Purpose of Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy will be to support Botswana in rolling-out the MISP Readiness Assessment (MRA) between March and April 2022. The consultant will be responsible for coordinating the process and collecting the needed documents to conduct the MRA in close collaboration with MoHW. The MRA is to be completed no later than 15 April 2022.
Background:
Botswana has made great strides to improve the health and wellbeing of its population and is committed to achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The Government of Botswana’s NDP11, Vision 2036, National Health Policies and their corresponding strategic frameworks articulate action towards the achievement of the country’s health related goals. Through Vision 2036 Botswana commits to domesticating “human rights treaties that aim to promote gender equality, empower women and make a deliberate effort to end gender discrimination and gender -based violence”. The detailed policy frameworks further lay the foundation for placing improvement of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV/AIDS and addressing gender equality at the center of the development agenda. The associated strategies, guidelines and service standards of the Ministry of Health and Wellness articulate the approach of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through strengthening SRHR and HIV& AIDS and other services integration to improve health outcomes for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), young people, women and all people. Despite this relatively favourable policy environment to advance universal access to SRHR, indicators including maternal mortality continue to exceed the national targets. With a target of 54 deaths per 100, 000 live births by 2030, the current Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 166.3 deaths per 100, 000 live births are off track. If the current MMR trends continue, it is unlikely the country will achieve the 2030 SDG target.
COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted gaps in the country’s emergency preparedness and response to shocks, health epidemics and humanitarian disasters. This has weakened the health system resilience with an adverse impact on the continuity of SRH services whose interruption may lead to gaps in preventing unintended and adverse SRH, maternal and newborn health outcomes such a surge in unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy complications, violence against women and young girls as well as maternal and infant mortality. There is a need to step up efforts to strengthen the health system resilience and capacity to improve coverage and equitable access to high-quality integrated, rightsbased SRH, including linkages to HIV and GBV; and other services, particularly for women, adolescents and young people.
The Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH is a collection of minimum actions to be implemented at the onset of crisis—within 48 hours—to help reduce mortality and morbidity related to sexual and reproductive health. Despite recognizing the importance of providing lifesaving SRH care during emergencies and it being acknowledged in international standard documents such as the Sphere Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, several evaluations on MISP implementation showed that essential SRH services are still not consistently implemented. Greater efforts are needed to ensure availability of SRH care for all during emergencies and this includes strengthening preparedness efforts. As summarized in the 2020 MISP Readiness Assessment (MRA) (MRA) guidelines, “sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs are not put on pause during emergencies—and often increase due to disruptions to health systems, displacement and breakdowns in societal protection and social structures. Pregnancies, complications, risk of STI and HIV transmission and the wish to access contraceptives do not stop when an emergency strikes. In addition, the risks of unsafe abortions, unsafe deliveries and sexual- and gender-based violence can worsen during times of crisis and exacerbate the existing vulnerability of women, girls, marginalized and underserved groups. To mitigate these risks, access to quality SRH care in emergencies is essential.
Despite recognizing the importance of providing lifesaving SRH care during emergencies and it being acknowledged in international standard documents such as the Sphere Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, several evaluations on MISP implementation showed that essential SRH services are still not consistently implemented. Greater efforts are needed to ensure availability of SRH care for all during emergencies and this includes strengthening preparedness efforts.”
It is within this background and context that UNFPA Botswana is commissioning a consultancy to support the Ministry of Health and Wellness to assess the country’s readiness to provide Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Emergencies.
Scope of work
The consultant will:
1. Support MoHW in identifying and contacting key partners to be involved in the MRA Process (See Step 1 of MRA Process)
2. Collect and prepare supporting documents for facilitators such as policies, guidelines, etc. (see Step 2 of MRA Process)
3. Support MoHW and partners in the completion of the MRA Questionnaire
4. Develop invitation letters, including a brief description of the process as well as the key objectives of the workshop
5. Support MoHW and partners in organizing and facilitating the MRA workshop (see Step 3, Step 4 and Step 5)
6. Compile answers to the MRA Questionnaire based on input from [add name] and key stakeholders
7. Draft SRH Preparedness action plan based on results from the questionnaire and discussions with partners
More details are on the attached Terms of Reference
To apply:
Letter of interest, CV with evidence of qualifications and experience and a detailed technical and financial proposal to be sent to mollentze@unfpa.org with email subject clearly stated Individual Consultant - MISP Readiness Assessment
