National Individual Consultant for the Baseline Study in Niassa Province

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a global agency established to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights. Its mission is to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on improving health outcomes for women and girls, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, and gender-based violence. The UNFPA Mozambique office is currently implementing the 'Health Improvements for Mothers, Neonates, and Adolescents in Niassa Province (HIMNA)' project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which aims to enhance access to essential health services for women and girls in Niassa province. The organization is committed to evidence-based advocacy and the holistic development of young people, with a focus on addressing the urgent health needs in Niassa, a province characterized by significant challenges in accessing healthcare services due to its remote location and low population density.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to establish baseline data for four districts in Niassa province as part of the HIMNA project. This data will be crucial for finalizing the design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and assessing its effectiveness. The consultant will collect data on key indicators related to maternal, neonatal, and adolescent health, including the percentage of pregnant women receiving adequate antenatal care, the number of trained community health activists, and the level of community knowledge regarding adolescent pregnancy prevention. The consultancy will employ a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the health landscape in the target districts. The consultant will be responsible for coordinating with implementing partners, training data collectors, and managing the data collection process, ultimately delivering a detailed baseline study report that will inform future interventions and policy decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Submitting an inception report that outlines the methodology, scope, and work plan for the baseline study.
• Developing and finalizing the baseline study questionnaire and field visit plan.
• Conducting training for data collectors and managing their work during the data collection phase.
• Collecting baseline data through surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews.
• Analyzing the collected data and preparing a draft baseline survey report.
• Presenting findings to UNFPA colleagues and incorporating feedback into the final report.
• Ensuring that all deliverables are submitted in a timely manner and in accordance with UNFPA guidelines.
• Managing logistics for field visits, including travel arrangements and coordination with local partners.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess a Master's degree in public health, international relations, social science, statistics, population studies, human rights, or gender studies, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence. Additionally, the consultant should have at least two years of professional experience in related fields, including knowledge of SRH and GBV project monitoring and evaluation, as well as experience in conducting baseline studies. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders are essential. The consultant should also demonstrate a commitment to confidentiality and ethical standards in data collection and reporting.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in a relevant field such as public health, international relations, social science, statistics, population studies, human rights, or gender studies is required. The focus should be on sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, ensuring that the consultant has a solid theoretical foundation and practical understanding of these critical areas.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of two years of professional experience in sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, and gender-related research projects. Experience in monitoring and evaluation of SRH and GBV projects, as well as conducting baseline studies, is highly desirable. The consultant should have completed at least three similar projects in various countries, particularly in East and Southern Africa, demonstrating a breadth of experience and adaptability to different contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Portuguese is mandatory for this position. The consultant should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, as the final report must be delivered in both English and Portuguese. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will last for a period of 60 working days, with the consultant expected to work remotely while also traveling to the target districts for data collection and key informant interviews. The consultant will be responsible for all travel-related costs, including per diem, flight tickets, and terminal costs. The deliverables will include an inception report, a final baseline study questionnaire, a draft baseline survey report, and a final report with findings presented to UNFPA colleagues. Payment will be made in installments based on the completion of specific deliverables, in accordance with UNFPA policy guidelines.