1. POSITION(S) VACANT:  District Facilitator- District Health Society, UNFPA (One vacancy), Khagaria, Bihar

2. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, is a UN organization working for reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services including voluntary family planning, maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education.

Project Background:

UNFPA is providing technical support to the State Health Society Bihar to plan and implement integrated sexual and reproductive health programs in the state. State Health Society Bihar is the part of State Health department and is the nodal agency for implementing the National Health Mission Program. State Health Society Bihar (SHSB) in collaboration with district health societies (DHS) and development partners plans and execute the RMNCH+A and national disease control programs in the state. SHSB key role is to provide strategic guidance and direction to the districts, develop technical guidelines, policies, and programs and monitor the implementation. SHSB also ensures quality assurance in collaboration with UN agencies and other development partners.

As part of our technical support to the RMNCH+A program, the post of the District Facilitator supported by UNFPA through SAMS will be based at the district level at Khagari. The District Facilitator will provide technical support to the District Health society of the respective district to strengthen the FP, MH, and Adolescent Health programs with the right-based approach.

Achieving Zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero gender-based violence are three transformative goals of UNFPA’s Strategic Plan. Realizing the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity, total fertility rate, and gender-based violence are important in ensuring that the Sustainable Development Goals are achieved by 2030.  A significant decline in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Bihar has been registered between 2014-16 and 2017-19 from 165 to 130 per one lakh live birth. In the last two decades, many interventions ranging from facility-based to community-centric interventions to reduce maternal mortality and total fertility rate have been rolled out under the NHM program by the State Government. The large percentage of institutional deliveries i.e. 76% according to the NFHS-5 indicates that the quality of maternal care at the facilities would contribute substantially to the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidities. Increased usage of modern contraceptive prevalence rates from 23 percent in NFHS 4 to 44 percent in NFHS 5 is the result of concerted efforts from the state government.

To further accelerate the decline in MMR and TFR, there is a need to continue to focus on the quality of care of family planning, adolescent health, and maternal health (LaQshya, SUMAN, MPV, RKSK, SHWP etc) and strengthen the maternal death review process. In this context, it is proposed that technical consultant would be provided to the district health societies, Khagaria to work closely with the Civil Surgeon, and other Senior officials at the district level to facilitate the roll-out of the quality family planning, adolescent health and maternal health interventions in the districts.

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Civil Surgeon, UNFPA State Office, the District Facilitator, shall be responsible for the following:

Key Deliverables:

(A) Planning:
(1) Review NHM PIP of the districts and identify the gaps and challenges in the implementation of the PIP, and provide inputs for district PIP;
(2) Analyze the activities under the thematic interventions of NHM and assess the progress of the interventions, and plan to strengthen delivery of RMNCH+ Interventions, including integrated SRH services;
(3) Facilitate the development of the District and Block level annual plans in the district for implementation of MPV, LaQshya, PMSMA, SUMAN, SHWP, RKSK & FPLMIS and development of the annual plans for FP, MH, and AH programs;
(4) Conduct a detailed analysis of the existing district, block and health facility level human resource requirement and assist the district to develop a plan and engage with the District administration and State Department to take corrective actions;
(5) Facilitate the convergent planning between the health and women and child development department officials at the District level;
(6) Assist in developing micro-plans and in monitoring VHNDs, Routine Immunization sessions and other out-reach public health initiatives especially in hard to reach areas;

(B) Implementation:
(1) To provide facilitative support to operationalize the Delivery points to make them effectively delivery RMNCH+A services;
(2) To undertake an assessment of all the trainings on RMNCH A issues (including FP, MH, safe abortion, adolescent health) and facilitate the critical training;
(3) Assist the districts in getting the Laqshya certification and adherence to SUMAN guidelines;
(4) Assistance in effective implementation of FPLMIS at different levels & monitoring the progress of roll-out of FPLMIS & providing feedback to District Officials;
(5) To strengthen the operationalization of the health and wellness centers in the aspirational district to provide RMNCH+A services and other services as laid out in the guidelines;
(6) To strengthen the community level interventions through the Sub centers and ASHAs for quality service delivery at the community level;
(7) Facilitate in implementing flagship programs such as MPV, PMSMA, JSY, JSSK, roll out of injectable services, roll out of FP LMIS, Mission Indradhanush, and such others;

(C) Guidance Material / Capacity Building:
(1) Provide inputs in the planning of the critical training in the health sector with the objective of operationalizing the health institutions;
(2) Co-ordinate with the district officials in ensuring that adequate guidance materials, protocols are available in the health institutions for delivering the health and RH services as per evidence based practices;

(D) Quality Monitoring:

(1) Undertake regular supportive supervision visits and share the feedback with SHSB, district officials & concerned facilities, and facilitate the process of filling the gaps identified;

(2) Facilitate the quality assurance intervention in the district and strengthen the DQAC (frequency of visits, meetings, and monitoring of consent issues);

(3) Analyze the HMIS data and develop trends and analysis for the various thematic areas under the RMNCH+A framework;

(4) Facilitate quality assurance mechanisms under various programs such as Family Planning, LaQShya, NQAC, etc;

(5) Analyze the HMIS and FP LMIS data, including quality of data, to measure the progress made in key indicators, rank blocks on the basis of health services rendered and overall performance of community processes. Present findings at the monthly meetings of the Medical Officers.  Set up a system of ranking blocks/health facilities and in designing differential support to poor performing blocks

(E) Others:

(1) Carry out any other program related activities as and when required and as advised by UNFPA/ NHM

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualification:
(1) Applicant must have Master’s in Public Health/ Health Management/ Rural Development/ Social Work/ MBA.

Experience:
(1) Atleast five to seven years of predominant experience in technical aspects of Programme management;

(2) Minimum two to four years of experience in health management especially in maternal health and family planning program is mandatory;
(3) Working experience and or familiarity with the Government health system.

Skills and Competencies:

(1) Good technical and clinical Skills;

(2) Good training, communication and writing skills;

(3) Good skills in operating computers and MS Office package;

(4) Creative skills and ability in planning, implementation, and monitoring programs;

(5) Ability to understand and address development related issues;

(6) Ability to work with a diverse group and settings;

(7) Undertake travel to districts or other states.

5. NATURE OF ENGAGEMENT:

The District Facilitator- District Health Society shall be hired on a consultancy contract through Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd. (SAMS), a respected HR Agency.

6. REMEUNERATION & PER DIEMS:

The selected candidate will be paid a consolidated amount of Rs 55,000 – Rs 65,000 per month.

7. LOCATION and NUMBER OF VACANCIES: One vacancy in each District Katihar, Khagaria, Sheikhpura and Patna

8. DURATION: The successful candidate shall be issued successive consultancy contracts for a period of one year by UNFPA’s third-party payrolling partner(s). The contract is extendable based on performance and programme needs.

The initial contract from the date of joining till June 30, 2023, shall be issued by SAMS. The subsequent contract for the balance period shall be issued by SAMS and/or UNFPA’s successor third-party payrolling partner.

9. REFERENCE: DF-DHS-UNFPA

10. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar 
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612

11. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to apply using the link https://recruitment.samshrm.com/Jobs/UNFPA, by or before May 7, 2023.