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Qualifications
1. Purpose of consultancy ย ย
The purpose of hiring a consultant is to draft national legislation, laws or policies that should be implemented according to the national will to fully support abortion care.
Specific Objectives
โข Review all national laws, policies and other formal instruments on abortion or sexual and reproductive rights, and identify the need for updating or adaptation, in accordance with WHO recommendations;
โข Review all laws, policies and other formal international instruments signed and/or ratified by Guinea-Bissau, on abortion or sexual and reproductive rights, and identify the need for regulation or adaptation, according to the national reality;
โข Hold public consultations (as many as necessary) to find out the real public and parliamentary will to liberalize abortion;
โข Develop a proposal for national legislation on abortion, and recommend whether it should be a law, policy or other formal instrument and its legislative process;
โข Submit the preliminary draft of the regulation to the Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health Technical Working Group (SRMNIA/GTT) for discussion and validation.
2. Background ย
Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is a fundamental human right. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having enjoyable and safe sexual experiences, free from coercion, discrimination and violence. However, the ability of men and women to achieve sexual health and well-being depends on access to comprehensive and good-quality information about sex and sexuality; knowledge of the risks they may face and their vulnerability to the adverse consequences of unprotected sexual activity; access to quality sexual health care; and living in an environment that proclaims and promotes sexual health.
Sexual health issues are broad and encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, relationships and pleasure. They also include negative consequences or conditions such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), reproductive tract infections and their adverse outcomes such as cancer and infertility, unwanted pregnancy and abortion, sexual dysfunction, sexual violence and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation.
Unsafe abortion is a major but preventable cause of maternal death and morbidity. It can lead to physical and mental health complications, and social and financial burdens for women, communities and health systems. Every year, 6 in 10 pregnancies (estimated by WHO at 121 million per year) are unintended, and 3 in 10 of these pregnancies end in induced abortion. WHO further estimates that around 45% of all abortions are unsafe, of which 97% occur in developing countries
But abortion, according to the WHO, is a common and safe health intervention when performed using a WHO-recommended method that is appropriate for the stage of pregnancy and performed by a professional with the necessary skills. However, when women with unwanted pregnancies face obstacles to obtaining a quality abortion, they often resort to unsafe abortion.
Ensuring that women and girls have access to abortion care that is based on science and evidence, including being safe, respectful and non-discriminatory, is fundamental to public health and human rights, and also enables the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to good health and well-being (SDG3) and gender equality (SDG5). WHO therefore recommends ensuring access to quality health care, including comprehensive abortion care services, which include information, abortion management and post-abortion care. Lack of access to safe, timely, affordable and respectful abortion care poses a risk not only to the physical, but also to the mental and social well-being of women and girls.
Despite efforts by WHO Member States and partners in recent years, access to comprehensive abortion and contraceptive care and overall maternal health challenges remain a significant public health problem in the African Region. Indeed, unsafe abortion remains a significant cause of maternal mortality in most countries in the African Region. Multiple barriers prevent women from resorting to unsafe abortion. These include legal restrictions, lack of trained service providers, limited availability of safe abortion services, standardized guidelines and procedures, and stigma and discrimination surrounding abortion. As a result, millions of girls and women in the African Region undergo unsafe abortions every year, resulting in thousands of maternal deaths.
In this context, with the aim of strengthening abortion care, and ensuring the provision of high-quality services based on evidence, legal procedures or an enlightening legal framework and standardized conduct, which can be taken to a national scale, it is intended to hire a national consultant to review and update abortion legislation.
3. Deliverables
โข Present an outline/action plan to achieve the consultancy results;
โข Document existing legislation and gaps;
โข Lead the organization of national consultations;ย
โข In collaboration with the Directorate of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (DSSSR) and the SRMNIA/GTT, organize and facilitate group work to discuss new recommendations for abortion legislation and its adaptation to the country's context;
โข Develop the first drafts of legislation and present them to the GTT;
โข Write minutes and action points for the GTT meeting;
โข Incorporate input from the technical working group meeting into the draft document;
โข Share the final draft legislation with the GTT for final input;
โข Submit final abortion legislation.
4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications ย ย
Essential: Master Degree in Legal Science; Master's Degree in Social or Political Sciences
Desirable: Master's degree in Constitution, Forensic Sciences or another area related to work.
Experience ย
Essential:ย
โข Proven work experience of at least 7 years in the field of law, advocacy or other legal areas;
โข Proven experience in the preparation and/or adaptation of technical, regulatory, legislative and health-related documents;
Desirable:
โข In-depth knowledge of national and international legislative and guiding documents in general and human rights in particular;
โข Knowledge of the national legislative regime and rights to sexual and reproductive or maternal health will be highlighted;
โข Experience working/consulting with international organizations such as the UN system or others will be an asset.
Skills/Knowledge
Essential:
โข Knowledge of the legislation of Guinea-Bissau;
โข Good analytical, planning and organizational skills;
โข Ability to lead, work as part of a team and communicate with different stakeholders;
โข Ability to work independently, under pressure, managing time and in a multicultural environment;
โข Proven ability to provide relevant advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners;
โข Good command of computer tools: word processing (Word, Power Point);
โข Proven experience in coordinating and reporting on the work of multiple teams and financial resources at a national level;
โข Ability to propose innovative approaches and solutions to difficult situations.
Desirable:
Punctuality, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy and commitment to the quality of products delivered.
Languages and level required
Essential: Expert knowledge of Portuguese
Intermediate knowledge of English or French will be an added value
5. Locationย
Guinea-Bissau
The consultant will work in coordination with the Directorate of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Bissau and will be required to provide a weekly report on the status of the activity to the WHO office.
6. Travelย
It is expected that the consultant will only travel within Guinea-Bissau for the aforementioned community consultations.
7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)
a. Remuneration: The Consultant will be recruited as a P4 earning a monthly fee of USD 8,490 (eight thousand four hundred and ninety US dollars).
b. Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited): currency and rate ย N/A ย ย
c. Expected duration of contract: Three (3) monthsย
Hiring Manager: KAMBIRE-DIARRA, Dr Marie Chantal Haoua (kambirec@who.int)
Collaborators: PASCOAL, Dr Eva das Dores (pascoale@who.int)
Admin focal point: DE ALMEIDA RIBEIRO Maria Manuela. ribeirom@who.int
Additional Information:
โข This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
โข Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
โข A written test may be used as a form of screening.
โข If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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โข The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.ย
โข The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.ย
โข Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to ย reasonableaccommodation@who.intย
โข An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
โข WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
โข WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
โข Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.ย
โข WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
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