The Consultant reports directly to the RHCS Technical Specialist and working in close collaboration with the Country Government and UNFPA staff.
One of the key areas of support for the Transformative Agenda Program and UNFPA Supplies Program for PICTs is to support countries in national data collection processes such as census, DHS and data analysis and dissemination of these data.
Family planning (FP) and related issues are often highly sensitive and programme progress depends on multi-pronged strategies in supply, demand, access and quality of care programming as well as knowledge management and creating the enabling environment. To create demand and ensure adequate supply, it is pertinent for FP services and demand generation activities to be tailored to identify subgroups, especially those with unmet needs. Additionally, the need for increased resource mobilization for FP programmes has made it imperative to demonstrate that increased investments will lead to measurable and desired results.
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 new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
UNFPA Supplies works in 46 countries including Pacific Island Countries to:
• Ensure the consistent, secure supply of contraceptives in-country right up to service delivery level
• Strengthen in-country supply chain management system and related national capacity enhancement [forecasting and needs assessment; LMIS, procurement, stock management and tracking; partnerships with manufacturers including pre-qualification and quality assurance right up to delivery of commodities to the service delivery points; physical infrastructure including appropriate storage, warehousing, distribution, etc.];
• Ensure appropriate location, orientation and resourcing of service provision [adapted to effectively meet needs—including with broad method mix—of different population segments and able to reach underserved/marginalized groups].
The data extracted from country health information systems will inform and support efforts of national governments to respond to commodity stock-outs.
Scope of Work
Under the supervision of the RHCS Technical Specialist and overall supervision of the PSRO Sub Office Director:
The Consultant will have a key responsibility for managing on-going programme activities, research & networking, communications and monitoring and evaluation for the UNFPA Supplies program, including technical support for last mile assurance for commodity and supplies.
S/he will be part of the UNFPA PSRO Technical team, which provides integrated programme and technical support within a system strengthening approach fundamental to implementation of UNFPA Supplies program's overall strategy in the Pacific.
A. Programme Management and Technical support
Coordinate the inputs to work plan development and implementation and quality of programming in accordance to UNFPA Supplies Program documents in the 14 PICT countries;
a. Gather inputs and contribute to the preparation of work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports;
b. Establish systems for project planning, implementation and monitoring, in collaboration with implementing partners;
c. Monitor the allocation and disbursement of funds to implementing partners;
d. Support technical development of UNFPA staff;
e. Record and maintain documents on Programme activities, issues, and risks.
B. Advocacy, Knowledge Management and Communication support
a. Document the program implementation process and products for UNFPA and contribute to the exchange of information and provide inputs to the development of knowledge products internally and externally
b. Ensure compliance with UNFPA communications guidelines and support development of communications materials which support the achievements of the UNFPA Supplies Program. Coordinate advocacy events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products working closely in partnership with country staff.
C. Monitoring and Evaluation support
a. Gather and compile all information necessary for monitoring and reporting on the UNFPA Supplies program from the planning to the evaluation stages;
b. Monitor the implementation of activities and the expenditure of funds; conduct regular monitoring visits, as required;
c. Draft and provide inputs to annual and quarterly reports; coordinate the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;
d. Carry out monitoring missions to sites of field implementation periodically
e. Provide inputs from program activities and results to UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office reports
The specific tasks for this position will include;
· Undertake desk review of the Country Situation Analysis.
· Provide technical inputs to data collection tool, analysis and reports.
· Provide technical support to desk review of service statistics and logistics statistics as well as collation of national FP/RHCS data using the National Health Management Information System (HMIS) and National Logistics Management Information System (LMIS)
· Provide technical support to spot checks of National and Zonal Warehouses in 8 PICT countries
· Collate and conduct data entry of Health Facility and Country level logistics data using the standardized Quarterly or Monthly RHCS reports and Monthly Summary Forms (including m-Supply and Tupaia)
· Analyze logistics and service data to generate Tables, Charts and Graphs; and provide basic interpretation of the results by country, sub-national (provincial, divisional or by island groups) as well as regional.
