NATIONAL CONSULTANT: MISP Readiness Awareness Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, working towards a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization is committed to achieving three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to sexual and reproductive health services, while also striving to recover lost gains and achieve its goals by 203

• The organization values principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, and who are committed to delivering high-impact results.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in assessing the readiness of primary and secondary health facilities in South Sudan to implement the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in emergencies. This position involves a comprehensive review of existing strategies, plans, and policies, as well as an assessment of systems, capacities, and gaps at both national and state levels. The consultant will be responsible for producing various reports, including an inception report, monthly progress reports, preliminary findings, and a final report that incorporates feedback from partners. The findings from this assessment will inform actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening the readiness and response mechanisms for delivering lifesaving SRH services in crisis situations. The consultant will also lead the development of a national emergency response plan in collaboration with the Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management Affairs and the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC).

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

• Assessment Design and Planning: Develop a detailed assessment framework and methodology aligned with global MISP guidelines, collaborate with stakeholders to tailor the assessment approach to the local context, and facilitate an inception meeting to present the assessment plan.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Conduct a desk review of relevant policies and strategies, perform key informant interviews and focus group discussions, visit selected health facilities to assess SRH service availability, and analyze the readiness of health systems to implement MISP components.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy: Facilitate consultative meetings and a validation workshop, engage with government counterparts and local organizations, and advocate for the integration of MISP readiness in emergency response plans.
• Reporting and Recommendations: Develop a comprehensive report summarizing key findings and actionable recommendations, provide a prioritized action plan, and present findings to stakeholders in a validation meeting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, Social Sciences, or a related field. They should have at least 7 years of experience in SRH programming in humanitarian or emergency settings, with proven experience in conducting assessments, evaluations, or research in low-resource environments. A strong knowledge of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH in emergencies is essential, along with experience working with government health systems, humanitarian organizations, and community-based actors.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, or Social Sciences. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of sexual and reproductive health in emergency settings and for effectively conducting assessments and evaluations.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in sexual and reproductive health programming, particularly in humanitarian or emergency contexts. This experience should include conducting assessments and evaluations, as well as working with government health systems and humanitarian organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context in South Sudan.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is expected to last for four months, with an anticipated starting date of April 15, 2025, and a closing date of August 14, 202

• The consultant will be required to travel frequently to field locations, including remote or insecure areas, specifically to Upper Nile, Jonglei, and Greater Bahr el Ghazal regions. The position is designed for individuals who can work effectively in culturally diverse and resource-constrained environments, and who are committed to gender equality and sexual and reproductive health rights.