Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this vacancy notice is to establish a list of qualified candidates who will contribute to the implementation of initiatives related to projects on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in WHO regional and country offices in the African region.

Background

WHO/AFRO is implementing several initiatives that aim to increase access to SRHR services in both the development and emergency settings. WHO/AFRO provides technical support to an increasing number of ‘focus’ countries together with on-demand and routine normative technical support to all the 47 countries in the WHO African region. The role of the WHO AFRO Reproductive and Maternal Health and Healthy Ageing unit within the Universal health Coverage Life Course Cluster is to support countries in developing, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on relevant strategies and plans. The unit is also responsible for ensuring the coordination of SRHR activities and the follow-up of agreed action plans. The unit is engaged in continued policy dialogue, advocacy, and resource mobilization for the implementation and scale-up of quality SRHR interventions in countries.

Deliverables

Output 1: Integrating SRHR services in Universal Health Coverage (UHC) – national essential services lists and benefits packages are key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) SRHR targets by ensuring essential services for each age cohort reach every person without financial risk.

• National UHC frameworks, roadmaps and related UHC essential services benefit packages reviewed and the status of inclusion (and exclusion) of the key elements of SRHR documented.

• Prioritization exercise for SRHR services in member states’ essential services list and benefits packages in the African region, including in humanitarian and emergency settings.

• Facilitate the constitution and functioning of a technical working group for the integration of SRHR in UHC.

• Costing of SRHR services in the African region using an agreed methodology.

• Development of a roadmap for the integration of SRHR in UHC in the WHO/AFRO Region. This includes developing, implementing, and monitoring key performance indicators, work plans, and budgets to integrate SRHR as integral components of countries’ primary health care.

• Identify and document good practices in the integration of SRHR into national UHC frameworks/roadmaps.

• Countries supported to integrate SRHR into UHC including through policy dialogues and resource mobilization.

• Development of a comprehensive report on the status of SRHR integration into UHC in African region

Output 2:Innovative methods to improve access to SRHR services in the African

A. Digital Health:

• Needs assessment on the status and opportunities for digital health interventions for SRHR in focus countries using a ready-developed Country Assessment Tool.

• Prepare and facilitate regional webinars and onsite workshops to raise awareness and build capacity to optimize the digitalization of SRHR services

• Advocacy and policy dialogue on digital health interventions for SRHR.

• Country-level training on tools related to the use and implementation of Digital Adaptation Kits (DAKs) and self-care interventions for SRHR.

• Development and integration of SRHR workflows in the digital health platform of countries.

• Monitor and document uptake of DAKs and self-care interventions for SRHR country implementation, including technical assistance needs for successful implementation.

B. Self-care:

• Map the status, barriers, and success factors for self-care implementation across member states in WHO Africa region.

• Regional self-care summit in WHO African region bringing together all partners, MOH, WCOs and other key stakeholders to encourage adaptation and implementation of selfcare guidelines.

• Regional strategy, including monitoring and evaluation framework for implementing self-care in WHO African Region developed.

• Technical assistance to member states to roll out and scale up the implementation of self-care for SRHR services, including in humanitarian and emergency settings.

Output 3: SRHR in Humanitarian Emergencies.

• Initiatives providing comprehensive SRHR services, including abortion care and family planning, and preventing maternal death in conflict and emergency settings supported.

• Rights-based SRHR in humanitarian settings training packages for healthcare workers and regional capacity of care workers developed.

• Feasibility and implementation of Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and response (MPDSR) in humanitarian settings assessed.

• Minimum initial service package for reproductive health in emergencies (MISP) readiness assessment in the African region conducted, and national capacity on MISP built.

• Continuity of essential health services during emergency monitored.

Output 4: SRHR evidence generation and documentation of best practices.

• National and regional analyses of SRHR trends, including technical recommendations on programmatic learnings from successes and challenges during peace and shocks.

• Development and update of a national/regional database/profiles on SRHR

• Documenting SRHR lessons, best practices, and case studies. This includes supporting SRHR implementation research.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• For lower end of band level B: Minimum first university degree in medicine or social science with a bachelor’s degree in public health or equivalent or related field.

• For mid and high-end band level B: Advanced university degree in in medicine or social science with a master’s degree in public health or equivalent or related field.

• For band level C: Advanced university degree in Advanced university degree in in medicine or social science with a master’s degree in public health or equivalent or related field.

Desirable:

PhD in public health, RMH/SRHR or related programs, Residency training or postgraduate fellowship in obstetrics and gynecology, Monitoring and Evaluation or Project or Results-based Management certification.

Experience:

Essential: relevant increasingly responsible professional experience, with a proven track record of implementing both SRHR programs and grant management at the management level. Experience in providing senior-level advice and guidance to Senior Management/Decision-makers and managing human and financial resources. Demonstrated experience at the international level.

• For lower end of band level B: Over 5 years.

• For mid and high-end band level B: Over 7 years.

• For band level C: Over 10 years.

Desirable:

• Experience in strategy development, stakeholder engagement, results-based planning, management and reporting, and established skills in coordinating with senior leaders. Proven track record of engaging National Governments and conducting high-level advocacy and strengthening partnerships through engaging, convening, and coordinating of key partners and stakeholders, including African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), H6, USAID, BMGF, Global Fund, and Buffet Foundation.

• Extensive network within the academic, civil society and development community.

• At least 5- 10 publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals or published reports, with at least 2 as the drafting author.

Skills / Knowledge:

• Expert and recognized authority in the area of maternal and perinatal health or Sexual andReproductive Health and Rights or health systems strengthening,

• Knowledge of the WHO Policy and Strategy for Sexual and Reproductive Health/Family Planning

• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing policies and strategies

• Excellent skills and ability to manage diverse teams and financial resources.

• Strong understanding and skills in mobilizing resources.

• Ability to engage, build consensus, communicate effectively, and commit to collaborating effectively with other key partners in the health subject area.

• Proven project management and leadership skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes

• Proven ability to effectively collaborate across multiple teams and deliver results at a global scale, while supporting coherent and integrated programming.

• Strong planning and organizational skills, demonstrated ability to manage converging priorities and deliver high-quality products under tight deadlines.

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationship with counterparts.

• Working level of computer literacy with proven ability to use standard office software packages, including eHealth tools.

• Proven experience in writing strategic documents for WHO or any other UN agency.

• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team, demonstrating strong interpersonal and networking skills.

Languages and required level:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English or French with working knowledge of the other.

Desirable:

Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese.

Location

On site: The consultant will carry out duties at the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget

The remuneration will be based on applicable assignment assigned experience as per the consultant payment guidelines according to the monthly rate of band levels B or C.

• Band level B – USD 7,000 to 9,980 per month.
• Band level C – USD 10,000 to 12,500 per month.

A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited.

Expected duration of contract:

Contract duration varies based on the technical unit needs and availability of funds.

Additional Information

• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

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• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.

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• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
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