TERMS OF REFERENCE
IGAD REGIONAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH COMMODITY SECURITY ASSESSMENT: NATIONAL CONSULTANTS
1. Introduction
IGAD hosts a population of over 160 million with one of the highest growth rates. The land mass of IGAD Region span over 5.2 million square kilometers. IGAD is a regional political, economic, development, trade and security entity mandated with three strategic priorities: (i) conflict prevention, management and resolution and humanitarian affairs; (ii) economic-infrastructure (transport and communication) and social development; and (iii) food security and environmental protection. Principally, IGAD strives to attain sustainable economic and related development for its member countries.
- Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) is achieved when individuals are able to obtain and use the reproductive health commodities of their choice whenever they need them
- Reproductive Health Commodity Security (RHCS) is achieved when individuals are able to obtain and use the reproductive health commodities of their choice whenever they need them
The global strategy for RHCS underpins a huge proportion of UNFPA efforts to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health. For, while individuals can be educated, informed and motivated to choose healthier behavior, they are unable to do so if the basic supplies they need to protect their sexual health and reproductive choices are not made consistently available to them
The sexual and reproductive health situation in the IGAD countries is characterized by:
- High maternal and child mortality rate;
- Lowest contraceptive prevalence rates in the continent and high unmet need for contraception among married women; this low contraceptive use is associated with high incidence of unwanted pregnancy which leads to high number of unsafe abortion and related complications in the region;
- Low level of antenatal care (43%);
- Low level of skill birth attendance (42%)
- C-section rate less than the Minimum target (5%) in all countries
- Availability of strong Cultural and socio-economic underlying factors (illiteracy, early marriage, teen pregnancy, female genital mutilations, woman status, poverty, etc.) on mother and child health;
- Weakness of health system resulting in weak rates of accessibility, availability and use of the sexual and reproductive health services;
- Deficiency of specific Sexual and Reproductive health policies, strategies and interventions targeting mobile populations.
- Fragmentation of services (CBMP SRHR/RHCSR situation analysis);
- There is a very strong logical and sensible demand for essential health rights fulfillment (CBMP+)
IGAD, in close collaboration with and through series of technical assistance by the UNFPA liaison office to the AU and the UNFPA Africa /southern Eastern Africa Sub Regional Office, have consolidated Sexual and reproductive Health and Rights and Reproductive Health Commodity Security Policy Strategic Frame work and Plan of Action since 2008 .This POA Spans to 2015.
The Plan of Action is focusing on the main components of the sexual and reproductive health to develop and reinforce the basic functioning health systems: Family Planning and Maternal and Newborn Health. In addition to intensify efforts in the S&RHR needs of the mobile populations and on Female Genital mutilations (FGM) and Gender-based Violence (GBV) issues. Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AS&RH), recognized by IGAD and member states as a major public health issue
IGAD RHCS faces greater challenges in the 9 countries. Access is a key factor in meeting RH needs. In most of the countries, RHCS challenges include logistics systems, infrastructure, procurement, warehousing, distribution, quality assurance, stock monitoring and management and unusually long lead times. Central to this is the capacity of IGAD member to correctly forecast their needs. For adequate forecasting of RH Commodities it is necessary for countries to have valid and timely logistics management information systems.
Most of the IGAD member countries struggle with maintaining valid logistics management information data at all levels. It was thus deemed necessary that a holistic RHCS Status Analysis be undertaken in all member states for identification of major gaps and the formulation of priorities through the development of an RHCS strategic Action Plan which should be able address these gaps.
It is envisaged that the RHCS status analysis will provide information for the Regional parliamentarians and Directors of RH in 2012. The analysis report action plan and recommendation will be used by countries to address gaps and identify mechanisms to meet the needs that have been identified in the status analysis.
2: JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: National Consultant
Job Group: Professional
Duty Station: IGAD Member countries
Accountable to: Program manager Health and Social Development
3: Job Summary
Under the overall supervision of IGAD international consultant , the National cosultant is expected to support the following deliverable
1. Status Analysis Report - Knowledge and understanding of the status of RHCS at the member countries country level in 2012.
2. RHCS Strategic Action Plan - details of how to move towards enhanced coordination and sustainability identified in the member states
The objectives of the analysis
The overall objective is to ensure a securing supply and choice of quality contraceptives and other reproductive health commodities to meet every persons needs at the right time and in the right place.
