Job Description
The Position:
Individual Consultancy to Review and Develop a new National Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Guideline will work closely with the MoH maternal and newborn Technical Working Group (MNH TWG) guided by UNFPA SRH/FP Advisor and under the overall direction of the Country Office Deputy Representative.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose
Hiring Office
UNFPA Kenya Country Office
Background
Kenya’s MMR reduced from over 590 in the 90’s to 362 per 100,000 in 2014 (KDHS 2014) and 3100,000 live births in 2019 (Census, 2019). SDG 2030 target for reduction of maternal mortality to less than 70 deaths /100,000 livebirths and perinatal deaths to less than 12/1000 live births by the year 2030 might not be realised in the current status of maternal and perinatal mortalities.
The health information system and the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (CRVSS) have not adequately captured the magnitude of maternal deaths as only 15% of the maternal deaths are recorded in the Department of Health Information System (DHIS) and only 60% of all deaths are captured by the CRVS. The perinatal mortality is also not adequately captured by the CRVSS. Inadequate measurement of maternal and perinatal deaths contributes to a lack of accountability and in turn to a lack of progress. Strengthening the monitoring and evaluation system especially data quality is key. The data and information generated by MPDSR has proved to be reliable and is the reason why there is need for continuity with guidance from the guideline which is due for review.
UNFPA therefore seeks a consultant to support development of a new national guideline on Maternal and Perinatal Death and Surveillance. This is support of the Ministry of Health.
The consultant will lead the exercise and will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of the documents produced by close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Division of Reproductive and Maternal Health (DRMH), Division of Neonatal and Child Health (DNCH),Division of Community Health (DCH) and Maternal Newborn Child Health (MNCH) partners and stakeholders during the process of the development of the MPDSR Package.
Rationale for the Consultancy
The current national MPDSR Guidelines were developed in 2016, and over the years there has been new approaches in review of maternal and perinatal deaths, to align to the new WHO technical guidance on implementation of MPDSR (2021). Additionally, it is does not comprehensively address perinatal deaths.
Purpose of consultancy:
Working closely with the MoH maternal and newborn Technical Working Group (MNH TWG) and guided by UNFPA SRH/FP Advisor, the consultant will support review and development of national MPDSR Guidelines.
Specific Objectives:
To review MPDSR guideline in line with other updated reproductive health guidelines and policies to include ICD 11
To review MPDSR training package to align to the WHO package and ICD 11 and strengthen perinatal and community areas.
To develop a community maternal and perinatal death notification tools.
To develop a community perinatal review form
Tasks and deliverables
The tasks to be performed and expected deliverables include:
Tasks
Prepare and submit an inception report and discuss the expected deliverables to the MoH. The report should include outlining timelines, methodology, key definitions, preliminary list of key resources and source materials, stakeholder mapping and consultation plan, review draft structure.
Develop evidence to address gaps
Design and facilitate/co-lead stakeholder consultative and writing workshops with the respective divisions at MoH.
Define the anticipated scope of the work through a consultative process with DRMH and DNCH technical working groups, key stakeholders and MNCH partners for consensus
Review and analyse research, key documents, and reports to include past achievement, lessons learnt, best practices, strengths, and weaknesses of the previous guideline
Develop a detailed data management plan with targets and a monitoring and evaluation plan including the COVID-19 issues in maternal care
Present a draft review to DRMH, DNCH, DCH key stakeholders TWG for validation and approval after necessary revisions.
Plan and facilitate the validation meeting with relevant stakeholders on the draft guideline.
Present finalized draft to MOH in soft copy word, PDF and slides summary
The consultant is bound by confidentially i.e. is not allowed to share any of the data, tool and reports with a third party, and cannot claim rights to the documents thereof.
Should the quality of the work be determined as inadequate as per standards set by MOH, the consultant will be required to address quality gaps at his/her own costs.
Deliverables
Inception report
Detailed stakeholders’ consultations and writing workshops reports
A comprehensive report of desktop review and analysis
Draft MPDSR guideline
Revised MPDSR guideline (Word, PDF, 20 slide Power Point Presentation)
Revised training Package
Perinatal Community Notification form
Maternal community Notification form
Perinatal Community Review form (Audit Form)
Required Qualification and Experience
Advanced degree in Medicine, specifically in obstetrics gynaecology/ paediatric medicine/ midwifery or Public Health
At least 10 years’ experience working in reproductive health related field in Kenya or Africa, of which at least 5 years in the development, planning and management of programmes, with practical experience in MPDSR
Demonstrated experience in systematic evidence review.
Experience managing stakeholders and facilitating writing workshops
Previous experience in publication ( e.g. guidelines/ review report /scientific papers) is a must
Good understanding of the Kenya health sector context
Experience working with MOH national and/or county is a must
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Swahili;
Strong leadership, planning and problem-solving skills;
Must be able to work independently with excellent demonstrated teamwork and coordination skills;
Experience in working in culturally diverse contexts
Initiate and execute activities in a timely manner
Consultancy Management
Under direct supervision of the SRH/FP Advisor. The work will be under the overall direction of the CO Deputy Representative.
While UNFPA will contract the consultant and takes responsibility in his/her management, the MoH will provide some oversight in the delivery of this assignment.
Duration and working schedule:
50 payable Days in a total period of 60 days.
Milestones / ActivitiesDuration (Days)
Inception Report3
Desk Review4
Selected Key Informant interviews10
Technical workshops – x2 (max of 5 days each – inclusive of travel)10
Draft MPDSR Guidelines15
Revising draft MPDSR guidelines – inputs from workshops3
Validation meeting1
MPDSR Guidelines – PPT1
Final Package3
Total50
Adherence to the total consultancy period is critical – no payment will be made for any incomplete quality result / task within the timeline provided.
Place where services are to be delivered:
Nairobi, Kenya.
There is a possibility of a travel out of Nairobi for a technical workshop. The travel and accommodation costs shall be covered by UNFPA.
The consultant shall use own equipment and work-space as may be necessary.
Other relevant information or special conditions, if any
Conflict of Interest
The Consultant will be asked to declare any potential conflict of interest before undertaking the work. The Consultant will discharge his/her functions exclusively as an adviser to UNFPA.
Consultancy rate shall be guided by the UNFPA policies.
Consultant will be expected to undertake some mandatory courses (if not done previously) such as Security (BESAFE) and the Prevention of sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
