International Consultant Towards Improving SRHR Outcomes in Humanitarian Settings: A Review of Literature and Country Experiences in ESA Region

LOCATION / DURATION:

Duration: 65 working days

Location: Remote with three in-country missions (Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe)

Estimated Start Date: 15 November, 2019

Estimated end Date: 30 April, 2020

Reporting to:  UNFPA 2gether 4 SRHR & Humanitarian focal points with guidance from UNICEF 2gether 4 SRHR Programme focal points. This consultancy will be co-led by UNFPA and UNICEF Regional Offices, in close consultation with key partners, including UN agencies, governments, civil society organizations, and the 2gether 4SRHR programme beneficiaries. 

BACKGROUND:

The 2gether 4 SRHR is a joint UN regional programme being supported by Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and implemented by UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO with the goal of improving the sexual and reproductive health of all people in East and Southern Africa (ESA). The programme works in partnership with regional economic communities, governments, civil society and community networks. Its objectives are to create an enabling policy and legal environment, expand access to integrated services for those in need, strengthen community-facility linkages and amplify lessons learnt across the region. While regional in nature the programme supports SRHR programme implementation in ten countries, with a view to distilling lessons to be learnt that can be amplified across the region. 

In the ESA region, more than 30 million people, including 17 million children (45 percent) are in need of humanitarian assistance due to climate-related shocks, health emergencies, and displacement. Droughts, floods, and cyclones have left more than 27 million people food insecure, without access to basic health care and education, and at risk of violence and abuse. Other health risks that threaten the region include ebola, cholera, yellow fever, plague, TB, Malaria, and typhoid. Women and girls, including young women and adolescent girls, people living with HIV, key populations in particular sex workers, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, and persons with disabilities are affected disproportionately in both sudden and slow-onset emergencies, and conflict and post-conflict situations and face multiple sexual and reproductive health challenges, including gender-based violence. 

Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe are experiencing the effects of multiple humanitarian crises that are associated with climatic conditions. All three countries in the first half of 2019 experienced severe flooding relating to cyclone Idai and Kenneth. At the same time, all three countries are or have experienced droughts linked to the effects of global warming, combined with the El-Nino phenomenon, resulting in a large scale food insecurity and malnutrition during the lean period. Across all three countries, these climatic conditions have resulted in a large number of people who are in need of humanitarian assistance. 
 
This consultancy will review the humanitarian response capacity and preparedness measures in the region, with a particular focus on Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe to provide effective SRHR, HIV, and SGBV services in response to the different climatic humanitarian crises and the extent to which these met the needs of vulnerable population groups.

GOAL:

To provide guidance on actions to ensure timely, effective, principled and integrated  delivery of integrated SRHR/HIV/SGBV services to strengthen the humanitarian, development nexus with a particular emphasis on building capacity of Government, UN Agencies and non-governmental partners to build resilient health care systems that are prepared for and can rapidly respond to meeting the needs of all people, in particular those left behind in times of humanitarian crisis.  

TASKS:

The above goal is to be accomplished through a literature review and stakeholder consultation on recent SRHR, HIV and GBVhumanitarian work in the region, a review of global and regional guidance and structured country visits to Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. 

The specific tasks of the consultancy are as follows:

1. Develop an inception report for the consultancy and reach consensus with UNFPA and UNICEF on the methodology, approach, and timeline.
2. Develop a methodology and undertake a literature review of SRHR/HIV/SGBV in recent humanitarian responses, including political, climatic and other in ESA region, and follow up with key stakeholders telephonically as needed to fill in gaps.
3. Review existing global and regional level policies, guidelines and protocols on SRHR, HIV and GBV in humanitarian settings and analyse their applications to the country contexts.
4. Develop a methodology that draws upon existing tools, such as the MISP rapid assessment tool, to document the experience of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe regarding the preparation and provision of SRHR, HIV and GBV services during the cyclone response, including a description and analysis of: 
   • Coordination mechanisms including linkages with other sectors, such as shelter, food security, protection, nutrition, water, and sanitation. 
   • National SRHR and Humanitarian policies, guidelines protocols, and preparedness plan to examine the extent to which these incorporate SRHR.
   • Service delivery with a focus on the delivery of the  Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health, Gender and HIV. 
   • An assessment of the availability and accessibility of critical supplies, commodities, and human resources.
   • The extent to which communities were mobilised and informed of their rights in relation to SRHR, HIV, and GBV.
   • The extent to which services provided met the needs of adolescent girls and young women, people living with HIV, people living with disabilities and the key populations in particular LGBTQI, MSM, injecting drug users and sex workers. 
   • The extent to which the response strengthened the overall health system to deliver integrated SRHR services. 
5. Undertake country visits and conduct key informant interviews, focus group discussions to obtain insights into the preparedness, delivery, and optimization of integrated SRHR, HIV, and GBV service delivery; write up brief findings for each country.
6. Based upon the literature review, stakeholder consultations and country visits, draft a report that includes background, methodology, findings and a set of recommendations to guide the preparedness, delivery, and optimization of integrated SRHR/HIV/SGBV service delivery in humanitarian early recovery and development phases.
7. Develop a powerpoint and present findings and recommendations in a regional webinar.
8. Finalize the report incorporating feedback from technical reviewers and the webinar.

KEY DELIVERABLES and TIMELINES:

QUALIFICATION and REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: Postgraduate university degree in public health, social sciences, economics or related field
• Work experience: 8-10 years of professional experience at the international level, including field experience with expertise in SRHR/HIV/SGBV programmes in humanitarian settings
• Experience working with UN is an advantage
• Prior working experience in Eastern and Southern Africa dealing with SRHR in humanitarian settings is an advantage
• Experience and skills in working with various partners and across sectors 
• Experience in humanitarian settings and internally displaced persons, with a particular focus on adolescent girls and young women, key populations and persons with disabilities is desirable
• Language: Excellent English oral and written communication skills, Portuguese speaking is an advantage.

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Desk review with shortlisted candidates requested to submit:

1. Cover letter.
2. Expression of interest (EOI) demonstrating an understanding of the terms of reference and proposing the consultant’s approach to the assignment.
3. Financial quote as a daily rate and lump sum for professional fees, and lump sum for travel/administrative/per diems, if applicable. (Opened after technical clearance)
4. CV
5. At least 2 Referees
6. P 11 form - which can be downloaded from https://www.unfpa.org/resources/p11-un-personal-history-form

Candidates should provide required documentation via email to Pumla Golimpi (golimpi@unfpa.org). Email Subject: Application to undertake consultancy titled “Toward improving SRHR outcomes in humanitarian settings: A review of literature and country experiences in ESA region” by 6 November 2019, 5 pm Johannesburg local time.

Late submissions, incomplete packets, or submissions with an incorrect email subject heading will not be considered.

Successful applicants may be invited for further technical assessment.