International Consultancy: Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) Roadmap

Duration: 35 days over a period of one and a half months (21 September - 6 November 2020)

Purpose of Assignment:

The East and South African region continues to experiences multi-hazard crises occasioned by conflict, recurrent climate change-related shocks and diseases outbreaks including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, over 45 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance as of January 2020. Over 9 million people are internally displaced with the majority of these in the DRC, South Sudan and Ethiopia while the region has 3.3 million refugees and over 500,000 irregular migrants moving in search of economic opportunities. UNFPA strives to ensure that SRH/GBV services are provided/continue to be provided to people in need of humanitarian assistance.

Under the leadership of the health cluster and the GBV sub-cluster, UNFPA supports the implementation of the minimum initial service package (MISP) for reproductive health in countries faced with humanitarian emergencies. The MISP aims at achieving six objectives including to;

1. Ensure the health sector/cluster identifies an organization to lead the implementation of the MISP
2. Prevent sexual violence and respond to the needs of survivors
3. Prevent the transmission of and reduce morbidity and mortality due to HIV and other STIs
4. Prevent excess maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality
5. Prevent unintended pregnancies
6. Plan for comprehensive SRH services, integrated into PHC as soon as possible. Work with the health sector/cluster partners to address the six-health system building blocks.

National disaster preparedness and response efforts in the countries are coordinated through ministries and other government agencies designated to coordinate response efforts. Countries have developed multi-sectoral National Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans (NDPRPs) that address the common hazards in their areas. UN agencies and partners supporting the response to crises are expected to build on interventions outlined in these plans to support the countries when faced with a humanitarian crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a clear example of how countries respond to crises based on their NDPRPs. The prioritization of essential services to continue during the strict lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic was based on these plans. As a result, significant vital time was spent negotiating the inclusion of critical lifesaving SRHR services in this list at the cost of life in some settings. 

Scope of Work:

The selected consultant will work under the direction of the Regional Humanitarian Advisor and the ISRHR unit head in close contact with Humanitarian Coordinators at country offices. She/he will review the National Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans in liaison with the Ministries in charge of disaster preparedness and response and Health. The review will involve:

1. Reviewing the health and protection components of NDPRPs and documents pertaining to MISP objectives.
2. Review the National COVID-19 Response Plans and documents to assess inclusion of the continuity of essential services, in particular the MISP objectives.
3. Identify potential areas in the NDPRPs where the MISP objectives could be integrated/strengthened.
4. Document any evidence as well as challenges and opportunities pertaining to implementation of the MISP during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. Develop a draft roadmap for countries to integrate/improve the inclusion of MISP in their National DPRPs.

Duration and Working Schedule:

This work will require 35 person days over a period of one and a half months. The contract will start on 21 September and end on 6 November 2020.

• Develop an inception report outlining the process through which work will be conducted and participate in an inception meeting with ESRO ISRHR unit with humanitarian team - 5 days (inception report ready by 25 September 2020)
• Develop guidance tools for the review of DPRPs, Focal Point Interviews with CO Humanitarian focal points and RECs (EAC and SADC focal Points) 28 September 2020
• Collect and review National Disaster Response Plans, COVID-19 response plans and analyse the involvement of COVID-19 (28 September - 19 October 2020)
• Conduct one on one interviews with selected UNFPA humanitarian colleagues on the practice of involvement of MISP in the disaster response plans (28 September - 19 October 2020)
• Conduct one on one interviews with REC focal points (EAC and SADC) on regional initiatives on Disaster Preparedness and Response efforts (28 September - 19 October 2020)
• Prepared Draft Report on DPRP analysis (26 October 2020)
• Present Draft Report to ESARO ISRHR/Humanitarian Unit (30 October 2020)
• Share one final report (2 November 2020)
• Feedback meeting with ESARO and CO focal points (TBD) 5 November 2020

Place where services are to be delivered:
The drafts will be submitted electronically to ESARO office through the Regional Humanitarian Advisor.

Delivery Dates: 
The selected consultant will be expected to deliver the following: 

• Inception Report and Schedule of work (25 September 2020)
• Draft Data collection tools (28 September to 19 October 2020)
• Report on Interim data collection status (16 October 2020)
• Draft Final Report (26 October 2020)
• Final Report (6 November 2020)

Monitoring and Progress Control:
The selected consultant will be required to provide regular update through emails, telephone calls, participate in Zoom/Google Meetings as required to monitor adherence to the tight schedule.

Supervisory Arrangements:
The selected consultant will work under the supervision of the Humanitarian Advisor at UNFPA ESARO as the contracting agent, in close collaboration with ISRHR unit.

Expected Travel
In light of the current COVID-19 travel restrictions, most of the work will be conducted remotely and will require the consultant to consult extensively with countries using remote tools. However, if the restrictions are lifted within the timeline of the consultancy, some travel may be expected of the consultant to countries where remote methods of work are not functioning effectively.

Qualifications and Experience:
Selected consultant must meet the following minimum criteria: 

• A track record in working on SRHR in the ESA region or globally; 
• Advanced degree in Public Health, Social sciences, development studies or related field; 
• 10 or more years’ experience in SRHR in humanitarian settings including SRHR policy and strategy development, research, including monitoring and evaluation;
• Experience in working with governments, EAC, IOC, SADC, Academic Institutions, UN agencies or similar bodies on SRHR/GBV programming;
• Demonstrate technical expertise and a good understanding of SRHR, and the humanitarian response in the ESAR region;
• Knowledge of SRHR programming, particularly for Adolescent Girls and Young Women will be an added advantage;
• Proven experience in working with a wide range of partners and reaching consensus and accommodating their critical inputs into the process; and
• Excellent English writing skills. 

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner:
The consultant will be expected to consult with Ministries of Health, Disaster Preparedness and Response, Gender and Humanitarian Affairs in the region. 

How to Apply:

• The deadline for applications is 2 September 2020, 5 pm New York time.
• Submit your application with a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) and motivational letter to jobs.esaro@unfpa.org.  Please specify in the email subject "International Consultant-MISP Roadmap" 
• •UNFPA does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training) or other fees, or request information on applicants’ bank accounts.
• UNFPA will only respond to those applicants in whom the Regional Office has further interest. In the event that UNFPA does not contact you by 30 September 2020, please consider your application unsuccessful.