Consultant- Assessing the Effectiveness of UNFPA-Supported Community-Based Distribution Models of FP Commodities in Addressing Unmet Need in Yambio and Maridi- South Sudan

Introduction

Family planning is a catalytic investment for sustainable development where for every $1 strategically invested in family planning governments unlock a remarkable potential to save up to $6 across crucial sectors like healthcare education and social welfare. Key to note is that this isnt just about economics; its about human potential. When women and young people have consistent access to a comprehensive range of contraceptives the ripple effects are transformative. They are empowered to complete their education without unintended interruptions actively participate in the workforce with greater stability and earning potential and make informed decisions about the size and timing of their families. This autonomy allows them to envision and plan for brighter futures breaking cycles of poverty and fostering healthier more educated and economically vibrant communities. Ultimately prioritizing family planning is not merely a health intervention; its a foundational pillar for national prosperity driving progress across all levels of society and ensuring a more equitable and sustainable future for all. (UNFPA 2017)

Despite its profound importance for individual well-being and national development South Sudan grapples with a critical deficit in family planning access. The latest data reveals a deeply concerning truth: a staggering 29% of women aged 15-49 years in South Sudan have an unmet need for contraception (FP 2030 South Sudan 2024). This isnt just a statistic; it represents a significant portion of the female population facing barriers to controlling their reproductive health and charting their own futures.

This challenge is compounded by a complex interplay of factors including conflict and displacement (UNHCR 2023) limited health infrastructure and human resources (WHO 2021) deeply rooted socio-cultural norms and beliefs surrounding family size and gender roles (Guttmacher Institute 2020) and logistical hurdles related to supply chains and access to remote areas (Logistics Cluster 2022).

Background  

UNFPA has been actively supporting the delivery of reproductive health services in South Sudan with a specific focus on addressing unmet need for family planning (FP) especially in underserved communities. Given the significant barriers to accessing healthcare services such as a limited number of health facilities inadequately trained personnel geographical challenges negative cultural and social norms associated with these settings and a highly patriarchal social structure having a gendered impact on the access to and control over the family planning choices UNFPA through Amref has implemented community-based distribution (CBD) models to enhance access to FP commodities and services particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas like Yambio and Maridi.

The Community-Based Distribution (CBD) model in Yambio and Maridi seeks to reduce unmet family planning (FP) needs by improving access choice and education. The program trains Boma Health Workers (BHWs) to offer counselling and a variety of contraceptives supported by a dependable supply chain ensuring services reach underserved areas. Alongside this targeted education campaigns address misconceptions engage men and promote community ownership helping to overcome cultural and religious barriers. As awareness and acceptance increase more women and couples adopt modern contraception leading to a measurable decline in unmet FP needs. This results in healthier birth spacing lower maternal and child mortality and greater reproductive autonomy. Long-term success hinges on sustained community leadership stable funding and security. Through this initiative UNFPA and Amref aim to not only enhance health outcomes but also build stronger more resilient communities where individuals can freely exercise their reproductive rights

Problem statement

South Sudan faces a significant challenge in addressing unmet family planning (FP) needs particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas such as Yambio and these regions limited access to healthcare facilities coupled with socio-cultural barriers and logistical constraints prevents many women and couples from obtaining essential FP commodities and services. These barriers contribute to high rates of unintended pregnancies maternal health complications and overall poor reproductive health outcomes.

The introduction of the CBD model to address the inherent challenges at the community level which include barriers to access and choice cost and community ownership of the program to ultimately address the unmet need of family planning has proven to be a successful intervention in many settings across the sub-region.

Purpose & Objectives

This assessment will provide an independent assessment of the CBD model being implemented in Yambio and Maridi South Sudan.

The main objective:

To assess the relevance effectiveness impact and sustainability of UNFPA-supported community-based distribution models of FP commodities in addressing unmet need in Yambio and Maridi South Sudan.

The primary objectives of this study are

• To assess the extent the CBD models are aligned to the needs and priorities of the target communities considering an understanding of the gender identity age and disability.
• Determine the extent to which the CBD models have achieved their intended outcomes in increasing access to and utilization of FP commodities positive change in the socio-cultural practices and the gender inequality towards FP.
• Evaluate the factors that contribute to or hinder the long-term viability and integration of the CBD models within the existing health system and community structures including identifying the community structures more accessible to women and girls.
• Identify specific actionable and evidence-based gender age and disability-specific recommendations for strengthening the design implementation and sustainability of the CBD models.

Scope/Criteria:

Criteria for Assessment: The evaluation will examine the program across five key dimensions: relevance effectiveness impact sustainability and actionable recommendations.

Geographical Scope: The study will concentrate on two intervention regionsYambio and Maridi in South Sudanencompassing 50 administrative units (35 in Yambio and 15 in Maridi).

Programmatic Scope: The analysis will comprehensively evaluate the Community-Based Distribution (CBD) model assessing:

1. The performance and reach of community-based distributors (CBDs)
2. Training and capacity-building initiatives
3. Contraceptive supply chain and distribution mechanisms
4. Community engagement strategies
5. Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework

Time-based: The evaluation will cover program implementation from inception to the present () with emphasis on trends and outcomes within this timeframe.

