Country: Guinea-Bissau
Closing date: 28 Nov 2015
Posting for the United Nations Integrated Peace-Building Office in Guinea-Bissau
1.Background and Objectives
The country’s health indicators are among the worst in sub-Saharan Africa, characterized by high mortality and morbidity rates. With regard to mother-child mortality, the situation is even worse, as according to MICS 5[1] published in April 2015, Guinea-Bissau is the second worst in the world, with 900 deaths per 100,000 births. This situation affects in particular the most vulnerable populations.
Some of the challenges contributing to this situation include lack of access of the most vulnerable population to basic medical care, treatment and follow-up, insufficient budget and a critical shortage of staff, equipment and specialized services, inadequate medical facilities, and lack of continued training opportunities.
In this context, UNIOGBIS intends to issue a report on the right to health, with the objective to make recommendations to national authorities and international partners, and encourage investment in the national health sector. The report would be issued during the first trimester of 2016. An international Consultant will be recruited to carry out this task.
2.Duties and Responsibilities
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Chief, Human Rights Section of UNIOGBIS, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other national and international health partners in Guinea-Bissau, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN-Women, as well as with the Rule of Law and the Right to Development Sections at OHCHR Geneva. He or she will undertake the following tasks:
a) Prepare a report on the right to health, based on OHCHR guidelines and a template that will be provided. The report should contain a comprehensive and succinct analysis of the health sector and focus mainly on mother-child care.
b) Collect, consolidate and analyze updated information in the health sector, including national legislation, health policies and development plans, international and regional standards related to the right to health. Such information should be consolidated in database format to enable continuous updating.
c) Conduct interviews with health institutions throughout the country, organizations working in the health sector, and beneficiaries regarding access to health.
d) Update UNIOGBIS on a weekly basis on methodology and progress made in data collection and preparation of the report.
e) Submit an analytical and high quality report on 29 January 2016 for discussion and approval. The final report is to be translated into Portuguese.
f) Perform other tasks related to the preparations for the publication and the right to health, and present the report to the authorities.
3.Contract period and payment conditions
The Consultant is expected to be ready to start work immediately upon recruitment, for a maximum period of sixty (60) working days, and to keep the agreed deadlines. The payment will be made in two installments, 40% at the beginning of the consultancy, and 60% after UNIOGBIS and OHCHR approval of the report. The Consultant will work at UNIOGBIS Headquarters in Bissau, where space and equipment will be made available to perform the tasks.
4.Profile of the Consultant
a) Master's degree in law and knowledge of public health.
b) At least five years’ experience in dealing with human rights, humanitarian or development affairs;
c) Knowledge of national legislation and international standards related to the right to health;
d) Proven knowledge of national health policies, health development plans, and capacity development;
e) Excellent analytical and drafting skills certified through the quality of publications that should be submitted prior to interview;
f) Excellent English skills and fluency in Portuguese;
g) Ability to work constructively in a team and with multiple stakeholders, ideally with UN missions, agencies and other international organizations.
How to apply:
Email to - ayyash@un.org - with copy to sousag@un.org - attaching the curriculum vitae, copies of the certified diplomas and birth certificate