Background
In the past 25 years, noteworthy progress has been made towards the realization of universal sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in most parts of the world, including in Botswana. Despite this progress, the promise of universal SRHR remains to be fulfilled for women and girls in Botswana, particularly those residing in rural Botswana and the least educated. Considering the current pace of progress, which has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, it could be concluded that achievement of universal access to SRHR in the country is under threat.
Notwithstanding, the encouraging observation is that the momentum around UHC (Box-2) is growing in the East and Southern Africa countries, including in Botswana. It is worth noting that Botswana has committed to progressively achieving UHC; a) stopping the increase and reversing the increasing trend of catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure by providing measures to ensure financial risk protection and eliminate impoverishment due to health-related expenses by 2030; and, b) progressively mobilize more resources for attaining UHC by following a life-course approach.
To accelerate progress towards UHC, Botswana has prioritized the provision of a set of essential health services articulated in the Essential Health Services Package [EHSP], aligned to the country's needs by following a life course approach and developing plans to progressively expand the number of services under UHC as the financing for health increases.
The UHC framework of Botswana includes not only ‘what services are covered across the life-span of individuals (also referred to as UHC benefit package), but also ‘how they are funded’ and considerations about the quality and coverage of these services. In 2020, Botswana undertook a rapid assessment to establish the extent to which universal health coverage policies and roadmaps adequately integrated the nine essential SRHR services, an undertaking which revealed that only three of the nine essential SRHR services are comprehensively integrated into UHC policies. To advance advocacy dialogue on universal access to SRHR, UNFPA is seeking to engage a consultant to develop a policy brief on SRHR in UHC. This policy brief is expected to enhance policymakers' and influencers' understanding of how to progressively integrate comprehensive SRHR into UHC. This brief is also expected to include potential actions for embedding comprehensive SRHR in UHC across life-course to accelerate progress towards: (a) universal SRHR; (b) sustainable financing of SRHR; and, (c) UNFPA transformative goals of ending: unmet need for family planning; preventable maternal deaths; and, gender-based violence and harmful practices.
The specific objectives of the consultancy are to ;
a) Conduct an in-depth review of the SRHR in the UHC report, and other strategic documents.
b) Produce a policy brief towards progressively integrating comprehensive SRHR into UHC.
Major Activities/Expected Deliverables
1. Draft policy brief (not more than four pages)
2. Final and approved policy brief
3. PowerPoint Presentation capturing the main findings of the report
Duration and working schedule:
The assignment shall not exceed a period of 10 working days spread across 2 months (payment will only be towards the 10 working days) See the ttached TORs for more details
Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and competencies;
a) An advanced degree in Public Health, Public Policy, Global Health, Social Sciences, Development Practice or related fields.
b) At least 7 years of progressive experience conducting analytical work including producing synthesis reports, and policy briefs.
c) Have knowledge and/or past experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights including family planning and gender-based violence.
d) Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team
e) Experience with the UN and/or UNFPA on similar assignments.
f) The consultant should be able to provide examples of past relevant assignments.
How to apply: Interested applicants should send a technical and financial proposal, letter of motivation and a detailed CV with the subject clearly stated "Consultancy – Policy Brief on integrating SRHR into UHC policies" to mollentze@unfpa.org
