Baseline Assessment for the Enhanced HR for SRH/GBV Project (EHR4SRH/GBV) Consultancy

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANCY

Baseline Assessment for the Enhanced HR for SRH/GBV Project (EHR4SRH/GBV)

TERMS OF REFERENCE (to be completed by Hiring Office)

Hiring Office:

UNFPA South Sudan Country Office – (Monitoring and Evaluation)

Purpose of consultancy:

1. Background/Project Summary

UNFPA South Sudan have secured funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development for a five-year project to strengthen the human resources for improved sexual reproductive health and Gender based violence prevention and management. There is a considerable need to strengthen South Sudan’s health sector, which is characterized by a limited availability of basic health services, a shortage of drugs and medical supplies, a critical shortage of functional health facilities with poor access, and a severe shortage of skilled health care workers, as well as entrenched socio-cultural norms that perpetuates gender inequality. These realities combined with decades of conflict have contributed to the country’s worst health indicators in the world, especially for women and girls. Women’s and girls’ poor health outcomes are further exacerbated by a lack of awareness of their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), a predominantly patriarchal society undermining their autonomy to make informed decisions about their own health care, widespread gender-based violence (GBV), and inadequate SRHI GBV policy and legal frameworks to protect and empower women and girls to timely report and access.

This project aims to increase the realization of the health and rights of women and girls in South Sudan by increasing the availability of skilled health care providers, positively changing attitudes toward SRHR and combating GBV, community engagement for positive gender norms and supporting the government to develop and implement related policies and legislative frameworks. It will build on the successes of, and lessons learned from Canada’s previous support to UNFPA through the six-year Strengthening Midwifery Services in South Sudan, Phase 2 project and two previous projects targeting midwifery education and deploying midwives across the country.

2.0 Expected Results

The Project is expected to deliver the following results:

Ultimate Outcome: Increased realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights by women and girls in South Sudan

Intermediate outcomes:

1. Increased use of gender responsive SRHR and GBV services by women and girls, especially those living in vulnerable situations
2. Strengthened enabling environment at the national, state and local level for women and girls’ access to SRHR and GBV services

Immediate outcomes:

1. Strengthened capacity of targeted national and state-level health facilities to provide quality integrated SRH, GBV, and HIV services
2. Increased awareness among men, boys, women, and girls to use gender responsive SRH, GBV, and HIV services
3. Strengthened capacities of health training institutions to produce quality human resources for SRH, GBV and HIV services
4. Improved national and state government capacities to develop and implement SRH, GBV and HIV policies, legislation, and coordination mechanisms

The project is expected to improve health personnel education of over 5,000 health workers including midwives, nurses, clinical officers, and laboratory technicians, and train and deploy 80 tutors to health training institutes and strengthen targeted practicum sites in South Sudan. It is also expected to reach 7,000 people through the services of One Stop Centres for survivors of GBV, and further reach 500,000 people through information and messaging on SRHR GBV. Overall, four million people are expected to be reached with SRHR services and information through this project.

In this regard, a consulting firm is being recruited to collect baseline data and develop a database and frame to track and monitor achievement of the results.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

3. Baseline Study Objectives:

1. Collect baseline information on output and outcome indicators, which are key to the measurement of achievement of project results as shown in the log frame
2. Develop a database and frame (data collection methods and tools) covering all the indicators.

4. Methodology and approach

The methodology used will be determined by the indicators for which the baselined are being established. The baseline should be based on the OECD DAC criteria of assessment. Data collection will employ a mix of:

1. Structured facility assessment covering the targeted health facilities and HSIs using facility assessments checklists
2. Review and analysis of existing data from DHIS2/HMIS and/or review of facility records
3. Review of existing assessment reports and documents from HSIs and targeted health facilities
4. Population Based Survey for the few behaviours change related indicators (if data can’t be gotten from the routing information systems)
5. State and community level assessment particularly for End Child Marriage initiatives
6. Observations in the project areas, with observations made on service provision, among others.
7. Key informant interview

