Consultant for National Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Policy

Consultant for National Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Policy

Project Overview and Role:

PROPEL Health is a USAID-funded five-year global project awarded to Palladium on September 23, 2022. PROPEL Health Malawi aims to improve the enabling environment for equitable and sustainable health services, supplies, and delivery systems through: (1) policy development and implementation, (2) adequate, predictable, and sustainable health financing, (3) enhanced government stewardship, transparency, and accountability, and (4) use of evidence-based advocacy approaches at global, national, and subnational levels to promote best practices. Cross-cutting approaches include FP/RH integration into MCH, HIV & primary healthcare; gender equity & equality; digital health technology; capacity development & localization; collaborating, learning & adapting & knowledge management; diversity, equity, inclusion & accessibility; sustainability. PROPEL Health Malawi works with Government and several key actors from across multiple health and development sectors, private stakeholders, civil society, youth, and other implementing partners to integrate policies and approaches for more effective and efficient delivery. The project actively supports USAID’s localization strategy by drawing on local actors to co-create our country designs and lead implementation, monitoring, and evaluation focusing on FP/RH, MNCH, Nutrition, HIV, TB, and malaria.

The Malawi Government through Ministry of Health is providing comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services in line with National and International policies, protocols, and Agreements to which the country is committed to abide by.

In Malawi, the coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of SRHR services in primary health care is the responsibility of the Reproductive Health Directorate (RHD) in the Ministry of Health.

The goal of the National SRHR service is to promote, safer reproductive health practices by men, women, and young people including the use of quality and accessible reproductive health services, through informed choices.
These terms of reference outline the scope of work (SoW), deliverables, Responsibilities & accountability, Skills/qualifications of the consultant, and duration/timelines for this assignment.

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful lead consultant shall work in collaboration with the National SRHR Task Force team to complete the following tasks:

• Review the current SRHR policy and identify the implementation successes and gaps which will inform the revision of the new policy.
• Prepare background information on situation of SRHR issues in Malawi and the National or International Policy environment relevant for the framing of the National SRHR Policy for the period 2024-2030.
• Conduct National stakeholder consultations to gather as much information as possible on status and desired future status of SRHR services in Malawi.
• Review the implementation gaps for the existing SRHR policy and suggest recommendations for the successful implementation arrangements of the new SRHR Policy.
• Review the current SRHR service delivery guidelines, training manuals, Strategic Plans and International declarations on SRHR and other relevant literature related to SRHR services in Malawi.
• Present the Inception report for the assignment to the SRHR Task Force and the Safe motherhood Technical Working Group (TWG).
• Present the draft SRHR Policy to the Safe Motherhood TWG /sub-committees for their review and comments, and then incorporate any comments made.
• Present the final SRHR Policy to the Senior Management in the Ministry of Health for final approval.

Accountability & Leadership

• The Lead consultant shall be accountable and answerable to the National SRHR Task Force which shall provide direction and review the work of the consultant before presenting it to the Safe motherhood (TWG) or the Senior Management.
• The consultant shall respond to any call for a meeting by the Task force team aimed at providing update on the work/deliverables completed.

Expected Deliverables and Timeliness

Within a period of 60 days the Lead Consultant is expected to fulfil the following deliverables:

• Complete the situation analysis and present this analysis to the Task force for comments.
• Address the comments from the Task Force on the situation analysis and produce the zero draft.
• Organize and lead a stakeholders’ consultative meeting for experts working in the field of SRHR to provide their recommendations.
• Consolidate and incorporate the stakeholders’ recommendations into the new SRHR policy and produce the 1st draft.
• Present the 2nd draft to the national SRHR policy revision task force team for their comments and guidance/recommendations.
• Present the final draft to the Safe-motherhood TWG and address the comments/questions in preparation for the presentation to Senior management.
• Present the final policy to the SMT for approval and address any comments after the presentation.
• Present to the SRHR policy at the national dissemination conference and launch of the Policy.

Required Qualifications:

The Lead Consultant is expected to meet the following requirements:

Qualifications and Experience

• Possess a master’s degree and special skills in Public or Global Health and experience in development and revision of sexual and reproductive health policies in Malawi setting.
• Those with a PhD and experience in reproductive health policies development and revisions or evaluation will be preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience working in the policy space with special bias in the development of Reproductive Health policies/guidelines.

Competencies

• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and computer skills.
• Experience in developing or revision of national health policies with bias in reproductive Health policies.
• Willingness to work during odd hours and result oriented.
• Be able to meet timelines.
• Fluency in English.

Submission guidelines

All interested parties are required to submit their applications including both technical and financial proposals and a copy of their most recent curriculum vitae. The financial proposal must be quoted in Malawi Kwacha. All applications should be submitted online no later than 17:00 Hours Malawi time on Thursday August 31st, 2023.

Company Overview:

About Palladium – Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people’s lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding – We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.