The Position:
Local Consultancy: Support from National Department of Health (NDoH) for preparatory work on South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS)
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 strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
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.
Introduction and Context:
South Africa conducted the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) in 1998, 2003 and 2016. Demographic and Health Surveys are a standard series of national-level surveys conducted every five years focusing on population and primary healthcare indicators using a core set of questionnaires and a standard implementation module developed by the DHS programme. This ensures the collection of data on population health and access to healthcare that are internationally comparable. The South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) conducted in 1998, 2003 and 2016 measured the following key indicators at national and provincial level:
Maternal, new-born and child health. Reproductive health, fertility and contraception services. Management of non-communicable disease and risk factors. HIV prevalence, knowledge and behaviour of adults. Self-reported respiratory disease symptoms as well as peak flow. Women’s status.To measure progress towards health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is essential to obtain updated health and demographic indicators
for the country. The DHS currently collects data to calculate approximately 30 of the key SDG indicators. For decades, DHS (https://dhsprogram.com/) has been a source for data on child mortality, nutrition, antenatal care coverage, maternal mortality, family planning, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, and access to clean water and sanitation facilities. In the most recent round of DHS (2018-2023) new topics have been added to the questionnaire to respond to the needs for data on household use of clean fuels and technology, as well as other indicators on mental health, sanitation and hygiene.
Country Program Needs:
The National Department of Health (NDoH) has identified the need to implement the fourth SADHS not only to monitor progress to SDGs and National Development Plan (NDP), but also to provide essential data that informs policy and, manage strategic programmes. The SADHS, will generate population health status indicators required by key international partners to monitor developmental programmes.
On 25 and 26 April 2024, NDoH held a high-level meeting that brought together participants from multisectoral stakeholders who made inputs to the development of the content to be covered for the next SADHS. In preparation for the next phase, the key outputs will be the development of a workplan that will include the protocol, timelines for the implementation of the survey and budget. Essential reflections and recommendations from the technical meeting have been documented to facilitate ongoing reflection hroughout the SADHS design phase
Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of this technical assistance (local consultancy) is to strengthen the capacity of the NDoH health research directorate in the planning phase of the 4 th SADHS. The consultant is expected to assist in interactions with key stakeholders and the development and finalization of the protocol and tools for the 4 th SADHS. A full survey protocol to be developed will specify all the processes and responsibilities of all organizations involved in the survey. The protocol will describe the following:
The fieldwork or data collection will form the biggest component of the survey and will consist of field teams to cover all the clusters of the survey. The teams will consist of field workers, supervisors, nurses and drivers for the duration of the fieldwork which can last for six months. The NDoH plans to start the process in the next few months to appoint an implementing agency for the fieldwork which will be done through the normal procurement processes. The specifications for the tender process will be critical and will outline the assumptions and pathways through which the prospective organization will be selected. The consultant to be appointed is expected to assist with the development of specifications for the implementing agency.
Scope of Work
The scope of work for the assignment will include:
To lead the consultation process of technical teams working on standard DHS-8 modules for adaptation to country context and needs. To plan for the consultation workshop on SADHS questionnaire adaptation workshop Facilitate the production of the SADHS survey protocol To produce the draft specifications document of the SADHS fieldwork tender documents. To share the preliminary findings from the workshop on SADHS adaptation workshop.Other outputs are to provide the NDoH with:
Inform development of communication tools to build participants' knowledge on survey planning process; To map out the potential technical data sources Facilitate the development of draft fieldwork specifications in collaboration with the survey implementing agency.Deliverables:
Review of the DHS-8 questionnaires Questionnaire adaptation workshop planned and workshop report drafted; Draft of the tender specifications document; Formulation of the protocol outline and content; and Prepare documentation for ethics approvalDuration of assignment
The assignment is for a duration 3 months: 07 May 2025 to 06 August 2025
Place where services are to be delivered:
Consultancy will be home-based, will be expected to travel to workshop and implementation sites as needed.
Required expertise and qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
Advanced degree (Masters) in Social Science, Public Health or other related field. 5 years of professional experience is required Proven track record in population surveys, knowledge of the country’s disease burden and priorities. Demonstrable experience in questionnaire design and implementation, especially in Demographic and Health Surveys or country level surveys. Awareness of and knowledge of the specific cultural sensitivity, traditional arrangements, local government structures and functions, and other related dynamics in the country; Excellent report writing, presentation and facilitation skills; Awareness of the official major local languages in South Africa; Understanding and experience working with UN agencies, national and provincial partners in similar programmes will be an added advantage.Inputs: Consultant to have his/her own laptop; ability to travel at short notice
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.
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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.