Hiring Office:
UNFPA Philippine Country Office
Purpose of consultancy:
Facility Needs Assessment and Provision of Technical Assistance on Licensing and Accreditation of RHUs
Scope of work:
Background and rationale
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has been severely impacted by decades of armed conflict, resulting in poor health outcomes. These challenges are exacerbated by recurrent displacements due to natural hazards and conflict, which further worsen the already poor maternal health and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) conditions of women in these communities. Maternal mortality remains a concern among women of reproductive age in resource-poor settings, particularly in the BARMM. Key reasons for poor maternal health outcomes include limited access to skilled health providers and facilities, inadequate medicines, medical equipment, and supplies, and challenges in transportation.
The 2022 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) highlights these issues, indicating that a significant percentage of women in rural areas do not deliver in health facilities due to distance, lack of transport, and cost. Despite some increases in facility-based deliveries, the BARMM still lags significantly behind the national average. Antenatal and postnatal care coverage have also remarkably decreased:
- Antenatal care (ANC): In 2017, only 67.6% of women in BARMM received ANC from a skilled provider, compared to 93.3% nationally. By 2022, only 49.1% of women in BARMM had ANC visits, compared to 86.1% nationwide.
- Facility-based deliveries: Only 30.6% of births in BARMM occurred in health facilities in 2017, increasing to 39.4% in 2022, but still far below the national rate of 88.4%.
- Unmet need for family planning: 17.8% of women in BARMM had an unmet need for family planning in 2017, increasing to 19.8% in 2022—still higher than the national figures of 16.7% and 12.4%, respectively.
To address the critical gaps in maternal health services and improve access to quality birthing facilities, the Japan-funded The Project for the Protection and Empowerment of Women for Responding to Gender-based Violence in BARMM (BABAE Project) has identified the "Provision of life-saving maternal health equipment, and supplies, including repair/rehabilitation of birthing facilities" as a key activity under Outcome 2: "Women in the Bangsamoro access comprehensive and quality sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services across the humanitarian-development continuum."
Objectives and Scope of the Assignment
To contribute to Output 2 of the 9th Country Programme and deliver Output 2 of the BABAE project, the following activities shall be undertaken by the consultant:
- Facility Needs Assessment for Rural Health Units (RHUs) in Target Municipalities (8 in SGA and 2 in Maguindanao del Sur)
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of selected RHUs and birthing facilities in the target municipalities to evaluate their capacity, gaps, and resource needs for Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) service delivery.
- Assess infrastructure conditions, medical equipment availability, essential supplies, staffing adequacy, and compliance with health and safety standards.
- Engage key stakeholders, including local health authorities, facility managers, and community representatives, to identify challenges and priority areas for improvement.
- Develop a detailed assessment report with recommendations for:
- Infrastructure repairs and refurbishments.
- Procurement of essential medical equipment and supplies.
- Training needs of healthcare providers to enhance EmONC service delivery.
- Strengthening of referral systems for maternal and newborn emergencies.
- Present findings and recommendations to the BARMM Ministry of Health (MOH), UNFPA, relevant government agencies, and local health authorities for validation and prioritization.
2. Work with the Regional, Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units for the licensing and PhilHealth accreditation of birthing facilities.
Geographic Coverage:
- Maguindanao del Sur, BARMM: Datu Montawal and Pagalungan
- Special Geographic Areas of BARMM: Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Tugunan, Malidegao, and Ligawasan.
Duration and working schedule:
The consultant shall complete the assignment within a period of three (3) months.
Place where services are to be delivered:
Cotabato-based, with mission to project sites in Special Geographic Areas and Maguindanao del Sur.
Working time and hours: Manila time zone. 8am to 5pm
Supervisory arrangements:
The consultant is under the general supervision of the Head of Programme/Assistant Representative with daily supervision by the Head of Mindanao Sub-Office.
The consultant is expected to work closely with the Ministry of Health, including its program and regulatory units, PhilHealth, and other related agencies.
Expected travel:
The consultant is expected to travel to the project sites.
Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in public health, nursing, medical technology, or other related health sciences with at least seven (7) years of experience in working with policy and strategy development, sexual reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, and health regulations (e.g. PhilHealth accreditation, licensing of birthing facilities, etc.) OR
- Advanced degree in public health, nursing, medical technology, or other related health sciences with at least five (5) years of experience working with policy and strategy development, sexual reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, and health regulations (e.g. PhilHealth accreditation, licensing of birthing facilities, etc.)
- National or regional experience in the development of sexual reproductive health plans, reports, or strategies;
- Experience working in or familiarity with the Philippine and BARMM health system and health partners in the Philippines and BARMM is an advantage; and
- Very good oral and written English language skills.
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. 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.