03 Health Consultants required - Quetta (For Pakistan Nationals Only)

the main technical support by the Provincial Health Consultant (EPI/MNCH/HIV-AIDS/Nutrition) will be for Provincial Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI program) and district health teams of Department of Health Balochistan, in designing, implementation, monitoring and quality assurance for Reaching Every District/Reaching Every Union Council (RED/REUC) initiatives. Consultants will also provide technical assistance for designing and implementation of Equity based and REC (Reaching Every Community) initiatives for identifying and targeting the areas with highest level of inequities for immunization in selected districts of Balochistan. The consultant shall formulate the strategies for addressing the inequities, developing Equity Improvement Plan (EIP) and monitoring the implementation of EIP in field and recommend mid-course corrective measures and provide support for the RED/REC/EIP implementation plans in the field. Also providing technical assistance for generating evidence base and documenting best practices/lessons learnt for scale up of RED/REC/Equity initiatives for immunization in Balochistan. The consultant shall also the devise strategies for Polio-RI (Routine Immunization) synergies and using existing Polio assets in the focus districts for strengthening RI program.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

 

Number of Positions: 3 positions.

 

For every child, health

Background: 

Balochistan is the Pakistan province with the most concerning and challenging maternal, newborn and child health indicators. In addition, there are significant disparities related to access to quality services, among districts and within districts. A newborn in Balochistan is more deprived as compared than other provinces of Pakistan as access to and utilization of health services during pregnancy in Balochistan very low and has in fact worsened during the last two decades, thus affecting maternal and infant health and survival. The Infant mortality and neonatal mortality at 97 and 63 respectively are much higher than the national rates, while the maternal mortality ratio of 785 as highlighted in 2006-7 Pakistan Demographic Health Survey (PDHS), says so much more of the dire situation in the province.

Routine Immunization coverage for Balochistan in PDHS 20102-13 was only 16%, which is lowest as compared to the other parts of the country. Urban-rural differences are also visible in Balochistan. Based on MICS 2010-11 data, all the districts of Balochistan except for three i.e. Gwadar, Jhalmagsi and Naseerabad had a full immunization coverage of less than 15% which indicates high needs for all the province. The decline in accessing Pre-natal care by pregnant mothers to 31% in 2012-13 from 40% in 2006-7 and of SBA (skilled birth attendants) to 17.8% from 23%, are the most significant reasons for higher maternal, neonatal and infant mortality rates in Balochistan. Overall only 28% of newborns had a post-natal visit in first two days of life, and only 12.5% were seen by a skilled health provider. A large proportion, 84% of pregnant women have no access to institutional delivery, while 63% of women are deprived of Post-natal care services. There are important differentials and the access to and uptake of these services is lesser in rural areas, amongst women who have low literacy level, among women belonging to poor socio-economic strata and women belonging to poorer geographic strata of population. For example urban Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) coverage is only 34.4% and Rural is 14.2%).

With this background scenario, there are number of bottlenecks and issues at the level of health systems, health service delivery, infrastructure, management systems as well as there is low demand for services for Health Services including; Immunization services, Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal & Child Health (RMNCH) and HIV/AIDS. In order to address these bottlenecks and challenges there is need to build capacities of the health systems and vertical programs (Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI), Maternal Neonatal & Child Health (MNCH) Program, HIV/AIDS program and Lady Health Workers (LHW) program, etc). For the same purpose technical assistance is being provided to these programs to build capacities of these programs, and to address some of key challenges to the programs, by enhancing demand for health services and matching it through improved services, with ultimate goal of reducing maternal, child, infant and neonatal mortality.

Under the supervision of the Health & Nutrition Specialist Balochistan FO, the Provincial Health Consultants (EPI/MNCH/HIV-AIDS/Nutrition) will provide technical support and guidance for evidence/results based planning, supervision/monitoring, evaluation and quality of implementation of Immunization, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) activities under the Balochistan Health AWP. The consultants will be based partially (50% of time) at UNICEF Quetta office and partially at DoH office (50% of time at Provincial DoH Office i.e. DGHS Office/EPI Office/MNCH Office/District Health office). The consultants will coordinate on weekly basis with the Provincial MNCH Program, Department of Health Balochistan. The incumbent will also coordinate with other partner agencies, local NGOs /CBOs to support overall programs related to their work. The consultancy assignment will be in total for 11 months from January to November 2017.

