Consultant for the implementation of the MISP READINESS ASSESSMENT in Lebanon

Official Job Title:

Consultant for IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MISP READINESS ASSESSMENT IN Lebanon

Duty Station

Lebanon, UNFPA Office

Hiring Office

UNFPA Lebanon

Grade (Classified)

NOA      

Vacancy Ref #

UNFPA/LBN/2023/011

Duration

10 working days

Start-up Date

20 September 2023 until 30 October 2023

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose of consultancy:

Background:

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 expands the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy and productive lives.

Since UNFPA started working in 1969, the number – and rate – of women dying from complications of pregnancy or childbirth has been halved. Families are smaller and healthier. Young people are more connected and empowered than ever before.

Lebanon has made great strides to improve the health and wellbeing of its population and is committed to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage. In compliance with the decisions of the International Conference on Population and Development in 1994 on behalf of the Government of Lebanon, the “Reproductive Health Program” was established at the Ministry of Public Health and supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) under the umbrella of primary health care with a clear strategy between 1998 and 2001. The program is still ongoing through its integration within the primary health care department.

COVID-19 pandemic and the recent socioeconomic crisis, in addition to Beirut Blast in 2020 has highlighted gaps in the country’s emergency preparedness and response to shocks, health epidemics and humanitarian disasters. This has weakened the health system resilience with an adverse impact on the continuity of SRH services whose interruption may lead to gaps in preventing unintended and adverse SRH, maternal and new-born health outcomes such surge in unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy complications, violence against women and young girls as well as maternal and infant mortality.  There is need to step up efforts to strengthen the health system resilience and capacity to improve coverage and equitable access to high-quality integrated, rights-based SRH, including GBV services, particularly for women, adolescents and young people.

The Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH is a collection of minimum actions to be implemented at the onset of crisis—within 48 hours—to help reduce mortality and morbidity related to sexual and reproductive health. Despite recognizing the importance to provide lifesaving SRH care during emergencies and it being acknowledged in international standard documents such as the Sphere Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, several evaluations on MISP implementation showed that essential SRH services are still not consistently implemented. Greater efforts are needed to ensure availability of SRH care for all during emergencies and this includes strengthening preparedness efforts. As summarized in the 2020 MISP Readiness Assessment (MRA) (MRA) guidelines, “sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs are not put on pause during emergencies—and often increase due to disruptions to health systems, displacement and breakdowns in societal protection and social structures. Pregnancies, complications, risk of STI and HIV transmission and the wish to access contraceptives do not stop when an emergency strikes. In addition, the risks of unsafe abortions, unsafe deliveries and sexual- and gender-based violence can worsen during times of crisis and exacerbate the existing vulnerability of women, girls, marginalized and underserved groups. To mitigate these risks, access to quality SRH care in emergencies is essential.

Despite recognizing the importance of providing lifesaving SRH care during emergencies and it being acknowledged in international standard documents such as the Sphere Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, several evaluations on MISP implementation showed that essential SRH services are still not consistently implemented. Greater efforts are needed to ensure availability of SRH care for all during emergencies and this includes strengthening preparedness efforts.”

It is within this background and context that UNFPA Lebanon is commissioning a consultancy to support in the assessment of the country’s readiness to provide Minimum Initial Service Package  (MISP) for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Emergencies.

Purpose of the consultancy

The objective of the consultancy will be to support Lebanon in rolling-out the MISP Readiness Assessment (MRA) between August and October 2023. The consultant will be responsible for supporting in conducting the interviews and preparing the final report for the MRA in close collaboration with the focal point at UNFPA Lebanon. The MRA to be completed no later than 30 October 2023.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Specific Tasks

1. Support in the completion of the interviews using the MRA Questionnaire
2. Support in facilitating the MRA workshop with 30 person
3.        Draft SRH Preparedness action plan based on results from the questionnaire and discussions with partners

Duration working schedule:

The consultancy will run from 20 September till 30 October. The total number of working days shall not exceed 10 days.

Place where services are to be delivered:

The consultant will be home-based in Beirut, Lebanon, as different field visits will take place.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

Expected outputs/deliverables

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The final deliverables shall be submitted 1 week before the contract end date (30^th of October 2023)

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the SRH/GBV Integration Coordinator at UNFPA Lebanon under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Head of Office.

Expected travel:

N/A

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

The consultant needs to have:

1. At least a Bachelor’s degree, in public health, development studies, social studies or related field
2. At least 2 years experience in SRH, HIV programmes or related programmes
3. Excellent interpersonal and strong communication skills, in both written and verbal English
4. Good knowledge of the national and sub-national disaster management systems
5. Strong knowledge of the SRH (including MISP) and health systems
6. Strong knowledge of national and international stakeholders
7. Excellent coordination and facilitation skills
8. Strong communication and reporting skills

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA will provide relevant support and guidance to ensure the successful undertaking of this consultancy including needed documentation, contact details for concerned stakeholders, review of tools, and review of draft and final documents.

Also, UNFPA will be covering the transportation needed for the interviews.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

All interested applicants should submit the following.

1. Letter of interest
2. CV with evidence of qualifications and experience
3. Financial proposal

Signature of Requesting Officer in Hiring Office: Hiba KASSIR KCHOUR

Date: 1 September 2023

Application process and deadline

Interested candidates may apply online by providing: 

• Most updated CV with evidence of qualifications and experience
• Updated P11 (click here)
• Cover letter mentioning the relevance of past/current experience with the requirements of the consultancy
• Financial proposal

• Mention in the email subject the post title and number: Consultant for IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MISP READINESS ASSESSMENT IN Lebanon and UNFPA/LBN/2023/011

The above documents must be sent to bids_lbn@unfpa.org  by no later than Friday, September 15, 2023 Candidates who fail to submit the required documents above will not be considered for review. UNFPA Lebanon will only be responsible to respond to those applicants submitting the required documents above and in which there is further interest. ONLY individual consultants, not companies, are eligible to apply.

Candidates assessed by the panel and considered to be eligible for the appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same/lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.