The Position:
South Africa conducted the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) in 1998, 2003 and 2016. Demographic and Health Surveys are a standard series of national level surveys, conducted every five years focus on population demographic and primary healthcare indicators using a core set of questionnaires and a standard implementation module developed by USAID DHS programme on collection of data on population health and access to healthcare provides internationally comparable country level data. The South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) conducted in 1998, 2003 and 2016 measured the following key indicators at national and provincial level:
● Maternal, new-born and child health.
● Reproductive health, fertility and contraception services.
● Management of non-communicable disease and risk factors.
● HIV prevalence, knowledge and behaviour of adults.
● Self-reported respiratory disease symptoms as well as peak flow.
● Women’s status (2016 SADHS).
The rapid changes in health and demographic indicators, expect that the country measures progress towards’ health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to obtain key data to assess key health needs. The DHS currently collects data to calculate approximately 30 of the indicators supporting the SDGs. For decades, DHS (https://dhsprogram.com/) has been a source for data on child mortality, nutrition, antenatal care coverage, maternal mortality, family planning, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, and access to clean water and sanitation facilities. In the most recent round of DHS (2018-2023) new topics have been added to the questionnaire to respond to the needs for data on household use of clean fuels and technology, as well as other indicators on sanitation and hygiene.
Country Program Needs
The national Department of Health (NDoH) has identified the need to implement the fourth SADHS not only to monitor progress to SDGs and National Development Plan (NDP), but to also provide essential data to inform policy and manage strategic programmes. The SADHS is instrumental in generating population health status indicators which are usedto monitor the health-related SDGs, indicators required by key international development partners.
On 25 and 26 April 2024, NDoH held a high-level meeting that brought together participants from multisectoral stakeholders who made inputs to the development of the content to be covered for the next SADHS. In preparation for the next phase, the key outputs will be the development of the workplan that will include the development of protocol, timelines for the implementation of the survey and budget. Essential reflections and recommendations from the technical meeting have been documented to facilitate ongoing reflection throughout the SADHS design phase
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
The purpose of this technical assistance is to assist NDoH to strengthen the capacity of the health research directorate and interaction with key stakeholders in development and finalization of the protocol and tools for the 4th SADHS. The technical assistance support is to strengthen the capacity within NDoH in planning, stakeholder consultations and to finalize the protocol tools for the 4th SADHS. A full survey protocol will specify all the processes of the survey and the responsibilities of all organizations involved in the survey. The protocol will describe the following:
● Major aspects of questionnaire content, modules and biomarkers.
● Sample size, number of sample points, stratification, and distribution by province, etc.
● Languages to be used for the questionnaires.
● Specific plans for pretesting and training of field staff.
● Number and composition of fieldwork teams and the responsibilities of each type of team member.
● Number and types of staff needed for data processing and analysis.
● Procedures for obtaining, transporting and storing blood samples and laboratory testing.
● Procedures for disposing of medical waste.
● Plans for data dissemination. The fieldwork or data collection will form the biggest component of the survey and will consist of field teams to cover all the clusters of the survey. The teams will consist of field workers, supervisors, nurses and drivers for the duration of the fieldwork which can last for six months. The department plans to start the process to appoint the fieldwork organization which will be done through the normal procurement processes. The specifications for the tender process will be critical and will outline the assumptions and pathways through which the prospective organization will be selected.
Scope of Work:
The scope of work for the assignment will include:
● To lead in the consultations process of the SADHS technical teams for the country’s questionnaire adaptation workshop.
● To plan for the consultation workshop on SADHS questionnaire adaptation workshop
● To capacitate programme staff on the development of the SADHS protocol
● To produce the draft specifications document of the SADHS fieldwork tender.
● To share the preliminary findings from the workshop on SADHS adaptation workshop.
● To map out potential technical data source Other outputs provide the NDoH with:
● Designing the tools for the meetings and consultations on questionnaire adaptation;
● Building participants' knowledge on survey planning process;
● Facilitate the production of survey protocol; and
● Facilitate the development of the draft specifications in collaborating with the survey team.
Deliverables:
● Draft questionnaires developed with inputs from stakeholders;
● Questionnaire adaptation workshop planned and outcomes drafted;
● Draft of the tender specifications document; and
● Formulation of the protocol outline and content
Duration of assignment
The assignment is for a duration 2 months: mid October to 20th December 2024
Place where services are to be delivered:
Consultancy will be home based and the consultant may be expected to travel to implementation sites.
Required expertise and qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
● Advanced degree (Masters) in Social Science, Public Health or other related field.
● 5 years of professional experience experience required
● Proven track record in population surveys, knowledge of the country’s disease burden and priorities.
● Demonstrable experience in questionnaire design and implementation, especially in Demographic and Health Surveys or country level surveys.
● Awareness of and knowledge of the specific cultural sensitivity, traditional arrangements, local government structures and functions, and other related dynamics in the province;
● Excellent report writing skills and presentation and facilitation skills
● Knowledge of the official major local languages in South Africa
● Understanding and experience working with UN agencies, national and provincial partners in similar programmes will be an added advantage.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
