Country Mapping Consultant

PROJECT SUMMARY

Following upon a successful phase 1 of a small grants program in South and East Asia, CORE Group is developing and implementing Phase 2 of a participatory 3-year small grants program to advance Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) programming, policy, and interventions in priority countries within East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar and Malawi) by providing financial, SRMNCAH technical, and organizational resources to local women-led, youth-led, people with disabilities-led organizations, and other community-based organizations. This approach will strengthen local and national organizations’ technical and organizational capacity to design and implement community-based solutions to SRMNCAH challenges, focusing on gender transformation, quality of care, and health equity.

The project will primarily focus on the overall outcome of: Community-based solutions for SRMNCAH developed in this project strengthen the national health system to become sustainable in the longer term.

Additionally, the project has the following objectives:

Objective 1: To strengthen the technical and organizational capacity of selected partners implementing SRMNCAH programs

Objective 2: To provide critical financial resources to women-led, youth-led, people with disabilities-led organizations, and other minorities-led organizations to implement SRMNCAH programs.

Objective 3: To construct an improved grantmaking mechanism for RMNCAH through a participatory approach of all the parties involved in the small grants program.

Objective 4: To implement successful RMNACH interventions in three selected countries, with a particular focus on women and girls.

CONSULTANCY DESCRIPTION

The Country Mapping Consultant will be responsible for identifying key issues and gaps in SRMNCAH work in the identified priority countries of Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar and Malawi. The mapping will include an analysis of SRMNCAH indicators for each country with a focus on regional or other disparities in each country. Additionally, the mapping should look at the current prioirities of the Ministry of Health in each country, as well as the focus of donor funded work. It should also include an overview of civil society (especially in the health sector) in the country with a focus on national organizations. The mapping should report on enabling and prohibiting factors such as the policy environment and security concerns, as well as human rights.

Analysis should also cover current financial commitments, climate and humanitarian crisis vulnerability, and corruption.

RESPONSIBILITIES

General responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following:

Research and analyze the SRMNCAH environment in each country and the broader context

• Desk review of relevant SRMNCAH documents including DHS, WHO, UNICEF, donor, government, etc.
• Use of the Lives Saved Tool as part of the indicator and intervention analysis.
• Research and provide an overview of the MOH and other health commitments in the country
• Research into the existence and strength of civil society organizations
• Analysis of the broader socio-cultural, political and security context of each country

Deliverables

• Timeline for mapping
  • Outline of mapping report
  • Draft report of mapping including the following sections: (other sections may be added)
    • Country report for each country
    • Comparison of the countries in terms of health indicators and other factors
    • Recommendations for country selection based on findings
    • References
  • Final report incorporating comments of CORE Group

REQUIREMENTS

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public health, international studies, international development, or relevant educational training; concentrations of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health preferred
  • Three to five years of experience working in global health or international development, preferably with some time living in a low-income country.
  • Experience working with low-and-middle-income countries with equitable approaches.
  • Excellent research and writing skills. History of writing reports, research or publications.
  • Self-starter who can work independently.
• Knowledge of East Africa preferred.
  • Fluency in English writing, speaking, and reading is required. Fluency in French reading is preferred.

Individuals from the Global South are encouraged to apply, as well as women, people living with disabilities, indigenous persons, and members of the LGBTQI+ community.