· Generate consumption, stock on hand, stock-out and other relevant reports to facilitate requests for supply, forecasting, inventory, etc.
· Prepare feedback reports to country warehouses that inform appropriate decision making and follow up action on FP/RHCS
· Provide technical support to in-country inventory stock counts and reconciliations on quarterly basis
· Liaises with the UNFPA Technical staff and Country staff on data management with particular attention to review and validate data capture/entry, data collation, data coding and analysis of the dataset and the reporting of indicators (SIS)
· Prepare inputs into the narrative report, including interpreting Tables, Charts and Graphs, and providing further analysis and triangulations in line with best practice and standard format.
· Provision of evidence-based data for decision making into advocacy efforts and resource mobilization with donors (including participation in meetings with technical staff and donors)
· Carry out any other duties as may be required by the PSRO Director Representative or Deputy Director.
Deliverables
a) Desk review of Quarterly Reports of distribution and consumption of contraceptives in 14 PICT countries
b) Quarterly Data capture for the 14 PICT countries of Issues, Requests, Receipts, Losses etc
c) Requests for commodities by Country Warehouses and Dashboards on status of commodities based on consumption profile
d) Monthly and Quarterly desk review of data from other sources including NHMIS data and Service statistics from FP programs with focus on Family Planning and RH indicators;
e) Knowledge Management and documentation support using data repositories such as Google drive, Tupaia and m-supply regional hub
Expected Travel
The consultant will be based in Suva, Fiji with 30% of work time allocated to travel to the 14 PICT countries and work in close liaison with the relevant UNFPA Country Staff, the PSRO Technical staff (UNFPA RH Technical Advisor and UNFPA RHCS Technical Specialist).
Working Hours
The working hours will be 8am to 5.30pm from Monday to Thursday and 8am to 2pm on Fridays. Consultant is required to work 5 days in a week.
Requirements and Qualification
Education:
Advanced University Degree in International Development, Social Science, Public Health, Medicine or other related field with experience in Gender programming and Reproductive Health, especially in the field of population and development required;
Knowledge and Experience:
• At least 2 years of professional experience, and strong technical knowledge and expertise in the field of population and development in developing countries.
• Demonstrated strong skills in data analysis and report writing;
• Familiarity with issues related to demographic and health matters in developing countries;
• Knowledge of UNFPA programming processes, proposal/project development and monitoring and evaluation, and Programme management skills will be an asset
• Thorough understanding of the social, economic and political context of Pacific Island Countries is desirable;
• Excellent command of oral and written English is essential.
• Willingness and capability to undertake duty travel.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to work independently and take initiatives
• Good knowledge of MS office packages, SPSS and Stata and Epi Info
• Strong interpersonal, planning and organizational skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
Core Competencies
i) Values: Exemplifying integrity, demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, embracing cultural diversity, Embracing change
ii) Core Competencies: Achieving results, being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, Communicating for impact
iii) Required Skillset:
• Strong written and oral communication skills, particularly in relation to facilitation and advocacy;
• Analytical skills to support implementation of the GBV programme.
• Strong strategic thinking in order to support strengthening key relationships
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization
• Strategically positioning UNFPA Programme
Languages:
• Fluency in oral and written English is essential.
Other Desirable Skills:
• Prior experience in Pacific
Inputs:
- Office space
- Travel costs within the Pacific to support the project implementation
The consultant is required to bring his/her own laptop.
How to apply:
- Register your profile in the UNFPA Consultant Roster via https://www.unfpa.org/unfpa-consultant-roster and
- Submit cover letter/proposal stating how you meet the above criteria, CV and your consultancy daily fee by email to vacanciespsro@unfpa.org by midnight on 3rd March 2020 with title: “Consultant- RHCS Data Analysis & Management Specialist”.