National Consultant : Development Of Innovative Approaches To Reach Marginalized Populations Aff[...]

National Consultant : Development of Innovative Approaches to Reach Marginalized Populations affordable Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) ServicesNational Consultant : Development of Innovative Approaches to Reach Marginalized Populations affordable Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) ServicesLevel : ConsultantContract type : ConsultancyDuty station : ManilaHiring Office : UNFPA Philippine Country OfficePurpose of consultancy : Development of Innovative Approaches to Reach Marginalized Populations affordable Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) ServicesBackground and rationaleUniversal Health Care (Kalusugan Pangkalahatan) is a Philippine initiative aimed at providing affordable, quality health services to all Filipinos.

This includes access to health resources, facilities, and financing, with automatic eligibility for health benefits under the National Health Insurance Policy (NHIP), regardless of PhilHealth status, and no copayments for members in basic or ward accommodations.According to the 2022 NDHS, 47% of respondents were aware of the no copayment / no balance billing policy, and 36% knew about immediate eligibility for health benefit packages under the NHIP.

Awareness of these policies is slightly higher in rural areas for no copayment, but slightly higher in urban areas for immediate eligibility.

These results suggest that many households are still unaware of their full PhilHealth benefits.PhilHealth and other government agencies have implemented various measures to inform households of their benefits, including through the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program's Family Development Sessions.

Despite these efforts, surveys show a gap between self-reported health insurance coverage and the coverage rates in official databases, indicating that many people, especially the poor, are unaware of their entitlements.A 2017 World Bank study highlighted barangay officials and DSWD staff as key sources of information about government-subsidized health insurance.

However, while awareness of hospital care coverage is high, many are still unaware of other benefits, likefree primary care consultations.

Most people learn about their coverage through social networks, with limited impact from outreach programs by PhilHealth or DSWD.The Universal Health Care Act also ensures that women have access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services without worrying about costs, which is essential for improving women's health outcomes.

The UNFPA's 9th Country Programme stresses the importance of including SRH and gender-based violence (GBV) services in the NHIP, ensuring that all women, particularly the vulnerable, are aware of and can access these services.Socio-economic factors like education, residence, and family wealth influence access to SRH services, so it's important to develop innovative approaches to ensuremarginalized populations are covered and are aware of this.

Understanding health-seeking preferences is crucial for providing effective and comprehensive services.Ultimately, the goal is to empowermarginalized populations to access comprehensive health coverage, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and ensure better compensation for healthcare providers, all driven by greater awareness of social protection mechanisms and the services available under the Universal Health Care Act.Scope of work : (Description of services, activities, or outputs)Objectives and Scope of the assignmentThe consultant will collaborate with different stakeholders in Region 8 to identify barriers to accessing essential SRHR services bymarginalized communities and co-create innovative solutions that overcome these barriers, ensuring all individuals have the opportunity to exercise their sexual and reproductive rightsUnder the supervision of the UNFPA Maternal Health and Family Planning Analyst, the consultant will : Identify gaps in SRHR service coverage for marginalized populations : Specifically, identify groups within selected Provincial Local Government Units (PLGUs) who currently lack access to essential sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and are not covered by existing social protection programs or safety nets (e.g., the poor not covered by 4Ps, women with disabilities, women deprived of liberty, etc.).

These safety nets include the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Conditional Cash Transfer Program / 4Ps and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation and Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) ; and the DOH's Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients Program (MAIP).Develop innovative approaches to expand SRHR coverage : Design and propose innovative interventions tailored to the specific needs ofmarginalized populations identified in the gap analysis, with the goal of ensuring equitable access to essential SRHR services.Duties and ResponsibilitiesA consultant is being sought in co-developing innovative approaches to expand reach of essential SRHR services tomarginalized populations (e.g.

poor who are not covered by 4Ps, WWDs, WDLs, etc.)

and work with identifiedmarginalized populations in selected provincial local government units.The approach must be aligned to national, specifically the DOH Health Promotion Framework Strategy 2030 which places focus on equity, and addresses the needs of those of poor socioeconomic status, disabilities, LGBTQIA, indigenous people and those with low education.

This work is also aligned with the HPFS' guidance on (healthy) communities, where more of these marginalised populations are located.

Other policies include : The National Health Objectives 2023 – 2028 and the 8-point action agenda,The DOH Omnibus Health Guidelines (OHG) through DOH AO 2022-0018The Universal Health Care Implementing Rules and RegulationsThe Philippine Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (CSDGs 2030)The Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescent's Health 2016-2030Philhealth Benefit Packages related to sexual and reproductive health (e.g.

Maternal Health and Family Planning Benefit Packages)Other key available documents.Detailed tasks and duties are set out below : Identify and mapmarginalized populations and SRHR Key messages.Work with the local community in identification and mapping unreachedmarginalized populations in selected PLGU in Region 8 and understand the barriers in the uptake of SRH services.

The following are expected to be reviewed : Local demographic data and local knowledgeCoverage for social protection programmes and / or other safety netsData from local organizations such as faith organisations, local LBGT groups, peer-support groups, advocacy organisations, temporary shelters (e.g.

Haven for Women), disability centers (e.g.

