TERMS OF REFERENCE Midwifery Clinical Procedure Manual Consultancy Strengthening Midwifery Services (SMS) Project, South Sudan TECHNICAL ACTIVITY: The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) wishes to recruit one (1) or two (2)Technical Experts to develop and lead a Research Skills workshop for nursing and midwifery faculty as part of the Strengthening Midwifery Services (SMS) project in South Sudan. Timeframe: March-September, 2018 Location: remotely, with one or two visits to Juba, South Sudan and possible attendance at research conference in June (TBD). This contract will involve approximately 10-25 days of field work (schedule to be determined). Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend our SMSII Webinar on March 6, 2018 at 12 noon EST. You must register in advance for the Webinar online at: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/e00e5daa9a5d952a7c24e00bf0acd2b8 Please address your questions to jrobinson@canadianmidwives.org. A. INTRODUCTION: SMS PROJECT SUMMARY South Sudan has among the world s highest maternal, newborn and child mortality rates, due in part to the critical shortage of skilled health care providers. Through the provision of capacity building initiatives for midwives and other health care providers, CAM and its partners hope to reduce the number of mothers and newborn babies who die in South Sudan. The 5-year Strengthening Midwifery Services in South Sudan (SMS) project (phase 2), supported by Global Affairs Canada, is led by the UNFPA in partnership with South Sudan s Ministry of Health and Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM). CAM will provide direct peer-to-peer mentoring support and technical expertise from practicing Canadian midwives, as well as other MNCH professionals. The project consists primarily of training midwives, nurses, and other health workers at National Health Training Institutes across the country. While there are currently four of such training institutes, the number is currently being expanded to six. The project also works to improve the ability of the Ministry of Health to manage and regulate the education and work of midwives. 1 P a g e
One important goal for the project is to strengthen midwifery and nursing education and clinical practice in selected EmONC centers. Through the development of key clinical procedure manuals, it is anticipated that health workers, in particular midwives and nurses, will improve their knowledge and skills in Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care, thereby strengthening South Sudan s human resources in the health sector and increasing access to basic health services. B. SOUTH SUDAN BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE FOR ASSIGNMENT South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in July 2011, following a 2005 peace agreement that ended one of Africa s longest-running civil wars. The country is made up of 10 states and over 60 different major ethnic groups, making it one of the most diverse countries on the continent. While it was hoped that independence would usher in a new period of peace to the region and to the world s newest country, internal tensions led to the 2013-2015 civil war, which displaced 2.2 million people. Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Context South Sudan is one of the most fragile and underdeveloped countries in the world, with extremely high rates of maternal and infant mortality. According to the State of the World s Midwifery Report, 2014, to achieve universal access to sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn care, midwifery services must respond to 0.7 million pregnancies per annum by 2030. The health system implications include how best to configure and equitably deploy the SRMNH workforce to cover at least 49.5 million antenatal visits, 9 million births and 35.9 million post-partum/postnatal visits between 2012 and 2030. The crisis of 2013 has exacerbated already difficult conditions, further threatening the health system and any potential strides in the improvement of MNCH outcomes. C. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Goal: Development and Execution of Research Skills workshop: In developing and conducting research capacity building workshops for nurses and midwives, the SMS project aims to strengthen the ability of midwives and nurses to identify and address key issues affecting patient outcomes. Ultimately it is envisaged that these activities will allow South Sudanese nurses and midwives to contribute to broader conversation in global health, and to inform practices in health care ensuring better outcomes for mothers and babies. Objectives: This consultancy s objectives are as follows: 1. In consultation with stakeholders develop a practical workshop (or series of remote workshops) in micro-research designed to build the research capacity of health (Nurse, Midwifery, and Medical) faculty in South Sudan; 2 P a g e
2. Develop an accompanying research skills quick reference guide for midwives and nurses in accordance with good practice and Global Standards, and conforming to the South Sudanese context; 3. Deliver workshops and provide guidance and feedback on micro-research projects towards the development of research posters to share results at a public engagement event; 4. Support midwives and nurses to promote increased confidence, competency, and capacity to conduct research. D. METHODOLOGY / APPROACH 1. Parties involved: During the assignment, work and collaboration will occur between the following actors: a. Consultants: CAM Technical Experts b. Stakeholders and participants: - Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery (JCONAM) - South Sudan s National Health Training Institutes - South Sudan s Ministry of Health - UNFPA - Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) - South Sudan Nurses and Midwives Association (SSNAMA) 2. Methods: Literature review (existing manuals and workshops, international guidelines and standards, etc.), meetings with relevant stakeholders, needs assessments conducted remotely and on site by CAM Technical Experts 3. Resources available: During the assignment (on location in Juba), the CAM Technical Education Experts will have access to the following resources: a. Access to UNFPA staff and other stakeholders; b. Office space at the UNFPA compound; c. Accommodation and transportation will be provided (all CAM Consultants will be accommodated in UN provided accommodations); d. CAM pre-departure training; e. UN security training (note: Canadians travelling to South Sudan in the context of this project will be going as Technical Experts to the UN and will therefore be covered by UN security) CAM will support the Technical Education Experts with respect to assignment planning and coordination, any activities undertaken in Canada, as well as logistical planning including travel, reimbursement of approved expenses and payment of consultant fees. While in Juba, UNFPA will provide support to the Technical Education Experts, who will travel under UN security and receive on-site security training upon arrival. E. DELIVERABLES FOR 2018 1. Research workshop 3 P a g e
2. Research Skills Quick Reference 3. Research posters from South Sudan team F. PROPOSED TIMELINE -March to early May 2018: Work with South Sudan colleagues to design workshop(s) and to host any remote workshops Travel to South Sudan to conduct in person workshops Attend consultant orientation in Montreal (late April) -May-June: Work with South Sudan colleagues to support and provide over sight to the micro-research projects Travel to present research outcomes (To be determined) - July-September Finalize quick reference research guide Provide continued support and oversight to micro-research projects Travel to present research outcomes (To be determined) Attend annual work planning session in Ottawa in October (To be determined) G. REMUNERATION The total value of this contract is approximately $10-15,000 depending on the final work scheduled (to be determined jointly). It is estimated that is position will require 10-25 days in the field (schedule to be negotiated). The schedule of work and remuneration will be determined with the selected candidate and in country partners. CAM will provide for travel related expenses, these include travel costs to Juba (visa and processing fees, vaccination costs and anti-malarial, airfare, per diem in transit, accommodation, and comprehensive insurance), as well as any costs incurred in Canada (i.e. travel to pre-departure training). H. SKILLS / ABILITIES The selected Technical Experts must have the following educational and professional experience: Registered midwife with at least five (5) years of practice experience and member of CAM, or a background in research capacity building skills in the domain of health care in the global south, with a graduate degree; Experience in research and teaching; Experience in workshop facilitation; 4 P a g e
Experience working in international and/or humanitarian settings; Excellent cross-cultural communication and facilitation skills in English; Excellent analytical and writing skills; Experience working in post conflict environment is an asset; Knowledge and experience working with UN agencies is an asset; and, Post-graduate Degree in Health or Social Sciences is an asset. Proven experience of good collaboration. I. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Please follow these instructions: Send your CV and a cover letter with your availabilities in one PDF document and ensure that your name and the title SMS Clinical Manual Expert are included in the file name. Send your PDF by email with the subject SMS Technical Expert Education to Jamie Robinson, CAM Global Program South Sudan at jrobinson@canadianmidwives.org Deadline for applications is March 11 th, 2018 We look forward to receiving your applications! 5 P a g e