National Consultancy - Endline Evaluation on Access to Family Planning

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, working to ensure that every individual has access to sexual and reproductive health services and rights. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly in areas related to family planning, maternal health, gender equality, and population data. UNFPA's mission is to promote the health and rights of women and young people, and it emphasizes the importance of evidence-based policies and programs to address the unmet needs in reproductive health and rights.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to conduct an endline evaluation of the EMPOWER Private Sector Strengthening Project, focusing on family planning access in Uganda. The consultant will assess the project's performance, document lessons learned, develop actionable policy briefs, and prepare a peer-reviewed journal publication. The evaluation will involve analyzing the project's achievements against planned outcomes, assessing market sustainability, and evaluating the effectiveness of regulatory systems. The consultant will engage with various stakeholders, including public and private health sectors, to gather insights and data necessary for a comprehensive evaluation. The overall objective is to synthesize evidence-based learnings that can inform national policy and contribute to global health literature.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Evaluate the performance of the EMPOWER Phase II project against planned outcome and output targets, using OECD-DAC criteria and the FCDO 5Es Value for Money framework.
• Assess the sustainability and financial viability of private clinics, pharmacies, and drug shops in delivering family planning services without external subsidies.
• Analyze the effectiveness of regulatory and Last-Mile Assurance systems in preventing commodity leakage from public to private sectors.
• Formulate evidence-based investment recommendations for continued support from development partners.
• Document lessons learned and best practices from the project, capturing operational insights and innovative models.
• Develop actionable policy briefs for key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and private sector health federations.
• Prepare a peer-reviewed journal article for submission to a high-impact global health journal.
• Conduct data collection through mixed-methods approaches, including quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure a participatory evaluation process.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• Evaluation Specialist - Team Lead: An advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Public Health, Biostatistics, Health Economics, Demography, Evaluation, Development Economics, or related fields. A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in reproductive health, family planning, or related areas, with demonstrated expertise in evaluating Total Market Approach initiatives. Proven skills in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and familiarity with FCDO/UKAID evaluation standards.
• Family Planning Programme Evaluation Specialist: A minimum of a Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or related fields, with at least 5 years of experience in public health research or programme evaluations. Experience in sexual and reproductive health and demonstrated knowledge of OECD-DAC Evaluation Criteria is preferred.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree relevant to the field of public health, evaluation, or related disciplines. For the Evaluation Specialist - Team Lead position, a Master's or PhD is required, while the Family Planning Programme Evaluation Specialist requires at least a Master's degree. Additional qualifications such as a PhD will be considered an advantage.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience in the field, with the Evaluation Specialist - Team Lead needing a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, particularly in reproductive health and family planning evaluations. The Family Planning Programme Evaluation Specialist should have at least 5 years of experience in conducting public health research or evaluations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent analytical, report writing, presentation, and communication skills. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted over a period of 30 man-days, from August 20 to October 15, 202

• The consultant will be required to travel to the program districts of Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono for data collection. The work will involve close collaboration with UNFPA teams and stakeholders, ensuring adherence to ethical standards and obtaining necessary approvals for research activities. The position emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.