 implementing partner project staff are thoroughly equipped to replicate the BEMONC modules to 65 health facilities providing BEMONC services in Jonglei and Upper Nile states • Training roll-out plans, and weekly mentorship/practical session plans are developed and implemented by 17 implementing partners to mentor midwives in health facilities • 65 BEMONC/CEMONC health facilities have enhanced capacity to manage complications related to pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum • Lessons learned from the LDHF approached implemented in the PEHSP is documented throughout the whole project and after each activity • Trainings are conducted in ANC and Family planning to boost technical knowledge of IPs and to improve on quality of ANC and FP services • Referral for obstetrics emergencies is improved with implementation by IPs of the referral mappings at county level and optimization of all available resources • Supplies to support maternal and newborn health services are procured in a timely manner (as part of the WB procurement plan) and partnerships with UNFPA and other stakeholders (for FP supplies) are built to ensure adequate provision of supplies Deliverable 2: The National MoH is strategically and technically supported in scaling up of maternal and newborn interventions and cross-cutting roles focal roles for the section are adequately facilitated.

    • Provide guidance, technical, supply and financial support to ensure the CEMONC hospitals are well equipped to provide the 9 CEMONC functions with the required quality • Ensure effective implementation of referral systems by County as per the referral mappings and strengthen collaboration with other health actors to enhance timely referral of obstetric emergencies • Provide technical inputs to development of national guidelines, training manuals and strategic plans related to maternal and newborn health • As the health section focal point for external communications, Coordinate External communication activities that require section engagement and technical support. Performance indicators • Quality and strategic input is provided when needed to national guidelines, training manuals and strategic plans related to maternal and newborn health • All strategic coordination forum related to Reproductive and maternal health, e.g., Reproductive health Coordination Forum meetings are attended • ENAP Is widely disseminated among stakeholders and donors to enhance the newborn agenda at national level • Health stories/media feeds produced by communication section have been verified and contain authentic data. Deliverable 3: 1. Technical support is provided to the National and State ministry of health (MOH) and partners’ staff for equity-focused decentralized planning, implementation, reviews and monitoring of the BHI implementation with particular focus on maternal and child health and nutrition service delivery. • Support the BHI national coordinator to develop annual implementation plans for the BHI • Identify bottlenecks and set explicit equity focused targets and corrective actions • Building the capacities of MOH and partners for decentralised evidence-based planning, monitoring and programme performance evaluation. • Building capacities for health system strengthening assessments to help ensure resilient systems are in place to deliver quality health services. • Technically support implementing partners and local health authorities to scale implementation of the full package of the Boma Health Initiative (BHI)

    2. Coordination of the scale-up and implementation of the Boma Health Initiative • Support the coordination and guide advocacy and dissemination of BHI to all national and sub-national stakeholders. • Support the development and adoption of analytical programming tools, guidance and monitoring frameworks including use of mobile technology • Based on lessons learned and review of data, support the development of guidance and tools for evidence-based analysis, planning, monitoring and budgeting for health systems strengthening • Identify priority areas for implementation research to guide contextual implementation and scale-ups. • Map out available resources from all partners and clearly identify funding gaps that partners can use for resource mobilization

    3. Monitoring and reporting of BHI activities • Work closely with the State Ministries and County departments of Health to monitor, analyse, and report progress on the implementation and scale-up of BHI services, the identification and reduction of bottlenecks, and the assessment of programme interventions to reach deprived population more effectively. • Map out available resources from all partners and clearly identify funding gaps that partners can use for resource mobilization • Support coordination and organize quarterly/midyear and end of year National BHI review meetings and support subnational MOH to organize mid/end of year BHI review meetings • Develop and maintain an updated National database of all the BHI staffing and assets and support sub-national MOH in maintain updated databases. • Work closely with the M&E officer to ensure execution of their tasks • Undertake and provide support supervision and mentorship to sub-national MOH focal points

    Scope of Work: The Health Consultants will provide technical support and Lot Coordination to the Health Manger in Upper nile and Jonglei, based in Juba, for the implementation and monitoring of activities under WB while supporting nation-wide implementation of Malaria prevention and treatment and strengthening community health implementation through the Boma Health Initiative program . The consultants will be based in Juba and is expected to have regular travels to their respective Lots in Upernile and Jonglei and surrounding areas of UNICEF interventions, conducting programmatic visits scheduled and other Health program requirements.

