Purpose of Assignment:
Due to the scale and breadth of UNICEF administered health systems strengthening (HSS) programmes under the NEP, UNICEF continues to require consultants to support key non-staff functions within these specific programmes.
With the implementation of the NHRP, CHMS, MRS and the progression of mTrac into Phase II, there continues to be a need for HSS field and technical support aimed at user centered design and testing of NHRP, CHMS, MRS, mTrac software, data analysis, monitoring of training, support supervision, capacity building of key implementing partners (MoH, DHTs, etc.), creation of programme materials, and documenting community level health systems strengthening activities and results.
As such, UNICEF Uganda is looking to hire a HSS Field Support consultant with experience 1) working with Government health structures, UN and NGOs, 2) Electronic health information systems, including DHIS2 and mTrac, 3) IT project management, 4) VHT programmes, and 5) a good understanding of current thinking around eHealth systems and the stakeholder environment in Uganda.
Ideally the consultant will have previous experience working on these programmes to ensure continuity.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The HSS Field Support consultant will be charged with providing technical assistance and implementation support to the HSS components of NHRP, CHMS, MRS and mTrac programmes, as well as UNICEF supported initiatives including A Promise Renewed (APR) and the sharpened RMNCH Plan. This work is expected to include:
• Contributing technical input into project plans and budgets,
• Developing manuals and materials for HSS initiatives,
• Updating project documents,
• Leading or participating in trainings,
• Building capacity of government and implementing partners,
• Field level coordination and monitoring of HSS activities with other health development partners,
• Engaging local government on HSS supported programmes,
• Data cleaning and user database updates,
• Data analysis and monitoring,
• Identifying and trouble shooting system challenges,
• Routine user testing of any new software features and providing quality assurance,
• Documenting end user experience,
• Developing communication materials,
• Attending HSS meetings, as requested, and
• Support supervision and routine feedback to project coordinators.
Description of assignment: (provide detail and in quantitative terms, add pages if required)
Task 1.Conduct an assessment of field based NHRP, CHMS and MRS activities being supported and provide technical assistance to implementing partners. Deliverable 1: 3-5 pages report on all NHRP, CHMS and MRS field activities supported, including assessment of trainings, identification of any gaps or challenges and feedback from users, lessons and recommendations.
Task 2: Provide technical assistance on the design and implementation of the MRS v2.0 in 2 new pilot districts.Deliverable 2: 3-5 page report on MRS v2.0 implementation in 2 new pilot districts including assessment of trainings uptake, performance, knowledge gaps, capacity building needs, lessons and recommendations.
Task 3: Provide technical assistance to the CHMS v2.0 deployment, with a focus on user design, experience and attainment of key objectives. Deliverable 3: 3-5 page report on CHMS v2.0 activities supported, including assessment of user testing and feedback, lessons and recommendations.
Task 4: Conduct a progress assessment of the status of MRS v2.0 in the pilot districts. Deliverable 4: 3-5 page report on the design and implementation of MRS v2.0 including support supervision activities, identification of any gaps or challenges, feedback from users, lessons and recommendations.
Task 5: Conduct a progress assessment of CHMS v2.0 activities, develop a set of activity based recommendations, and provide direct technical assistance to implementing partners based on recommendations. Deliverable 5: 3-5 page progress assessment of CHMS v2.0 activities, provide recommendations to address any gaps, and provide update on any activities, capacity building or trainings conducted to redress them
Task 6: Conduct a review of NHRP Dashboards with the guidance of NHRP stakeholders for Monitoring, Evaluation and Data utilization. Deliverable 6: 3-5 page report on the results of the review of NHRP Dashboards, Stakeholder feedback, provide basic data analysis and visualization, feedback on decentralized data utilization, and assessment of overall effectiveness
Task 7: Provide technical assistance on the design and implementation of the MRS v3.0 in 3 pilot districts.Deliverable 7: 3-5 page report on the design and implementation of MRS v3.0 including support supervision activities, identification of any gaps or challenges, feedback from users, lessons and recommendations.
Task 8:Develop district level NHRP support supervision protocols and performance monitoring indicators for DHTs, monitor work over a period of 3 months, and provide assessment on DHT intervention impact on NHRP performance indicators. Deliverable 8: 3-5 page guideline manual for DHTs to assess all NHRP activities and intervene at the Community, Health Facility and District levels through monitoring key performance indicators, data quality and data utilization.
Task 9: Conduct a progress assessment of the status of MRS v3.0 in the pilot districts. Deliverable 9: 3-5 page progress assessment of MRS v3.0, provide recommendations to address any gaps, and provide update on any activities, capacity building or trainings conducted to redress them
Task 10: Provide technical assistance to the development and evaluation of NHRP tools rolled out to VHTs and Health Facility workers. Deliverable 10: 3-5 page report on NHRP tools developed for VHT and Health Facility Workers including activities supported, assessment of user feedback, lessons and recommendations.
Task 11: Provide technical assistance to the design and deployment of NHRP Phase 2, with a focus on the Health Facility level. Deliverable 11: 4-10 page report on NHRP Phase 1 Field Activities including activities supported, identification of any gaps or challenges, feedback from users, lessons and recommendations for NHRP Phase 2 design and deployment amongst VHTs and Health Facility Workers
Payment plan
• Monthly payment submitted upon review of deliverables with supervisor
• Consultant is responsible for his /her own health insurance
• Consultant is eligible for standard in- and out-of-country DSA for all work-related travel.
• Consultant is eligible for standard consultant desk, laptop, phone and extension
Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required for the assignment
It is required that the Health Systems Strengthening Field Support consultant has:
• University Degree in Public Health, Nutrition, International Development, Social Policy, Social Development and Community Development.
• At least two years’ professional experience supporting government and/ or NGO health programming, including training and capacity building, at the sub-national level
• Experience with participatory development, including leading key informant interviews and focus groups
• Good computer skills, including Word, Powerpoint and Excel, and is comfortable using web based content management sites, databases and information portals
• Fluency in written English; excellent communication skills
It is highly recommended that the Health Systems Strengthening Support Officer has:
• Knowledge of Ugandan national and local health structures.
• Experience with mTrac and DHIS2
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation
• At least five years of experience in East Africa and lives in the region
• Fluency in at least one of the Ugandan national languages
It is advantageous for Health Systems Strengthening Support Officer to have:
• Previous experience with SMS-based systems
• Experience working with development actors: donors, UN agencies, and government ministries.
• Knowledge of environment in which UNICEF operates, and the developing-world environment
Additionally, the Health Systems Strengthening Support Officer must be:
• Willing to frequently travel (sometimes on short notice) to work with partners in the field, directly with end-users, and in sometimes challenging conditions
• Willing to live in Kampala, Uganda
HOW TO APPLY:
• How to Apply
• Applicants interested in the above position should send their Applications accompanied by a resume and P11 Form Via email to: ugderecruit@unicef.org, clearly indicating the position applied for and using the specified order to name attachments (Firstname_Lastname followed by document e.g. First name_Last Name P11 or First name_Last Name CV or First name_Last Name Application.
• ONLY Ugandan Nationals will be considered for this Assignment
• UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNICEF is a smoke free environment.
• Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
• Closing date for applications is 3 September 2015.