UNICEF Balochistan FO has its plans to scale up its immunization programs in Balochistan from the current 6 districts to 25 districts, through support of GAVI funds for 2017 and Multi-donor trust fund (MDTF) support for next four years for NISP/BISP (National/Balochistan Immunization support program). These have also been reflected into UNICEF PCO Multiyear Work Plans (MyWPs).  With this background, the main technical support by the Provincial Health Consultant (EPI/MNCH/HIV-AIDS/Nutrition) will be for Provincial Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI program) and district health teams of Department of Health Balochistan, in designing, implementation, monitoring and quality assurance for Reaching Every District/Reaching Every Union Council (RED/REUC) initiatives. Consultants will also provide technical assistance for designing and implementation of Equity based and REC (Reaching Every Community) initiatives for identifying and targeting the areas with highest level of inequities for immunization in selected districts of Balochistan. The consultant shall formulate the strategies for addressing the inequities, developing Equity Improvement Plan (EIP) and monitoring the implementation of EIP in field and recommend mid-course corrective measures and provide support for the RED/REC/EIP implementation plans in the field. Also providing technical assistance for generating evidence base and documenting best practices/lessons learnt for scale up of RED/REC/Equity initiatives for immunization in Balochistan. The consultant shall also the devise strategies for Polio-RI (Routine Immunization) synergies and using existing Polio assets in the focus districts for strengthening RI program.

The position will be under the direct supervision of Health & Nutrition Specialist UNICEF Balochistan, with necessary inputs and working with Immunization Officer and Nutrition Officers for Balochistan FO, and necessary technical inputs from Immunization Specialists (Immunization, HSS, Equity, C4D) at the Country Office. 

 

To make a difference, you will be accountable for the following tasks and deliverables: 

1. Review EPI coverage data to identify the UCs/communities with highest level of inequities for RI

Based on the set assessment criteria for equity e.g. of EPI coverage data, VPD Surveillance reports, geographical location, access and utilization of health service and other data from field, and data from polio program prioritize UCs/communities and urban slums with highest level of inequities

Based on the evidence above, achieve consensus with district and UC teams on the best strategy for targeting the UCs/Areas with RI services.

Line listing of hard to reach communities with inequities including demographic and social data, including calculation of total population, RI target and outreach teams required for these UCs and the specific targeting strategy needed for these.

Validation of the line list of hard to reach areas, population, target population.

 

2. Impart technical assistance on the development, review, finalization and updating the district and community level micro plans for RED/REC/EIP districts

Provide technical guidance for district teams on data collection and reporting process. Collate and analyze district/UC wise data on RI coverage and equity indicators for performance monitoring of EPI program in RED/REC/EIP districts. Based on this analysis taking remedial actions for poor performing UCs and strategies for targeting missed children

STOCK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN PLACE FOR MANAGEMENT OF VACCINES ON A MONTHLY/QUARTERLY BASIS WITH FINDINGS AND FOLLOW UP ACTIONS CONSOLIDATED FOR HF AND DISTRICT LEVELS

Conduct field visits of the RED/REC/Equity focused districts to monitor the pace of implementation of the EIP/RED/REC.

Provide on-job training and supportive supervision for the district based coordinators and DoH teams

Conduct district level quarterly reviews of the progress in the implementation, identify challenges and constraints and chalk out mid-course corrective measures.

District specific Project implementation/progress reports of RED/REC and EIP in the districts and communities.

 

3. Mapping and assessment of existing and prospective partners/CSOs/ NGOs/organizations to support RI activities for urban slums

Identification and prioritization of blocks/communities/urban slums with highest level of inequities for Immunization.

Service contract with a CSO for Profiling and digital mapping of urban slums including; Line listing for urban slums communities with inequities including calculation of total population, RI target and outreach teams required

Develop partnerships (PCAs) with NGOs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for delivering contextually appropriate and adopted package of PHC outreach including RI for these slums communities

Capacity building plan developed and implemented, including delivery of training /workshops/ seminar/ focus group for partners.

Quarterly progress report on RI and PHC outreach for urban slums.

 

4. Coordination with the provincial Polio coordination structures for identifying links for Polio-RI synergy, and devising strategies to use existing Polio assets in focus districts for strengthening RI, including initiatives e.g. improving EPI COVERAGE OF ALL ANTIGENS IN POLIO CORE RESORVOIR DISTRICTS SUPPORTED BY COMMUNITY BASED VOLUNTEERS.

Assessment of the poor performing districts and UCs in Polio Tier 1 districts. Devise strategies for strengthening/scaling up routine immunization in POLIO TIER ONE districts and union councils. Development and implementation of micro-plans for identified UCs

DEVELOP AND EXECUTE PLANS TO EXPLOIT SYNERGIES IN SURVEILLANCE, COMMUNICATION, SOCIAL MOBILIZATION AND SERVICE DELIVERY FOR ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION IN TIER1 DISTRICTs, AND UCS. Actualize the RI+PEI synergy by initiating joint collaboration, sharing of information and mapping of marginalized and vulnerable areas.

Quarterly review meetings and progress reports for RI-PEI synergies.

Documenting synergies developed between EPI and PEI.

 

5. Technically assist DoH & MNCH Program in review of existing EPI and newborn health training methodologies/resources and quality improvements of these by:

Completing TNAs, training database and Training Plans for Province as per provincial ENAP (Essential Newborn Action Plan)

Supervising, mentoring and capacity building of district based health consultants under responsibility and ensure their effective contribution to the delivery of the outputs 1-4 above.

Assisting in development of training resource/excellence centers for new born care at a provincial level hospital

Capacity development of in-service training resource centers e.g. training pool of provincial master trainers.