Methodology

The evaluation will utilize a mixed-methods approach that combines both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques including

• Desk Review: Review of relevant program documentation reports and data provided by UNFPA and implementing partners including monitoring and evaluation reports training materials and distribution records.
• Stakeholder mapping exercise: Mapping of the key stakeholders and their level of influence contribution and power on CBD of FP.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Interviews with key stakeholders including UNFPA staff implementing partners government officials community-based distributors and health service providers.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Conducting FGDs with women and men community members including both users and non-users of family planning services to assess community perceptions barriers and facilitators to using family planning services. A specific FGD will be carried out with the persons with disabilities.
• Surveys: A structured survey of a sample of beneficiaries in Yambio and Maridi to assess the reach quality and satisfaction with the CBD services.
• Field Observations: On-the-ground visits to distribution sites health posts and community-based distribution points to observe the processes and interact with beneficiaries

        Research Questions

1. To what extent do CBD models in Yambio and Maridi align with the distinct family planning (FP) needs of different demographic groups including women men adolescents persons with disabilities (PWD) and gender-diverse individuals considering variations in accessibility preferences and cultural acceptability
2. How effectively have CBD initiatives increased FP commodity access and utilization while fostering positive shifts in gender norms decision-making autonomy and sociocultural attitudes particularly among marginalized groups (adolescents PWD and gender-diverse individuals)
3. What structural operational and community level factors (e.g. health system linkages supply chains local leadership support) facilitate or impede the sustained integration of CBD models into Yambio and Maridis existing health and community systems
4. What systemic factors (policy funding security training) enable or hinder the long-term viability and scalability of CBD models in South Sudan particularly in ensuring equitable FP access for all genders ages and abilities
5. What targeted context-specific interventions (e.g. tailored training inclusive outreach adaptive M&E) could strengthen CBD model design implementation and sustainability to better serve diverse populations including PWD and gender-diverse individuals

Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected from this study:

1. Inception Report: A detailed inception report that outlines the evaluation methodology data collection plan and tools to be used.
2. Interim Report: A mid-term report summarizing preliminary findings and providing an update on data collection progress.
3. Final Evaluation Report: A comprehensive final report that will include a detailed analysis of the relevance effectiveness impact and sustainability of the CBD model in Yambio and Maridi
4. Executive Summary: A brief accessible summary of the final evaluation findings and recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders.
5. Policy Brief:

Stakeholders and Coordination

This assignment will involve coordination with various stakeholders including:

Ministry of Health South Sudan.

• MOH will be the primary authority providing overall guidance setting national health policies and standards and ensuring the evaluation aligns with national priorities.
• MOH will contribute technical expertise in family planning community health and monitoring and evaluation.
• MOH will lead in disseminating the evaluation findings and integrating findings into national health programs.

UNFPA South Sudan

• UNFPA will bring expertise in reproductive health family planning and community-based service delivery models.
• UNFPA can use the evaluation findings to advocate for increased investment and policy changes in family planning.

Amref Health Africa.

• Amref will play a significant role in collecting data from the field ensuring data quality and contributing to the analysis through the hired consultant.
• Amref have established relationships with the communities in Yambio and Maridi facilitating access and ensuring community participation in the evaluation.

State MOH/County Health Department

• They will be involved in the day-to-day supervision of the research within their jurisdiction.
• They can also provide essential data related to FP service utilization and unmet needs at the local level and offer insights into the practicalities of the distribution models.

Other implementing partners

• IPs can provide valuable qualitative insights into the acceptability and effectiveness of the distribution models from the community perspective by being the KII participants.

Qualifications :

Qualifications and Requirements

The qualifications and requirements listed below are meant to ensure the selection of a highly skilled and experienced consultant (either local or international) who can deliver comprehensive and impactful research.

Educational Background

• Advanced Degree: A minimum of a masters degree in public health reproductive health and rights gender and womens health studies social work research or a related field. Professional Experience
• Relevant Work Experience: At least 10 years of professional experience in public health research with a specific focus on reproductive health and rights understanding of gender and social inclusion and family planning.
• Research Expertise: Proven experience in designing conducting and managing health-related research projects particularly those focused on SRH and FP.
• Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa: Demonstrated experience working in the health sector within Sub-Saharan Africa preferably in conflict or post-conflict settings like South Sudan.

1. Technical Skills

• Research Design and Methodology: Strong skills in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies including data collection analysis and interpretation.
• Data Analysis: Proficiency in statistical software (e.g. SPSS STATA R) and qualitative data analysis tools (e.g. NVivo ).
• Report Writing: Excellent writing skills with a track record of producing high-quality research reports publications and policy briefs.

1. Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to engage and collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including government officials health professionals community leaders and international partners.
• Presentation Skills: Strong presentation skills to convey research findings to diverse audiences clearly and effectively.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local languages in South Sudan (Juba Arabic) is an asset.

1. Additional Competencies

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage research projects within budget and timelines.
• Ethical Standards: Strong commitment to ethical research practices including obtaining necessary approvals and ensuring confidentiality and informed consent.

1. References

• Professional References: At least three references from previous employers or clients who can attest to the consultants qualifications and experience in conducting HRH research

Submission Requirements

Interested consultants should submit the following:

1. A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
2. A cover letter outlining their approach to the FP research and how their skills and experience align with the study needs.
3. Examples of previous FP research reports or publications.
4.  Contact information for at least three professional references

Timeframe

The study will be conducted over a period of four weeks (30 days) with the following key milestones:

• Week 1: Initial preparatory activities including document review finalizing the methodology and preparing data collection tools.
• Week 2: Inception phase; desk review and Study Protocol Submission and approval.
• Weeks 3 & 4: Data collection through field visits KIIs FGDs and surveys.
• Week 5: Data analysis and report writing.
• Week 6: stakeholder consultations validations and dissemination of findings.

Additional Information :

Budget

A modest budget should be developed covering all costs related to literature review data collection analysis stakeholder engagement and report preparation.

Reporting

The study team will report to the country MEL manager and designated project manager at Amref Health Africa in South Sudan. Regular updates will be provided through bi-weekly meetings and progress reports

Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @ address.

Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer with a non-smoking environment policy.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time