SPED centers), housing associations etc.Work with local community in mappingmarginalized populations in selected PLGU in Region 8 to estimate the relative size of the marginalised group (from small to large) and its geographic distribution (from localised to evenly dispersed)Map out available SRHR key messages in selected PLGU in Region 8Develop concept of innovative approach / es to reach select target marginalized populations with information on free Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) ServicesAssist the UNFPA, and PLGU together with the local community in analyzing the results of the mapping and to understand the SRHR concerns of themarginalized groupsBased on the reviewed results, co-design innovative and specific approaches to each identifiedmarginalized group to cover essential SRHR services.Support the presentation of the findings and proposed concept to supplement the DOH Health Promotions Framework Strategy through meetings and workshops, and support local ownership, including subnational level consultation (in UNFPA priority region / s).Work schedule and arrangementsThe consultancy will be a mix of desk review and face to face consultations.

S / he will work closely with the DOH Center for Health and Development of Region VIII (CHD-8) and Provincial Health Office, and with the UNFPA Philippine Country Office and Asia Pacific Regional Office.

S / he is expected to meet with other DOH officers and other relevant DOH bureaus (e.g.

Health Promotion Bureau), health development partners, professional societies, and NGOs.Expected Outputs and TimeframeScheduleExpected OutputMapping ofmarginalized populations who are unable to access essential SRHR services and are currently not covered by social protection programmes and / or safety nets in selected PLGUs in Region 8DOH-CHD8UNFPAOther stakeholdersMapping of existing social protection programmes and messages among government agencies in selected PLGU in Region 8Concept for innovative approaches to covermarginalized populations (e.g.

poor who are not covered by 4Ps, WWDs, WDLs, etc.)

with essential SRHR services developed with the participation ofmarginalizedgroups and government partners and submitted for inclusion into the DOH Communication StrategyDOH-CHD8, DOH-DPCB, HPB, Other stakeholdersDuration and working schedule : The consultant shall complete the assignment within a nine-month timeframe, which is expected to commence in July 2025 and to finish in November 2025, with the number of working days not exceeding 45 working days.Place where services are to be delivered : Manila-based with travel to Region 8.

This consultancy is open for national experts.

Working time and hours : Manila time zone.

8am to 5pmDelivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g.

electronic, hard copy etc.

This consultancy is for 3 monthsThe suggested payment schedule is detailed below : The first payment of 40% will be made upon receipt and acceptance of the "Mapping ofmarginalized populations who are unable to access essential SRHR services and are currently not covered by social protection programmes and / or safety nets in selected PLGUs in Region 8" (electronically);The second payment of 30% will be made upon the receipt of the "Mapping of existing social protection programmes and messages among government agencies in selected PLGU in Region 8",The remaining 30% will be made upon acceptance by the Director of the Health Promotions Bureau and UNFPA of the developed "Concept for innovative approaches to covermarginalized populations (e.g.

poor who are not covered by 4Ps, WWDs, WDLs, etc.)

with essential SRHR services developed with the participation ofmarginalized groups and government partners and submitted for inclusion into the DOH Communication Strategy", (electronically).Below is the table for ease of reference : First Tranche of Payment (40%)Mapping ofmarginalized populations who are unable to access essential SRHR services and are currently not covered by social protection programmes and / or safety nets in selected PLGUs in Region 8Due by week 6Second Tranche of Payment (30%)Mapping of existing social protection programmes and messages among government agencies in selected PLGU in Region 8Due by week 10Last Tranche of Payment (30%)Concept for innovative approaches to covermarginalized populations (e.g.

poor who are not covered by 4Ps, WWDs, WDLs, etc.)

with essential SRHR services developed with the participation ofmarginalized groups and government partners and submitted for inclusion into the DOH Communication StrategyDue by week 12Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline : The Maternal Health / Family Planning Programme Analyst of UNFPA and the Regional Director of the CHD8 will monitor the progress of the consultancy.Supervisory arrangements : The consultant will report to the UNFPA Assistant Representative.

The consultant is expected to work closely with the Director of Health Promotions Bureau or his / her representative, Regional Director of DOH CHD-8 and other programme colleagues in Region 8 and other for matters related to their respective programmes and portfolios.The Cluster Head and CHD 8 programme managers and officers will have frequent interactions with the consultant at various stages in order to : Brief the consultant and provide clarity on the assignment, the process and the deliverables;Provide key documents relevant to the deliverables;Introduce and facilitate the consultant to work with key stakeholders and counterparts if necessary; andProvide feedback and get agreement on the next steps of the assignment.Upon completion of contract assignment, the supervisor will certify relevant documents, evaluate the consultant's work and process / follow-up on the payments.Expected travel : The consultant is expected to travel within Metro Manila for the face to face consultation with stakeholders.Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements : Qualifications and ExperienceAdvanced degree in public health, sexual reproductive health, and / or strategic planning; Degree in public policy, economics, social work, and development studies is an advantageAt least two (2) years of experience in working with communications, health promotion, community engagement, policy and strategy development, sexual reproductive health, maternal and newborn health or equivalent experienceNational experience in development of sexual reproductive health plans, reports, or strategies;Experience working in or familiarity with the Philippine health system and health partners in the Philippines is an advantage; andVery good oral and written English language skillsUNFPA 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.

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.To view the complete job description and apply to this position, click "Apply Now" below.National Consultant : Development of Innovative Approaches to Reach Marginalized Populations affordable Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Services

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