Job Identification : 11261
Locations : Mbabane, Eswatini
Posting Date : 06/07/2023, 08:44 AM
Apply Before : 06/16/2023, 03:59 AM
Job Schedule : Part time
Grade : P4
Vacancy Type : Temporary
Rotational/Non Rotational : Non-Rotational
Contract Duration : 5 months
Education and Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience
Required Languages : Must be fluent in English.
Vacancy Timeline : 1 Week
Job Category : Sexual & Reproductive Health
Job Description
Background
UNFPA, in its strategic plan 2022-2025, focuses on accelerating progress towards the achievement of the three transformative results: (a) ending unmet need for family planning and modern contraceptives; (b) ending preventable maternal deaths; and (c) ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.
The strategic direction of UNFPA contributes directly to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in line with the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Eswatini is striving to achieve all 3 transformative results, especially in ending preventable maternal deaths and in ending Gender Based Violence (GBV) including other harmful practices such as child marriage. Unlike in ending the unmet need for family, progress on these two transformative results has been slow.
The country faces challenges in maternal and newborn health as evidenced in its Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) which currently sit at 452 per 100 000 and 19 per 1000 live births respectively. This is despite high ANC attendance (98%) and high skilled birth attendance (88%). Previous assessments on maternal health seem to suggest that the main issue revolves around quality of care. This is also confirmed by the Triennial Maternal Death Audit report, 2014-2016 which cites preventable causes of maternal death especially pregnancy induced hypertension and post-partum hemorrhage as the leading causes of maternal deaths.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is of public concern. One in 3 women reports having been sexually violated by the time they are 18 years. Whilst addressing GBV has remained a priority to the Government of Eswatini, this does not seem to have made much impact in transforming behavioral change among perpetrators.
It is worth noting that the SRH budget seems to be of a less priority to Government as 79% is financed externally (Eswatini Health & SRH Financing brief, 2021).
Purpose and Objectives
Undertaking investment cases in ending preventable maternal deaths and in ending GBV and harmful practices will help us better understand the needs, funding flows and gaps pertaining to transformative in-country plans and provide a clear and up-to-date analysis of maternal health and GBV services needs and gaps, in-country plans and options of how to step up efforts to meet needs in a sustainable manner. The impact 40 website https://www.impact40.org/ provides useful tools for estimating the costs of programmes.
The output document will be used to engage government and other stakeholders to bolster progress to the achievement of the SDGs and Agenda 2030.
Scope of work
The consultancy team comprising of one international consultant and one national consultant will undertake the following;
- Make an analysis of the maternal health and GBV landscape in Eswatini, including major (ongoing) policy shifts (global and national) and their implications.
- Analyze the current funding situation of maternal health and of GBV through analysis of in-country funding flows for maternal health and GBV.
- Develop study tools in which key study questions may include (without being exhaustive):
- How is maternal health and a GBV free Eswatini contributing to economic growth?
- How could failure to invest in maternal health and ending GBV increase social demand and fail development initiatives?
- What are the financial resources that go into maternal health and in ending GBV in Eswatini?
- What will happen if donors stop funding maternal health and programmes that fight GBV in Eswatini today?
- Outline potential innovative strategies and options to meet needs, to increase and to sustain funding for maternal health and for a GBV free Eswatini.
- Clarify the economic benefits of investing in maternal health and GBV free Eswatini in the mid- and long-term; estimate the return on investment for ending preventable maternal death and GBV free Eswatini (including with an analysis of innovative financing approaches that would facilitate tapping into domestic/household finance as contributions to meeting overall needs).
- Develop a roadmap for financing maternal health and a GBV free Eswatini at the national level taking into account the fiscal space of the country, identifying who, when, how, and what affects the decision making of domestic resource allocation for maternal health services and commodities.
- Develop an implementation plan of the maternal health and a GBV free Eswatini business case towards financial sustainability along with its monitoring and evaluation framework.
Deliverables and Timeframe
The assignment is spread over a period of 5 months, starting from 1st July to 30th November 2023.However, the consultant shall be effectively engaged for 45 working days.
The deliverables are:
- An Inception report
- Situational analysis on maternal health and on GBV.
- An investment case Report on Ending Preventable Maternal Death, inclusive of a roadmap for financing maternal health at the national level and a monitoring and evaluation framework.
Management and Organization
The day-to-day work of the consultant will be monitored by MoH in close collaboration with the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office – Department of Gender and Family Issues and UNFPA, Program Analyst – Population and Development with the overall oversight of the UNFPA Head of Office.
Qualifications and Competencies
The Consultant must have the following:
- Advanced/ Master’s degree university degree in health economics, health financing or a related field.
- At least 7 years of progressive professional experience in development, design of health financing and health economics-related documents in developing countries.
- Demonstrated successful experience in developing evidence-based publications, investment cases, financial sustainability plans, policy briefs, strategies, guidelines, reports.
- Experience in working in Africa, especially with Governments or UN systems, will be an asset.
- Fluency in English with excellent writing, analytical and communication skills.
To apply
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications should submit their letter of expression of interest, proposal and budget (with clear daily rate) including CVs to UNFPA PA/Human Resources Associate, Ms. Sally Mlotsa, emails; mlotsa@unfpa.org or hand deliver it to UNFPA, UN House, 4th floor, Phone: +268 2409 6600. Applications should have a cover letter, curriculum vitae, certified copies of certificates, names and contacts of three referees.
Deadline for applications: Thursday, 15th June 2023.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Disclaimer:
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm
In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
