National Consultant: RMNCAH Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

The Position:

The candidate will be responsible for overseeing RMNCAH Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for the Family Health Unit and will work closely with specific Programme Officers based at headquarters and divisions, as well as the Chairpersons of the Clinical Services Network for Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecological Departments. She/he will ensure that all monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) relating to the Family Health Unit efforts support all programmatic areas for MEAL. Furthermore, she/he will support the unit to strengthen the unit's monitoring and evaluation and close the loop for quality service delivery from a sustainability context of the various programmes. She/he will work with the Family Health Unit of the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services to jointly report to UNFPA PSRO Fiji Country Office all RMNCAH M&E activities of the MHMS programme; and will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in achieving key deliverables in line with the RMNCAH Policy Implementation Strategy and the Health Sector Strategy.

The consultant will report to the Head of Family Planning, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji, and the Chief of Health/Technical Advisor SRHR UNFPA PSRO and/or any other supervisor as designated in their absence to coordinate planning, implementation, and reporting.

The consultant would be required to use their own laptop. Consultant will be seconded to MHMS and will be provided with a workstation, necessary information, materials, and logistics as well as office space. MHMS will also provide access to other equipment for the fulfilment of his/ her tasks (such as printer & copier).

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2023 -2027), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results. UNFPA is seeking a national consultant to be based at the Family Health Unit in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Suva, Fiji. The Family Health Unit works in the area of Maternal and Child Health, Reproductive, Adolescent health under the Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, Adolescent, and sexual health for Fiji. Its mandate encompasses the entire programme cycle: planning, deployment, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation of its programs for all Fijians. 

The candidate will be responsible for overseeing RMNCAH Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for the Family Health Unit and will work closely with specific Programme Officers based at headquarters and divisions, as well as the Chairpersons of the Clinical Services Network for Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecological Departments. She/he will ensure that all monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) relating to the Family Health Unit efforts support all programmatic areas for MEAL. Furthermore, she/he will support the unit to strengthen the unit's monitoring and evaluation and close the loop for quality service delivery from a sustainability context of the various programmes. She/he will work with the Family Health Unit of the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services to jointly report to UNFPA PSRO Fiji Country Office all RMNCAH M&E activities of the MHMS programme; and will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in achieving key deliverables in line with the RMNCAH Policy Implementation Strategy and the Health Sector Strategy.

You would be responsible for:

Programme development and Implementation 

• Develop a work plan in collaboration with MHMS, Family Health Unit and UNFPA. Actively contribute to the development, oversight, and implementation of the MEAL framework for various RMNCAH indicators and targets.
• Liaising with partners, looking for avenues to collaborate with to develop appropriate platforms required. 
• Work closely with the Family Health Unit program officers, through the Ministry’s Strategic Plan, Annual Operation Plan and the Reproductive Maternal, new-born, child, adolescent and sexual health policy and strategic plan (RMNCAH) and its monitoring and evaluation framework. 
•  Design and oversee the way data or programmatic indicators are collected in the field and program through to HIU to measure program implementation, outputs, outcomes and impact.
• Work with the divisional and subdivisional teams to ensure that data sources are available for reporting, mapping, and M&E.

Monitoring and Evaluation 

•  Work with the Family Health Unit, Divisions and Subdivisions to compile the required data elements and core indicators that are relevant to the RMNCAH programmatic areas. 
• Ensure that relevant data elements reflect equitable access in health i.e. gender equality, disability and social inclusion. 
• Constantly update the database to ensure it is accurate and complete. 
• Develop validation rules for each data element; conducting consistency checks and data cleaning. 
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for maintaining the database and how it links to functional performance indicator reference sheets.
•  Design and implement data, indicator management for MHMS RMNCAH in an efficient and effective manner. 
• Design a monitoring, evaluation and learning process and maintain this system for the Ministry under the FHU.

Fund management and operations 

•  Assist the collation of RMNCAH M&E project expenditures and disbursements of RMNCAH M&E activities to ensure delivery is in line with approved budgets; targeted delivery levels are realized; identify operational and financial problems and bottlenecks and propose solutions are included in each monthly implementation delivery report to UNFPA PSRO Fiji Country Office. 

Communication 

• Support the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the social behaviour change interventions which includes tracking changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to RMNCAH + over time

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• A first-level degree or higher in Public Health, Social Sciences, or Health Information Management, or a related degree with a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in health information management, including handling data sets, ability to organise, analyse, interpret, and evaluate program data quality. 
• Demonstrated prior experience in health information systems or data management. Experience working within the Fiji government structures, policy, and procedures is an added advantage. 
• High-level skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office and database management systems (Excel, Access). 
• Ability to effectively use computer programs to support the data management system. 
• Knowledge of public health approaches and methods, including surveillance, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation of activities. 
• Knowledge and experience in working with national and international stakeholders.  Good understanding of the basic elements and reporting systems of the Family Health Unit.  
• Experience with Geospatial data and other databases used in data management. Experience in SRH/RMNCAH will be an added advantage. 
•  An additional postgraduate diploma or master’s degree in public health, international relations, or communications is desirable but not necessary. 
•  Having knowledge of the Fiji Health Information System is highly preferred.

Languages: 

• Written and spoken fluency in English is required.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Managing Data 
•  Strategically positioning RMNCAH 
•  Generating, managing, and promoting the use of knowledge and information Facilitating quality programmatic results 
• Managing documents, correspondents, and reports

Compensation and Benefits:

Payment will be on a monthly schedule upon satisfactory delivery of associated deliverables and with acceptable quality by the UNFPA Representative, upon submission of Certificate of Payment and Monthly Accomplishment Report

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.