United States of America: Consultant to support work on innovations for Community Health Workers (BackPack Plus), and alignment with the RMNCH Secretariat
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 14 Oct 2013
Terms of Reference
Consultant to support work on innovations for Community Health Workers (BackPack Plus), and alignment with the RMNCH Secretariat in preparation for the CCM Evidence Symposium
***Background
As a program priority area to address inequities, UNICEF supports numerous countries with the accelerated scale-up of integrated Community Case Management Programmes (iCCM), expanding cost-effective and life-saving treatments for children suffering from the major child killers - pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria, which account for the majority of post-neonatal deaths in Africa. The core of iCCM is the training, deployment and supervision of Community Health Workers (CHWs) as the front-line workforce bringing essential treatment closer to communities and especially targeting hard to reach areas. When well-equipped and trained, CHWs can prevent and treat these conditions and significantly reduce U5 mortality. Despite the existing efforts in this space, CHWs are often unable to reach their full potential due to challenges with funding, variations in standards, and untapped opportunities. There have been tremendous advances in recent years in implementation of iCCM programs at scale, and UNICEF is convening a global iCCM Evidence Symposium in December 2013 to consolidate the latest evidence, best practice and impact from iCCM country program experience.
The CHW BackPack Plus initiative (BP+) is a human-centered approach to empowering Community Health Workers (CHWs) and enhancing their ability to save children’s lives from the most common causes of under-five mortality. It is based on close engagement with CHWs, partners, and representatives from Ministries of Health at a country-level. In addition, the approach has been designed through extensive consultation with technical leads from the global iCCM community. Phase 1 involved research with CHWs in both Uganda and Senegal and produced three specific outputs:• A framework that outlines the critical ‘hard’ components – medicines and other life-saving commodities, tools, and diagnostics – as well as ‘soft’ components – training, supervision, incentives, and supervision – necessary for empowering CHWs. This framework can serve as a vehicle to support country planning around CHWs (e.g. to support gap analysis and a diagnostic) as well as a tool for consolidating and aligning fragmented activity.
• A physical kit and storage box that can facilitate advocacy around front line delivery and that can also enable more efficient and higher quality care through streamlined workflow and improved guidance.• An emblem that can be integrated globally into CHW programs and that can help build a common sense of purpose across CHW programsAs a collective toolkit, these elements – the framework, kit and storage box, and emblem – can serve as a reference point for country programs. In addition, these tools can support dissemination of guidance, evidence, and best practices collected by the iCCM Task Force, UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodites for Women and Children including the technical working groups on Diahorrea and Pneumonia, and other groups. Phase 1 of this project was sponsored by UNICEF, Save the Children and the MDG Health Alliance. The One Million Community Health Worker campaign is also a close partner on a shared mission to strengthen CHW programs around the world. Many more partners, including USAID, the Gates Foundation, PSI, and others, contributed substantial expertise and guidance to Phase 1 of this project. Collaborative efforts are now focused on roll-out to the country level.
As a component of the BP+ and iCCM systems approach, mobile technologies phones offer an unprecedented opportunity to address longstanding bottlenecks that have long been a barrier to health programs. Particularly – strategic use of technology can solve problems of time, distance and coordination in the delivery of health services. Solving these issues can provide opportunities to better link community health services to the formal health system in underserved and remote communities, and offer the ability to directly target and interact with even the most remote health consumers. UNICEF’s work in this area focuses around:• Generating Demand: Empowering Community Health Workers by implementing mobile solutions that support and recognise their work, link them with the formal health system, and help them deliver a better quality of care;• Ensuring Supply: Using the information that national mHealth systems can generate to better manage programs in real time.
To further collective goals on reduction of maternal and child mortality, the RMNCH Steering Committee – has been established to help support better coordination and collaboration of RMNCH partners in countries under the Every Women Every Child banner, and in response to country RMNCH needs and gaps. This follows the report of the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children (UNCoLSC) and implementation of the report’s recommendations, includingsharpening and supporting RMNCH plans, which is recognized as being central in providing a major push towards reducing child mortality (MDG 4) and improving maternal health (MDG 5). This work also contributes to UNICEF’s support to countries as part of A Promise Renewed. Strengthening and supporting CHW systems and iCCM delivery platforms will be necessary elements of RMNCH country plans, and the BP+ framework can provide a common and comprehensive approach for country planning.
***Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy will be to support work on the CHW BackPack Plus initiative in preparation for the CCM Evidence Symposium, and to help align BP+ with other related UNICEF health and innovation activities, including the RMNCH Steering Committee. and in cooperation with the Innovation Unit.
***Main Tasks Required:
• Maintain regular communication with BP+ partners (MDG Health Alliance, Save the Children, One Million Community Health Worker Campaign, CCM Task Force) to facilitate collaborative strengthening of CHW/iCCM programs in line with the BP+ framework;• Work with the ‘Evidence to Action’ team to prepare country engagement case studies for the CCM Evidence Symposium, and help to incorporate and disseminate latest evidence and best practice for CHW programs arising from the Symposium ; • Respond to queries from Supply Division on physical elements in the BP+ toolkit (medicines, diagnostics, job aids, storage kits etc.) to help define generic kit and specialized kits for different country contexts• Liaise with the RMNCH Trust Fund Secretariat and pathfinder countries to support incorporation of CHW support elements into country funding proposals to strengthen delivery of essential MNCH commodities• Help to identify potential new sources of funding for CHW scale up and for bringing health care close to the community; create an ‘investment case’ for donors
***Expected Results:• Based on review and compilation of existing materials and lessons learned, a draft omprehensive framework and technical program guidance for supporting country scale-up of CHW programs, that provides countries with existing best practice tools for CHW programs and iCCM delivery and investment in new approaches (e.g. for data collection and live monitoring; training materials; physical bags and storage boxes) • Draft comprehensive plans to deliver effective, high-impact CHW programs in line with BP+ framework within national health plans, based on review of select national plans, including RMNCH plans where appropriate.
***Duration: 4 months
• 01 November 2013 to 28 February 2014
***Duty Station: Consultant will be based at the New York HQ. Some travel is anticipated.
Key skills, technical background, and experience required:• Graduate degree in public health, international development or related field; or degree in design or MBA and 5 years relevant experience in public health• At least 5 years of relevant experience working in an area related to public health, international health or development programs (familiarity and experience with the primary work areas of community health workers and mobile technologies would be an added advantage);• Good analytical, organizational and writing skills; • Experience in creating clear and visually appealing technical guidance;• Ability to work independently and in a team, and in a diverse work environment;• Understanding of the UN system• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships with UNICEF staff.• Familiarity with the work of the global CCM Task Force, the M-Health Alliance and UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children is an asset
***General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors
Legal StatusThe individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.
ObligationsThe Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.
The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.
In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.
Title rightsUNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.
TravelIf UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis: (a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.
(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.Statement of good healthBefore commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.
InsuranceThe Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.
Service incurred death, injury or illness If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).
Arbitration(c) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.
(d) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.Penalties for UnderperformancePayment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect.
Termination of ContractThis contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.
TaxationUNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor.
How to apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and signed P11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “Consultancy, Support work on innovations for Community Health Workers,” by 14 October 2013, 5:00 PM (New York time). Please indicate your ability, availability, and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.Joint Applications with two or more individuals are not accepted.
