National Consultants

 World Health Organization (WHO)

National Consultants - SAMARTH - (2005027)  

Grade: No grade

Contractual Arrangement: External consultant

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): One year or more

 

Job Posting : Jan 13, 2021, 12:38:50 PM

Closing Date : Jan 28, 2021, 4:29:00 AM

Primary Location : India-New Delhi

Organization : SE_IND WR Office, India

Schedule : Full-time

 

External Description - Classified Position

External Description - No classified position exists

SRHR Global Programme

Promoting and protecting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is crucial to the wellbeing of all people and to enabling them to contribute to the overall development of their communities and societies. The World Health Organization’s (WHO), 13th General Program of Work (GPW 13) recognises that access to SRHR can only be fully achieved through Universal Health Coverage (UHC), promotion of better health and well-being, and meeting the needs of those living in humanitarian settings, i.e. all three of WHO’s strategic priorities.  

The framework of GPW 13 builds on the existing expertise and long standing work on SRHR at WHO, committing the organization to make the strategic shift of stepping up its leadership on this issue so as not to leave anyone behind and ensure it has the capacity to support countries to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services (Sustainable Development Goal 3.7) and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights (Sustainable Development Goal 5.6) and to reduce  maternal mortality (Sustainable Development Goal 3.1). Target 3.8 to Achieve Universal Health Coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all includes the RMNCAH+N services to be delivered at Primary Healthcare Level is also a key pillar of this initiative.

 

Country Programme

In 2019, WHO in collaboration with the respective Regional Offices (RO) and respective WHO Country Office (WCO) rolled out a new multi-country initiative to strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and services within the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Framework and ultimately support national strategies to reduce maternal mortality and achieve SDG targets though a health systems approach.

India is a key focus country for this initiative and WHO is committed to supporting the MoHFW for the implementation of the project. Under the SRHR initiative, re-named SAMARTH (Sustain-Accelerate-Mainstream Access to Reproductive Health Through Health-systems), activities in India focus on prioritizing family planning (FP), adolescents sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), comprehensive abortion care (CAC), Health System Strengthening (HSS) and Aspirational Districts (AD) through national level support.

The consultants will be responsible for working closely with the MoHFW and WHO National and State level officers. The consultants will work as a part of a team of experienced staff working on SRHR, health systems, adolescent sexual and reproductive health both within the MoHFW and WCO. Consultants must have excellent research, writing and communication skills. This position is based in New Delhi, India and remuneration will be commensurate with experience.

 

OBJECTIVES:

Mainstream the SAMARTH initiative in the country and provide direct support to the MoHFW and WHO for implementing activities under this initiative.

Work with the Technical Officer for Reproductive Health and the MoHFW respective divisions as a part of the national Technical support unit (TSU) at Nirman Bhawan.

Ensure that the SAMARTH program achieves considerable traction in discussions at national level and its subsequent state and district level implementation.

 

SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work includes but not limited to: -

Support ongoing SAMARTH activities and program. Participate as part of a team to conceptualize and implement sexual and reproductive health (SRH) activities.

Develop written materials in a range of formats including publications for the RHR initiative activities, meetings, policy dialogues and short-form analyses.

Support the preparation and/or revision of communication materials and capacity building activities or products related to SAMARTH.

Assist with national and Regional SAMARTH meetings. Support the ministry in implementing the program activities through states’ Project Implementation Plan (PIP). The goal is to ensure integrated SRH with Comprehensive Primary Health Care in PIPs to ensure that the activities are scaled up and budgetary safeguard are made for future scale-up.

Provide technical and administrative support to the Country Office as needed. Represent the WHO India in advocacy and outreach activities within the Ministry, relevant government agencies, key coalitions, and the network of SRH and UHC stakeholders.

Development of IEC materials for mass awareness and sensitization of the SAMARTH initiative. Publications and review of local/national data SRH & Health Systems studies and reports.

Provide Technical Support and collaborate on the development, rollout and implementation of programmes in the areas of health systems development, health services organization with a special focus on RMNCAH+N services and supporting universal health coverage.

As there are multiple positions, additional scope of work for each area include: -

Co-ordination (NoB/NoC): Support WHO’s engagement and technical activities with other ministries and state governments in relation to SRH. This includes but is not limited to - setting up the National RHR Technical Advisory Group (TAG), attending intergovernmental or inter-agency meetings, supporting documentation, reviewing technical documents and policy briefs. Engage with health working groups and undertake dialogues for reviewing, supporting and co-ordination of the SRH program with States officers. Support preparation of Annual PIP (program implementation plans) with focus on integrated SRHR.

Family Planning (NoB/NoC): To advocate use of SRHR indicators in the review and workshops and support conduct National/Regional review meetings on FP and integrated service delivery with MoHFW. Provide technical and programmatic support at national level in implementation of FP logistic management information system (FP-LMIS) in 10 High-priority states, facilitate and provide technical support in updating RMNCAH+N counsellor manual and finalization of the same.   