Rolling out plan and monitoring plan of trainings at district level.

 

6. Baseline needs assessment and Situational Analysis reports of MNCH (especially newborn care) from the districts and recommended actions for the MNCH program

Monitoring and supervision of timely and quality implementation of activities in Sick New Born Care Units, (established for Balochistan, as part of the RMNCH TF project).

Documentation of best practices and lessons learnt for providing evidence based for possible scale up of best practice models for essential newborn care interventions.

 

7. Provide technical assistance to DoH to generate and use knowledge in programming, and build capacities of DoH and partners for improved HIV prevention and treatment for women, children, and adolescents.

Developing of joint work plan with NACP

Capacity building plan in place for 2017 and implemented

Monthly coordination meeting and monitoring of program activities implemented at district level.

Monitoring field piloting of evidence base approaches for newborn care and child health including RI based on principles of operational research in public health.

Documenting lessons learnt, best practices and case studies from project implementation at district level.

 

Deliverable 1:

• Line listing and profile of the most marginalized community/ districts.
• Develop district specific costed Equity Improvement Plan (EIP) with an M&E plan for it in the focus areas/communities in all selected districts where RED/REC approach is implemented.

 

Deliverable 2:

• Monthly and Quarterly Project Implementation and monitoring reports (04 quarterly reports and 11 monthly reports) with clear analysis and graphic presentations on the implementation status of the district plans with necessary course correction.

(Details: The reports shall document trends in EPI coverage and performance indicators for UCs/communities targeted through RED/REC/EIP. Also reporting on the operational bottlenecks, and modification taken/required in strategies & service delivery for RED/REC approach and EIPs in the program districts.

Also technical capacity of district health teams to manage and report of vaccine & cold chain supply chain systems)

Monthly delivery

By end of Month 2

 

Deliverable 3:

• Line listing and profile of urban slums with high level of inequity.
• Devise and implement strategies/operational plan for targeting families/children for RI in the urban slums through Implementing Partners including finalization of PCAs with CSO/NGOs 

In two terms (Month 2 and Month 8).

 

Deliverable 4:

Development and implementation of coordination & operational planning system for synergies between Polio eradication program and RI including targeting high risk UCs in Tier 1 districts. Key deliverables include:

• RI & PEI Synergy Plan for 2017 for Balochistan Tier 1 districts
• Quarterly review meetings and progress reports for RI-PEI synergy activities. 

In two terms (Month 5 and Month 10).

 

Deliverable 5:

Capacity development for HR for Health on Newborn and Child Health care in Balochistan (EPI, HBB and ENCC trainings in accordance with Annual and MYWP 2015-17) with below deliverables delivered:

• Review report of existing training methods for New born care
• TNAs, training database and Annual Training Plan for Newborn Care
• Training Reports For Training of Provincial Master Trainers and district level trainings on Newborn and Child Health Care
• Report On Development & Functionality, and capacity building initiative through Excellence Center for newborn care. 

In two terms (Month 4 and Month 7).

 

Deliverable 6: Technical support for MNCH Program

• Situational Analysis reports of MNCH (especially newborn care) from the districts
• Monthly monitoring and progress reports on: implementation status of activities in MNCH districts including Sick New Born Care Units, (RMNCH TF Project continuation), Chlorhexidine initiative implementation in districts, and status of Newborn Care interventions in districts. 

In two terms (Month 4 and Month 9).

 

Deliverable 8:

Capacity development and system strengthening for provincial HIV/AIDS program

• Joint work plan and capacity building plan for 2017 with HIV/AIDS program developed and implemented
• Monthly reports as per the work plan. 

By end of Month 11.

 

Deliverable 8:

Piloting evidence base approaches for newborn care and child health through Health Systems and documenting lessons learnt and best practices. Deliverables will include:

• End of Consultancy Report
• Case Study Reports and Report on best practices
• Policy briefs based on the operational research findings. 

By end of Month 11

 

Estimated Duration of Contract:

Feb 2017 - Jan 2018

 

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required: 

Education/qualification:

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor in Surgery (MBBS), a Diploma/Masters in Public Health (MPH)/or Allied fields (community medicine, health care management, health policy management, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, MNCH) would be an asset. Knowledge of latest development, evidence based interventions and approaches to child survival/EPI/immunization will be an asset.

Work Experience:

A minimum of six years of public health experience in both technical as well as managerial level in the field of PHC/Immunization/EPI/Polio/MNCH/surveillance. Knowledge of latest development and technology in immunization and child survival is desirable. Data analysis and report writing skills are additional requirements. Work experience in Balochistan is an asset. Experience of working with development sector/s, national or provincial EPI programme will be an asset.

Competencies:

• Good negotiation and communication skill;
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously in diverse cultural background;
• Good knowledge of computer applications required;
• Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility & sensitive to different cultures
• Good managerial skills in field level implementation of PHC and health systems.

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Interested in finding out more?  

You will have a rewarding experience working with a dynamic, diverse and committed staff who are making a difference in saving lives and building a better future for Every Child in Pakistan.   

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