International Consultant for Development of National Operational Guidance for integrating EMTCT and paediatric HIV into RMNCAH in Sierra Leone.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Champion

Please visit UNICEF Sierra Leone website here: www.unicef.org/sierraleone

How can you make a difference?

In close consultation with relevant MoHS departments, UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO and other stakeholders, the consultant will implement the following specific tasks:

A. Inception report

• Develop draft inception report detailing the methodology and approach for developing the EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH integration operational guidance. The protocol should detail the timelines, the approaches, data collection tools and outline of the proposed operational guidance.
• Refine and develop final inception report based on inputs from EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH stakeholders.

B. Brief analysis report on EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH integration

• Conduct literature review of national EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH policies, strategies and guidelines to identify gaps and opportunities for integration.
• Conduct literature review of national, regional and global emerging/best practices for EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH integration.
• Develop draft brief analysis report detailing gaps, opportunities and best/emerging practices for EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH integration based on the national, regional and global literature review.
• Review and finalize brief analysis report on gaps, opportunities and best practices for integration based on inputs from stakeholders.

C. Operational Guidance for the EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH integration

• Conduct national level key informant interviews with EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH stakeholders at national level including with but not limited to NAS, NACP, RMNCAH Directorate, UN Agencies, NGOs, Networks of People Living with HIV (NETHIPS) among others.
• Conduct key informant interviews and focus group discussions at district, facility and community level on EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH integration.
• Develop draft and final report detailing status, gaps, opportunities and recommendations for strengthening EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH integration based on the national and field level interviews.
• Based on the literature review, national and field visit interviews, develop a draft operational guidance for EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH integration at all levels.
• Conduct a consultative validation meeting to review draft operational guidance for the EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH integration.
• Develop final operational guidance for the EMTCT/EID and Paediatric HIV integration across the RMNCAH continuum of care at primary health care (including community), secondary and tertiary care, as well as integration into other important programs such a nutrition, TB etc.

D. It is expected that the operational guidance will be very practical and should enable immediate operationalization. Developing this guidance should include and entail:

• Definition of an essential package of integrated services (by identifying programme areas for integration based on feasibility in terms of human resource capacity, available resources, population needs, and efficiency gains (e.g., programme areas that can offer highest opportunity to improve service coverage, etc.).
• Develop model/strategy for integration – coordination, collaboration, or consolidation for each of the areas to be integrated at different levels of care.
• Review existing protocols, guidelines, SOPs, job aides for separate services and create integrated ones as relevant or consolidate them by identify/avoiding duplication for more efficient service delivery.
• Identify infrastructural changes (including space) required to deliver integrated service delivery, with special consideration of privacy needs.
• Review and update job descriptions (JDs) as necessary and identify training/supportive supervision needs based on the updated JDs
• Review M&E system and identify areas that are better for integrated data capturing vs. keeping separate recording/reporting.
• Review supply needs (including laboratory needs) as a result of integration; identify opportunities for integrating supply chains.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree (Masters) in Public Health, Medicine, Social Sciences, Health Systems Management, or other related disciplines.
• Technical expertise in HIV/AIDS, particularly EMTCT and Paediatric HIV, RMNCAH and health systems strengthening.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in programme design, planning, monitoring and evaluation in the field of HIV, EMTCT and Paediatric HIV care programmes.
• Experience in development of operational guidance documents in EMTCT, Paediatric HIV and RMNCAH integration.
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, including skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis and reporting.
• Good negotiation, communication, and advocacy skills, including proven ability to manage relationships with government ministries, district local governments, national and district partners, service providers, communities, and other stakeholders.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Previous working experience with UNICEF and/or other international agencies will be an asset.
• Previous experience in countries or regions with similar context to Sierra Leone is an asset.

Please see attached ToR for full details.  TOR for VA.docx

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Consultants and Individual contractors are responsible for paying any taxes derived from the earnings received from UNICEF.

• Application to include financial proposal that will detail your daily/monthly rate (in USD) to undertake the terms of reference. 
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.