Comprehensive Abortion Care (NoB): Consultant to also work on supporting establishment of Model CAC training and service delivery centres and evaluation of Model CAC training and service delivery centre in the country, support the establishment of national CAC facilities dashboard. The consultant would support the updation of National CAC guidelines following the abortion law change and assist in the review of the quality of medical abortion drugs. Key deliverable will also include development of a costed action plan for CAC services in the country. 

Adolescent Reproductive Health (NoB): Support in assessing SRHR laws/ policies-barriers to accessing quality services particularly legal age of marriage and submission of report thereof. Support preparation of high-quality, simple and easy to administer resource toolkit (including FAQs, GIFs, Factsheets and Policy briefs) as part of SRHR Resource Toolkit aimed at strengthening the capacity of counselors and frontline functionaries to provide SRH services. Support expansion of national CAC facilities dashboard including adolescent health dashboard. Support updating of RMNCAH counsellor manual and subsequent trainings of Adolescent Health Counsellors. 

Health System Strengtheheing (NoB): Collaborate with staff across the Ministry to bring a robust perspective to the range of our communications and research activities. Serve as a leading voice on RHR and UHC, especially related to domestic family planning, adolescent RHR and comprehensive abortion care services at the Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs). Prioritse integrated service delivery policy and program at HWCs urban and rural. 

Free Drugs and Diagnostics - Lead (NoB) and Program Support (NoA): provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) as part of an inter-disciplinary team to strengthen the implementation of the ‘Free Drugs and Diagnostics Schemes’ at the national and state level. This will

be to mainstream reproductive health within the comprehensive primary health care (CPHC) framework under the SAMARTH (Sustain-Accelerate-Mainstream Access to Reproductive-health Through Health-systems) initiative. Tasks include support to strengthen of Free Drugs and Diagnostics Services in the states (State level implementation, supply chain, regional consultation) including in the context of reproductive health services in all public health facilities in States/UTs. Support the strengthening of quality-assured in vitro diagnostics (regulation, production, innovation) with stakeholders with a focus on improving access to safe reproductive health commodities.

FP-LMIS (NoB): Support the implementation and roll out of FP-LMIS (Family Planning Logistics Management and Information System), including the establishment of a comprehensive data collection and reporting system across States. Institutionalize FP LMIS data for decision making by encouraging state and district reviews on same by concerned authorities. Ensure access to FP commodities at facility and community level by strengthening FP supplies and its reporting

Aspirational Districts (NoB): Liase with the AD unit at MoHFW and prioritize SRH indicator reporting. Update Health Atlas for Aspirational Districts. Health atlas is an important planning tool. Identification of additional SRHR indicators that can be included in health atlas (currently there are limited SRHR indicators in health atlas), updation of health atlas, dissemination of the same as an important planning tool for HSS in AD.  

Monitoring and Evaluation (NoB): Monitor, analyze, review and collate national SRH data, publications, reports, peer-reviewed studies and other related documentation as part of a working RHR literature database for India. Provide technical assistance and capacity building in conducting data analysis. Liase with relevant technical leads of Health System (Policy and planning Division) and SRMNCAH+N (sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health+ nutrition) within the WHO and MoHFW.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University Degree in Public Health (Master’s Level and above) or Medicine from an accredited/recognized institute. 

Desirable: Additional specialization in Reproductive Health / Health System Strengthening / Public Health Policy, Economics and Finance. 

 

Experience

Essential:

A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in supporting technical and programme management support for SRHR and/or HSS at the National Level. Demonstrated ability to understand and work on complex SRH policy and program issues in general and more specifically on family planning, adolescent health, preventing unsafe abortion, health system strengthening, primary health care AND/OR Aspirational Districts. Experience of working with multidisciplinary technical teams.

Desirable:

Relevant experience within the country especially within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Experience in health systems recovery and development, health services delivery in emergencies, extension of health care services to underserved populations/areas and developing strategies to overcome barriers to accessing health care services, including essential medicines and implementing abortion and post-abortion research or programs in low and/or middle-income countries.

Experience in providing programmatic and/or technical assistance through or within the UN system. Proven track record of strong writing skills.

 

Skills:

The incumbent will have a sound technical knowledge of the public health aspects especially in the fields of unsafe abortion, family Planning, adolescent and sexual reproductive health, skills in policy development, planning and monitoring health systems especially at Primary Health Level.

S/he will have a demonstrated ability to work with multiple external partners and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders both within and outside of the UN system.

Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize and communicate complex concepts and ideas verbally and in writing.

The incumbent will also exhibit tact and maturity in dealing with sensitive topics. Excellent interpersonal, negotiating, intercultural communication skills and political acumen.

 

WHO Competencies:

*1. Communication

*2. Fostering integration and teamwork.

*3. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

4. Moving forward in a changing environment

5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.

 

Language Skills: 

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English and Hindi

 

Duration of the assignment: 

One year (renewable)

For more information and online application click here