Purpose of consultancy
UNFPA DRC seeks to recruit a national consultant to provide technical assistance to the DRC in undertaking the Strategic Assessment on unintended pregnancies, contraceptives, SGBV and unsafe abortion. Specifically, the consultant will undertake a situational analysis and develop a background paper for the DRC that reviews existing laws, policies, strategies, guidelines, programmatic data and research related to unintended pregnancies, contraceptives and abortion and the extent to which HIV, SGBV and other critical SRHR services are integrated and provided as part of the package of services.
The findings of the Background paper will be used as the basis for engaging national stakeholders, including policy and decision makers from government, civil society, academia, faith based and traditional leaders, development partners and other relevant stakeholders in a national workshop. The national stakeholder workshop will culminate in discussions and formulation of strategic questions which would then inform and guide the strategic assessment.
A strategic Assessment as the first stage of the WHO Strategic Approach is a country-led process that facilitates a national team to identify and prioritise needs and potential follow-up actions related to critical sexual and reproductive health issues, such as prevention of unintended pregnancy, meeting clients needs for contraception services; prevention and management of sexual and gender based violence; and strengthening programming on comprehensive abortion care within the confines of national laws. It provides the foundation for planning, developing and testing policy and service-delivery interventions (Stage II) and scaling-up regional or national programmes (Stage III).
Furthermore, a strategic assessment generates information, understanding, and consensus about sexual and reproductive health needs as well as a national mandate for addressing them.
Scope of work:
Development of the country Background Paper that reviews the existing literature comprising of existing laws, policies, strategies, guidelines, programmes, data and research that address unintended pregnancies, contraceptives, clinical management of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and comprehensive abortion care (CAC), including post abortion care services. In particular, the literature review will:
Examine political, social, cultural and religious factors Provide an overview of the current institutional, legal and implementation framework Drawing upon national guidelines provide details on the where, by who and how contraceptive, SGBV and comprehensive abortion services are offered in the country.. Provide details on existing in-service and pre-service training for health care workers and community health care workers and the extent to which these address unintended pregnancies, CMR, contraception and CAC. Provide details about available contraceptives, including the method mix and abortion technologies. Provide details about available PEP Kits and implementation of frontline support to victims of violence as recommended by WHO. Assess the major success, barriers and constraints to the provision of contraceptive, SGBV services and CACservices Review existing research, and any other SRHR and comprehensive abortion care (CAC) assessments conducted in the country and programmatic data, including DHIS 2, to determine the current situation regarding unintended pregnancies, contraceptives, SGBV and CAC including post-abortion care in the context of the legal provisions of the country concerned. Identify indicators that are not collected through DHIS 2 and identify the level of disaggregation of data related to adolescent health issues. Data should include Access to contraceptives and the contraceptive method mix, the morbidity and mortality related to unsafe abortion, the extent to which clients are receiving CAC in the context of local laws. All data should be disaggregated by age, gender and district/region and socio-economic status. Identify legal, institutional, implementation gaps or areas requiring further enquiry or analysis and make recommendations to be included as part of the field work for the strategic assessment..Participate in the national stakeholder Planning Meeting and the Training workshop for the Assessment team to:
Present the Background Paper during the National Stakeholder Planning Meeting and facilitate discussions and formulation of strategic questions which would then inform and guide the strategic assessment; Support facilitation of the country team in identifying areas for further inquiry to be included in the field work; Support the training of the Assessment team to refine the stakeholder assessment questions and develop the actual assessment tools and guides. Support the development, pilot testing and finalisation of the assessment tools in preparation for fieldwork.Contribute to the final Assessment Report, ensuring that the findings from the Background Paper are integrated effectively.
Duration and working schedule:
This total number of working days to complete this assignment is 28 days over a period of 2 months and will commence on 23 June 2025.
The number of working days are disaggregated as follows.
Inception report outlining methodology, approach and timeline to the development of the Background paper (3 days). Develop one thematic background paper on unintended pregnancies, contraceptives, SGBV and unsafe abortion and power point presentation (Total 15 days) Undertake a desk review (3days) Develop Draft Background Paper (6 days) Incorporate reviewers comments from 2 revisions (3 days) Finalise Background Paper and submit ( 3 days) Prepare presentation on the background paper and participate in the national Stakeholder Planning Meeting (3 days) Support facilitation of the training for the assessment team (5) days Support finalisation of the final Assessment report ensuring integration of the Background paper inputs (2 days)Place where services are to be delivered:
The consultant will carry out the assignment remotely. Where there is a need for discussions, virtual meeting tools will be used to minimize the need for face-to- face meetings.
Delivery dates and how work will be delivered
Final deliverables will be agreed upon in consultation with the Ministry of Health focal person and the UNFPA and WHO Country Offices. Final deliverables are expected by 23 October 2025
Deliverables will comprise the following:
Inception report within 1-week of the contract commencement. Electronic copy of draft background paper within 3 weeks of the contract Electronic copy of the final Background paper within 7 weeks of the contract Powerpoint Presentation of the Background paper (to be presented during the national stakeholder planning meeting to be planned)The final Background Paper shall be submitted 1 week before contract end date.
Monitoring and progress control
All documents will be submitted electronically upon completion for review by the Ministry of Health, WHO and UNFPA. Final copies will incorporate comments from the reviews and the outcomes of the national planning workshops.
Supervisory arrangements:
The consultant will contractually work under the supervision of the RH Team Lead at UNFPA DRC.
The final approval of the Background paper will be subject to the approval by the UNFPA and nominated lead at the Ministry of Health and the WHO focal point.
Required expertise, qualifications and competencies
Masters (Licence) or Higher in Public Health, Development Studies or related fields with experience in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) or MBCHB (Obstetrician/gynaecologist or Public Health Specialist) with 7 years experience in sexual and reproductive health A good understanding of policies, research and strategies. Over ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional work or research experience within sexual and reproductive health, Prior experience with conducting qualitative and quantitative research and consultancies. Good analytical and writing skills in French and English Prior experience as a research consultant, To be a citizen of Democratic Republic of Congo or have a valid work permit for DRCOther informations:
UNFPA and WHO Country Office will provide relevant support and guidance to ensure the successful undertaking of this consultancy.
UNFPA and WHO country offices will support the Ministry of Health in identifying an appropriate time and coordinating logistics for the national stakeholders' workshops, ensuring that all relevant national stakeholders are invited to participate. Additionally, they will identify all relevant stakeholders to form part of the national team to be trained and conduct the fieldwork.
WHO and UNFPA will provide some of the relevant documents to facilitate the desk review.
The consultant is expected to research and find relevant additional information.
The Consultant will be expected to provide their own equipment and working space and the conference facilities
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