4: Core Duties and Responsibilities:
Key issues that need to be addressed in the IGAD RHCS situation assessment:
1. Collect reliable information from stakeholders, RHCS programme managers and, decisions makers on the current status of RHCS in IGAD countries
2. Assess and assemble data on commodity utilization, method mix, demand, unmet need, donor contributions and access to services
3. Estimate short and long term RH commodity needs and costs
4. Describe and assess support to RHCS and RH commodities by government, donors, social marketing organizations, private sector etc.
5. Describe and assess the RHCS situation regarding supply management and LMIS, including data collection, reporting, statistics, training, storage, transportation, distribution system and forecasting
6. Assess public sector forecasting and procurement capacity
7. Describe and analyze existing demand creation, IEC and advocacy activities
8. Assess current training needs within LMS and for service providers
9. If contraceptives are not part of the essential drugs list, assess the reasons and obstacles
10. Describe and analyze the current monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place
11. Assess current RHCS market segmentation strategy and mechanisms
12. Assess current RHCS service delivery arrangements including free distribution, cost recovery mechanisms including social marketing and social insurance
13. Describe and assess political commitment, policies and regulations affecting RHCS, and RHCS institutional arrangements, including analysis of existence, effectiveness and efficiency of a multi-partite RHCS coordinating body
14. Describe and analyze the roles of RHCS stakeholders including public sector (health sector, police, military etc.), NGOs, Social Marketing organizations .
15. Describe and assess the role family planning/reproductive health services and supplies in the health sector reform processes
16. Analyze the prospects and sources of funding for RH commodities in the future
17. Compile data findings and contribute to drafting the 2012 IGAD RHCS Situation Analysis report and developing the Strategic Plan
5: Assumptions and Risks
In undertaking this initiative it is assumed that, IGAD and UNFPA Sub-regional office for Africa will be proactive in following up the recommendations of the above activities.
Risks: If these recommended RHCS strategies are not incorporated in the Regional and national Reproductive Health Policy/ Strategies for IGAD, they are much less likely to succeed
The following methodologies will be used for the RHCS assessment:
1. Initial briefing of the consultant by IGAD International Consultants with the MOH and Directors of RH in the member countries on the Assessment.
2. Desk review to analyze documents especially the Maputo Plan action, the IGAD SRH strategic plan of Action and the IGAD SRH situation analysis for Cross Border Mobile Population.
3. Interactions (including observations of meetings, and visits to RH clinics) with RHCS focal point, Ministry of Health officials and field visits to selected health facilities (health centre and pharmacy and IGAD Hot spots.
4. Interviews and discussions with in-country RHCS focal point, UNFPA CO , RH coordinators, Medical supplies institutions , pharmacy staff and other relevant Ministry of Health officials and other relevant stakeholders.
5. Review of relevant in-country data files and documents
6. Gather in-country information for the review•
6: Location and Timeframe
The consultancy will be for 30 working days and the consultants will be based in their own IGAD countries
8: Payment: The Daily Consultancy rate for this consultancy is based on the consultant’s previous consultancy with IGAD and UNFPA
Payment of the consultancy fee shall be one fixed price payment on satisfactory completion of the above work and submission of all the reports preferably
9: Minimum Qualifications and Experience
The consultant should have working experience in the area of RHCS and have been involved in development of RHCS strategic plans and situation analysis. He/she should have had extensive experience in conducting trainings on RHCS. A Masters level or the equivalent qualification in the area of public health, pharmacy, health management and/or other related social science field is desirable.
10: Key Skills and Competencies
He/she should also demonstrate fluency in oral and written English and French and have at least 8 years professional experience preferably in programme and commodity management in the public or private sectors.
Working experiences in the Africa and knowledge of IGAD countries development issues are desirable. The consultant should be computer literate.11: How to apply
Send your Applications to the Following Addresses:
Division, Administration & Finance
IGAD Secretariat
P.O.Box 2653
Tel: 253 354050
Fax: (253) 356994,353520
E-mail: hr@igad.int
with copy to fatuma.adan@igad.int and fathia.alwan@igad.int
In the Subject line, please write: Ref: HR1213 National consultant for RHCS
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