INSTITUTION/CONSULTANTS

VACANCY 

The Position:

UNFPA Botswana Country Office is seeking the services of a qualified Institution or Consultants to conduct a comprehensive review and revision of Botswana’s HIV Frameworks. The review will assess existing framework implementation modes, and service delivery mechanisms to ensure alignment with national priorities, international standards, and the evolving needs of the population.

Background

The Ministry of Health (MOH) with technical and financial support from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) developed the Botswana: Policy guidelines and service standards – sexual and reproductive health (2015) which outlined the framework for offering and delivering SRH services, emphasized the importance of improving the quality of care to enhance client’s health outcomes, improve the quality of care to clinical not only for enhancing client’s health status but also for increasing access to and utilization of SRH services. Improving SRH is an integral part of the Government’s efforts to address the social and economic development of its people and uphold their rights. Prior to this, in 2012, the Ministry with support from UNFPA had developed a peer Training Manual for service providers and subsequently prioritized the integration of youth friendly health services into the national health systems. While a lot of progress has been made, there are still gaps that need to be addressed to advance SRH for all. The guiding documents outlined above have also become dated and need to be updated to incorporate the latest trends and international best practice.
In line with its strategy, UNFPA is committed to advancing a vision of a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan prioritizes three transformative results, a) Ending the unmet need for family planning b) Ending preventable maternal deaths c) Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Despite notable progress in SRH, Botswana continues to face significant challenges including:

* A maternal mortality rate of 163.7 per 100,000 live births
* An adolescent fertility rate of 2.7
* A significant unmet need for family planning and
* Persistent Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Objective

Ensuring comprehensive, accessible, and emergency-responsive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, particularly through the implementation of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH in emergencies, is crucial for accelerating Botswana’s commitment towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). It is also pivotal for the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Vision 2036, and National development aspirations and goals. While significant progress has been made, notable challenges remain. To address these challenges, the MoH, in collaboration with UNFPA Botswana, aims to review and update existing SRH national frameworks to align with the latest national priorities and international best practices. The main objective is to develop updated, inclusive, transformative and evidence-based policy guidance and strategy that promotes quality, integrated, and emergency-responsive SRH services for all, especially adolescents and youth.

Job Purpose:

The institution or consultants will:
* Review and develop an updated, evidence-based SRH policy and service standards that ensure the provision of comprehensive, high-quality, integrated, and emergency-responsive SRH services for all populations in Botswana.
b) Assess availability, uptake, and the overall success of AFHS
c) Identify lessons learned & good practices from the implementation of AFHS
d) Propose concrete actions and recommendations to strengthen the AFHS model as part of the implementation of the SRH Policy and the ASRH Strategy
* Review the ASRH Strategy to ensure it is responsive to the current needs of young people, including those with disabilities and those in rural areas. Ensure that the strategy is gender transformative and addresses social and cultural norms with implications for ASRH & supports aspirations to harness the demographic dividend.
* Develop an ASRH Training Manual for training service providers that ensures the provision of comprehensive, high-quality, integrated ASRH services

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

The institution/lead consultants must:
a) Hold a master’s degree or equivalent in Public Health, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or other related fields.
b) A minimum of 10 years of extensive work experience in policy, strategy & curriculum development & review.
c) Technical expertise in Sexual and Reproductive Health, especially in Botswana.
d) Highly conversant in the SRH landscape in Botswana.
e) Experience in working with CSOs, traditional leaders, youth serving organisations and government officials, and able to interact with a variety of stakeholders at different levels.
f) Strong analytical and writing skills
g) Submit one work sample against the assignment, not more than 5 years old.

Competencies:

* Good communication and writing skills
* Demonstrated ability to train and build the capacity of others;
* Result oriented
* Values diversity and demonstrates inclusive behaviour towards all colleagues and stakeholders, successfully developing cross-cultural relationships;
* Good interpersonal skills;