Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to coordinate implementation of advocacy projects at the global level and capacity building efforts for domestic resource mobilization (DRM) in context of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership’s Compact agreements and co-financing model.

Background

As part of Phase III, UNFPA Supplies Partnership has shifted from a funding to financing model, requiring programme countries to significantly increase domestically raised contributions towards procurement of quality-assured RH/FP commodities. A Compact agreement is required to be signed by participating programme countries, clearly outlining the domestic financing contributions and formalizing commitments. The programme has also launched a new financing initiative, the Match Fund pilot, to match domestic financing for quality-assured reproductive health/family planning (RH/FP) commodities.

UNFPA’s advocacy efforts have resulted in some notable successes in realizing domestic financing commitments made in the Compact and to leverage the Match Fund pilot. However, several Country Offices have pointed to the need for additional tools and guidance that can be used to design, adapt and monitor advocacy interventions at the country level.

Through a funding grant, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) is supporting UNFPA’s efforts to strengthen advocacy for DRM for family planning at the country level, including the implementation of new domestic financing initiatives under the UNFPA Supplies Partnership.

This consultancy will work under the direct supervision of the Global Health Financing/RHCS Technical Specialist (CSB/TD), and in close collaboration with the Financing Team in CSB and the Regional Offices (WCARO and ESARO).

Scope of work

The selected consultant will complete the following activities for UNFPA/TD/CSB:

1. Provide technical advice to make DRM an integral part of the programme country’s health systems strengthening efforts using the UNFPA Supplies Partnership’s financing model in alignment with the DRM Advocacy Project.
2. Participate in regular meetings with the Advocacy Project team providing guidance and high-level recommendations on implementation.
3. Provide inputs to the development of the “Advocacy for DRM for FP strategic approach” guidance document.
4. Lead and coordinate development of regular, bimonthly and annual reports on the implementation of the project in the region and to support the development of additional reports as required.
5. Coordinate and co-facilitate /facilitate SMART advocacy workshops in selected countries.
6. Lead development of the country-led SMART Advocacy strategies/plans in alignment with UNFPA Supplies co-financing model and Match Fund objectives.
7. Identify barriers and their causes to Compact agreement’s implementation and provide technical support in developing a country specific tactical approach to the effective implementation of the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Compact agreements commitments with lessons from other models like the Memorandum of agreement.
8. Understand and respond to the needs of the field through the regional offices, in developing and updating policies, frameworks, guidance, standards, instruments and tools in advocacy for DRM.
9. Contribute to technical assistance efforts with global partners such as the FP2030 and other multi-and bilaterals, technical agencies and foundations and develop joint SMART Advocacy approaches for UNFPA global leadership in this area.
10. Produce regular bimonthly and annual reports on the capacity building activities conducted and support the development of other reports as required.
11. Design and coordinate capacity building efforts on SMART advocacy with FP2030 existing opportunities, leveraging existing and new opportunities for collaboration.

Capacity Development

1. Lead the implementation of the global Advocacy for DRM training plan which includes coordination and co-facilitation of SMART advocacy workshops.
2. Liaise with UNFPA Regional and Country Offices focal points to provide technical guidance for the development of SMART Advocacy training across the UNFPA Supplies partnership countries.
3. Design and conduct a series of SMART Advocacy webinars to orient country offices on the use of the SMART approach to build TA applications.
4. Coordinate and conduct orientation webinars on SMART advocacy for the Regional and country offices.
5. Establish operational guidance in SMART Advocacy, in collaboration with other UNFPA RO and HQ, in respect to the SMART Advocacy approach for DRM.
6. Maintain and foster substantive, intellectual global partnerships in FP DRM Advocacy for advancing state-of-the-art knowledge and ensure that state of the art thinking Advocacy for DRM is integrated within the work of CSB/Supplies and partnership networks.
7. Support focus countries in adaptation and utilization of training materials, guidelines, and manuals in required for DRM Advocacy.
8. Contribute to and validate a roster of international experts and institutions in SMART Advocacy; support countries in promoting and participating in South-South Cooperation as a modality of integrated technical assistance.
9. Coach and supervise consultants/facilitators and facilitate working groups and task teams.

Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination

1. Support the development of a light-touch assessment of the pilot which draws on key informant interviews and presents key findings, lessons learned, and best practices related to DRM advocacy, in coordination with an external consultant.
2. Lead the analysis and synthesis of trends and research findings in SMART Advocacy in order to produce cutting edge technical knowledge.
3. Contribute to developing a mechanism to share technical skills and knowledge within and among programme countries and globally in the area of expertise.
4. Facilitate and help maintain and make accessible databases on best practices partnerships and consultant rosters and help ensure their accessibility.
5. Collect, analyze, and synthesize information/data and experience on programme priorities to be used in global advocacy.
6. Consolidate lessons learned and best practices across the scale up and integration of the SMART approach within UNFPA Supplies DRM efforts.
7. Support the USAID/UNFPA DRM joint practice group meetings coordination efforts and provide technical orientation when required.

​​​​​​​Expected travel

Travel may be required to facilitate in-person workshops as deemed necessary by UNFPA, approximately 20%-30%.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience with master’s degree, PhD or equivalent experience in public health, medicine, sociology, demography, economics, international relations, international development, public administration, management or another related field.
• Facilitation skills and skills in involvement of diverse and inter-disciplinary stakeholders; knowledge and experience (5-7 years) in facilitating SMART Advocacy workshops/interventions.
• Strong technical knowledge and expertise in health financing and SRHR, including family planning.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing technical meetings in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Extensive experience in successfully organizing and moderating high-level meetings.
• Extensive experience of successfully organizing and moderating workshops for international organizations including the United Nations.
• Extensive network within the development community.
• Good knowledge of the UN system, national programmes, principles of aid effectiveness, and awareness of the role of UN civil society partners at regional and national levels.
• Considerable experience working on development issues including in developing countries. Field experience is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills; Strong written and verbal skills in English; French language desirable.​​​​​​​

How to Apply

Please send your resumes with “Training coordinator for Domestic Resource Mobilization and Advocacy Consultant” quoted in the subject line to [email protected] and [email protected] by 14th September 2023.

Late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advanced to the next stage of the selection process.