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Background

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health through the Eswatini National Cancer Control Program (NCCU) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is assessing the facilities that are implementing the cervical cancer screening services. The facility assessment will determine the number of health facilities doing the cervical cancer screening services and nurses trained on this matter.

The goal of this assignment is to understand the status of the cervical cancer screening in the country in order to improve access to early cervical cancer screening services and work towards meeting the global strategy targets set as follows by 2030:

  • 90% of girls must be fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the time they turn 15
  • 70% of women must be screened with a high-precision test 1 at 35 years of age, and then again at the age of 45 years
  • 90% of women identified with cervical disease must receive treatment and care.

Due to the growing incidence of cancers, especially cervical cancer, there is an urgent need to conduct an assessment of the facilities providing the cervical cancer screening services in Eswatini to inform policy and programming. It is against this background that the Ministry of Health with financial and technical support from UNFPA and WHO seeks to recruit a consultant to conduct this assessment.

Scope of assignment:  The assessment will be designed based from the objectives of the project, particularly the two components, development of the assessment documents and report writing.

The assessment questions should be designed in such a manner that they are able to capture critical cervical cancer services, capacity assessment of health care providers. The questionnaire should be structured and can be administered in a minimum of 30 minutes.

In particular, the assessment will have the following scope of work:

  • Develop the assessment concept note: background/ literature review, problem statement, study questions, rationale, aims and objectives, methodology: study design, study setting, ethical consideration, sampling frame and sample size.
  • Use necessary statistical software and/or computer programs that will be used in the completion of the deliverables. Develop and provide assessment reports all data and data bases.

Purpose and Objectives:  Coordination of the planning and implementation of the Ministry of Health-NCCU facility assessment on cervical cancer screening activity in collaboration with the team. This assignment also include development of the concept note, data collection tools, data analysis and write a report based on the set objectives of the assessment and, provide support to the NCCU team.

Methodology and Technical Approach:

  • Oversee the implementation of the assessment activity at national level including: the development of the study work to ensure that the study is within the allocated budget and prepare interim reports.
  • Develop a concept note and data collection tools (questionnaires). Critically ensure that the data collection tools capture all variables (data) required to answer the set objectives of the assessment and recommend changes where necessary;
  • Ensure an electronic data base that will be suitable to capture the collected data from the field and specify the software that will be used for data capturing;
  • Ensure that collected data is of quality by conducting quality data checks to ensure data consistency across sample sites as well as validate and interpret the survey results;
  • Ensure high level of engagement of national counterparts. The Consultant shall directly report to the PI, Project manager and Co-PI of the study, on the plan of action and timing of the deliverables;
  • Actively participate in regular meetings of the National Steering Committee and stakeholders meeting, consulting on research plan / methodology / timeframe, discussing results and findings and agreed recommended follow-up actions.
  • The Consultant shall be physically available for consultations at the National Cancer Control Unit office at least every after two days, or as need arises, during the duration of the assessment;
  • The Consultant shall be responsible for the full dataset compilation and the final edit and lay-out of the printable version of the final report; and,
  • The consultant shall be responsible for the development and completion of the deliverables, including the;
    1. inception report;
    2.  survey protocol & data collection tools;
    3.  interim report (or draft final report);
    4. final report; and (d) fully-compiled assessment dataset.
    5. PowerPoint presentation of the report.
  • Share draft report with relevant stakeholders as agreed with your supervisor and present preliminary findings to gather feedback, consolidate the inputs for incorporation in the final report.Prepare a final report and submit it for approval

Management and Organization:   The day to day work of the consultant will be supervised by MOH (NCCU) and UNFPA in close collaboration with the NCCU Working Team that will be established with leadership of the MoH to support the assessment. This team will be co-opted by the MOH.

Deliverables and Timeframe:

The consultant will be engaged on a full-time basis starting from September 2020, for 15 working days.

Deliverables are:

  1. Inception report
  2. Comprehensive proposal with data collection tools and schedules
  3. Draft National Cervical Cancer Screening Report
  4. Final National Cervical Cancer Screening Report with a summary presentation of findings

Minimum Qualifications:

The MOH is looking for a qualified local consultant who has knowledge on public health assessment.

  • A Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Project Management, with traceable reference or any other relevant university degree from a recognized institution.

Knowledge, skills and experience:

  • Evidence of not less than 1 data analysis and report writing assignments conducted at professional level
  • Familiar with healthcare workers and systems in the Eswatini Ministry of health
  • Familiar with community systems in the country
  • Evidence of good report writing skills and verbal communication skills in English.

SUBMISSION OF APPPLICATIONS:

Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications should submit their letter of expression of interest, proposal and budget (with clear daily rate) including CVs through the following email; mlotsa@unfpa.org or hand deliver it to UNFPA, UN House, 4th floor, Phone: +268 2409 6600. Applications should have a cover letter, curriculum vitae, certified copies of certificates, names and contacts of three referees, a filled copy of the attached P11 form.

 

Deadline for applications: Wednesday, 26st August 2020.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.