Solthis is an international solidarity NGO whose aim is to improve the health of populations, particularly those most at risk, in countries with limited resources, and to strengthen their access to healthcare.
We focus on prevention, equitable access to quality healthcare and services for all, and respect for the rights of all, by sustainably strengthening healthcare systems and services in the countries where we operate. Our action is based on three modes of intervention : capacity building, operational research and advocacy. Historically, Solthis’ work focused on the fight against HIV/AIDS, before extending to other priorities such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), infectious and emerging diseases, and the One Health concept. Solthis operates mainly in West Africa. In the area of SRHR, Solthis has been working since 2016 on the basis of its institutional positioning[1]Â and its SRHR intervention framework. The organization implements projects targeting different components of the SRHR care continuum (cervical cancer, comprehensive sexual education, maternal health, STI/HIV, GBV, etc.) and, taking into account the specific needs of certain audiences (adolescents and young people, sex workers, people living with HIV).
Solthis has been working in Sierra Leone since 2011. The organization has set up various projects to strengthen the healthcare system and to fight HIV/AIDS. In the country, access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for adolescents and young women and men (AY) remains limited due to numerous obstacles (early marriage, taboos, low socio-economic status, lack of information and decision-making power, etc.), leading to early and/or unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and a high maternal mortality rate, particularly among adolescents and young women. In Sierra Leone, UNFPA counted 717 maternal deaths per 100,000 births in 2019[2]Â , one of the highest rates in the world, and an estimated 40% of these occur among adolescent girls[3]Â .
Based on these needs, Solthis submitted a concept note to AFD (French Development Agency) which was accepted. The proposed project aims to contribute to improving access to and quality of SRH services and SRH rights for young people and adolescents, particularly young women and adolescent girls, aged between 10 and 24. The project is to be implemented in the districts of Western area urban, Western area rural, Kambia and Makeni. The planned intervention revolves around 3 expected results :
Among the thematics targeted by the intervention are the development of specific activities for the prevention and management of unitended pregnancies, the monitoring and support of early pregnancies, and the analysis and prevention of gyneco-obstetric violence (GOV), notably through the introduction of humanized childbirth models.
With this in mind, Solthis is looking for an international or national consultant to carry out an exploratory mission in the field of SRHR in the country. This will enable us, on the basis of the concept note already drawn up, to collect the main elements needed to draw up a complete proposal.
The consultant is expected to work closely with the Solthis Country Director based in Freetown.
Freetown and possible regional travel, with some remote work.
Between 10 and 12 days of service. Ideally during the second half of October 2023 or early November.
[1]Â https://www.solthis.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/solthis-note-de-positionnement-dssr-2.pdf
[2]Â https://sierraleone.unfpa.org/en/who-we-are
[3]Â Bash-Taqi R, Watson K, Akwara E, Adebayo E, Chandra-Mouli V, From commitment to implementation: lessons learned from the first National Strategy for the reduction of teenage pregnancy in Sierra Leone. Sex reproductive health matters. 2020;28(1):1818376.
Please send your application in English containing detailed CV, methodological note (3/4 pages), three (3) references, dates of availability during the period and financial proposal in euros (EUR) including all logistical costs of the field mission to : sandrine.bouille@solthis.org with « Consultancy SRHR Sierra Leone » in the subject line until October 18, 2023 at 5 pm (Paris time).
Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.
Tagged as: Sierra Leone, SOLTHIS
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