    Tasks/Milestone: Key Deliverables/Outputs: Timeline New Deadline

    • Provide programmatic and technical guidance to the field offices and IPs to ensure quality implementation of the CERHSP project and adequate delivery of the CERHSP package of essential health services 1. Written Minutes of monthly meetings conducted. 1st June 2022 to 30th May 2023 30th of each month

    • Conduct monthly bilateral meetings with partners to review progress in health services, address challenges, and ensure close follow up on agreed action points 2. Minutes of follow-up meetings with partners documented with critical challenges and action points, 1st June 2022 to 30th May 2023 30th of each month

    • Coordinate disbursement of funds and timely liquidation of DCTs 3. Timely disbursement of funds to Partners. 4. Partner supported to ensure timely liquidation. 1st June 2022 to 30th May 2023 30th of each month

    • Conduct monthly analysis of MNH data and provide feedback to FO and implementing partners 5. Status of services uptake MNH as per the initial plan and target (a sort of gradient monitoring chart with quantities achieved against quantities planned/expected) 6. Monthly report on data and pharmaceuticals helping to inform on the progress of the implementation of the programme; number effective and documented feedback to IPs 1st June 2022 to 30th May 2023 30th of each month

    • Review and analyze the partner's quarterly progress report and provide timely and quality feedback to the partner 7. Quarterly report reviews conducted on MNH data and pharmaceuticals help inform the progress of the quarterly implementation of the programme. 8. number effective and documented feedback to IPs 1st June 2022 to 30th May 2023 30th of each month

    • Conduct field monitoring visits to assess progress against project targets 9. Reports of monitoring plan implemented for health facilities and BHI activities 10. 1st June 2022 to 30th May 2023 30th of each month

    • Provide quality and timely input for the writing of the WB progress reports 11. Timely and Quality inputs for the writing of WB progress reports 1st June 2022 to 30th May 2023 30th of each month

    • Coordinate the effective roll-out of the BEMONC training to frontline health care workers of 65 PEHSP Health Facilities (7 Hospitals and 58 PHCCs) by the IP master trainers 12. Training plans developed and submitted 13. Training reports prepared and submitted 14. BEMONC Trainings facilitated 15. Reports on Health facilities visited mention the number of health workers trained/coached on-site during the formal training sessions supervised 1st June 2022 to 30th May 2023 30th of each month

    • Conduct mentorship training and provide technical support and guidance to IP and health care workers, using standard national guidelines to ensure quality antenatal care, delivery and post-natal care, family planning, BEMONC and CEMONC services are provided in all PEHSP health facilities. 16. Health facilities Mentorship plans developed and submitted 17. Health facilities Mentorship activity reports prepared and submitted 18. Health facilities staff Mentorship activities on BEMONC facilitated 1st June 2022 to 30th May 2023 30th of each month

    • Compile training materials/job aids to support quality delivery of MNH services and, if needed, conduct orientation/training for Implementing partners and FO health staff Reports on Health facilities visited mention the number of health workers trained / coached on-site during the formal training sessions.

    BHI training facilitated 1st June 2022 to 30th May 2023 30th of each month

    Minimum Qualifications required: • A master’s degree in one of the following fields is required: public health/nutrition, pediatric 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

    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:

    • A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public health and management and/or in relevant areas of maternal and neonatal health care, health emergency/humanitarian preparedness, at the international level, and/or in a developing country is required. • Experience in health program/project development in a UN system agency or organization is an asset. • Experience working in Jonglei and Upper Nile and/or in a similar project like the CERHSP is an added advantage. • Knowledge of the duty station is considered an asset for this consultancy. • Diplomacy, conflict management, flexibility, and understanding of local cultural and social practices are key success factors for this consultancy.

    A range of specialized skills: • Experience of management of CERHSP or similar programs. • 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 should be accompanied by financial and technical proposal

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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 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. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org