5. Technical and geographical scope

Overall, the process will be participatory and consultative with key stakeholders. The consultant’s technical scope of work will entail:

1. *Inception phase:*The consultant will conduct a review of available documentation and develop an inception including clear baseline methodology, work plan/methodology and data collection tools in consultation with the M&E Unit and relevant project staff. The consultant will pre-test and refine the baseline survey tool
2. Field work/Data collection: Field visits will be conducted to collect the necessary data using the agreed upon tools for both primary and secondary data. The fieldwork will be organized based on catchment of the proposed project location, accessibility and ability to mobilize the respondents within a short period of time.
3. Data analysis and report writing: The consultant will analyse the collected data and consequently generate the baseline survey report.

The project sites, geographical scope and indicators for the baseline survey are indicated below. All sites and locations will have to be covered

Category

Name

Teaching Hospitals

1. Wau,
2. Malakal,
3. Juba

6 PHCCs (2 per hospital)

State hospitals

1. Yambio,
2. Rumbek,
3. Jonglei,
4. Torit

8 PHCCs (2per Hospital)

Other Hospitals

1. Yei
2. Maridi
3. Kuajok
4. Aweil
5. Bentiu

Health Sciences Institutes 10 0r 13?

1. JCONAM,
2. Maridi,
3. Kajo Keji
4. Jubek
5. Torit
6. Yambio
7. Yei
8. Rumbek
9. Kuajok
10. Aweil
11. Wau
12. Bor
13. Malakal

GBV and Child Marriage: GBV One Stop Centre sand State/community CM

Juba

Bor

Rumbek

Yambio

Torit

Annex 1 and 2 provide details of the indicators for which baselines will be collected by locations/program focus areas

Duration and working schedule:

Timeline

The Baseline Study is expected to be conducted over a period of 30 working days.

Study Phase

Number of Days

Inception Phase: Development and presentation of Inception Reports (methodology, workplan, tools)

5 days

Field Phase (Primary and Secondary data collection based on agreed methodology and tools)

20 days

Data analysis

Project/site specific data will be analyzed as part of the data collection

Reporting

5 Days

Total

30 days

Place where services are to be delivered:

The consulting firm members are expected to operate from UNFPA-Juba Office as well as Field locations as highlighted in the geographical scope

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

Deliverables

1. Baseline Inception Report
2. Draft Baseline Survey Report
3. Final Baseline Survey
4. Project Database
5. A presentation of the baseline survey findings
6. A two-pager briefing Note on the baseline survey findings

At inception phase, the consultant will develop detailed baseline work plan

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

Supervisory arrangements:

Survey oversight and management

• An oversight team comprising of UNFPA, Ministry of Health, Gender Child, and Social Welfare will be established to provide oversight for the baseline survey
• The UNFPA M&E unit will provide technical management and supervision for the survey
• The consultant will prepare weekly updates to UNFPA and the oversight team

Expected travel:

The Consulting firm members are expected to undertake travels in the country during the survey

Required expertise, qualifications, and competencies, including language requirements:

Required Knowledge and Experience:

1. The consulting firm should have experience in conducting related baseline surveys including in South Sudan, the regions, and in humanitarian contexts
2. Qualification and Skills: The Team leader, as well as team members, should have a degree in Medicine and a master’s degree in medical-related fields like Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Personnel Education, etc or Social Sciences
3. General professional experience: Minimum five (5) years of relevant and proven professional experience in Reproductive Health and GBV
4. Specific professional experience: Experience in conducting surveys, facility assessments analytical report writing, or large-scale research
5. Language skills: Excellent writing and speaking skills in English.

Other desired skills include good diplomatic skills and experience interacting with government agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA will provide support services including transport, telephone airtime and required stationary for consultants based on agreed upon costs estimates

Modality of payment

Upon completion of Inception phase 40%

Submission of draft report 30%

Final submission 20%

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

The proposed lead consultant of the firm will be recruited at P3 UNFPA level for International and national at NOC.

Tagged as: South Sudan, United Nations Population Fund