Mid National - RMNCH Coordinator & Trainer

KP TA - Capacity Strengthening of RMNCH Systems for Perinatal and Neonatal Death Reviews in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Programme Overview

Evidence for Health (E4H) is a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)-funded programme aimed at strengthening Pakistan's healthcare system, thereby decreasing the burden of illness and saving lives. E4H provides technical assistance (TA) to the Federal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Punjab governments, and is being implemented by Palladium along with Oxford Policy Management (OPM).

Through its flexible, embedded, and demand-driven model, E4H supports the government to achieve a resilient health system that is prepared for health emergencies, responsive to the latest evidence, and delivers equitable, quality, and efficient healthcare services. Specifically, E4H delivers TA across three outputs:

Output 1: Strengthened integrated health security, with a focus on preparing and responding to health emergencies, including pandemics.

Output 2: Strengthened evidence-based decision-making to drive health sector performance and accountability.

Output 3: Improved implementation of Universal Health Coverage, with a focus on ending preventable deaths.

Position Summary

The goal of this technical assistance is to strengthen the capacity of SBAs in selected districts of KP to implement perinatal and neonatal mortality surveillance and the “Making Every Baby Count” initiative, thereby improving the identification, reporting, and response to preventable neonatal deaths.

We will achieve this by pursuing four objectives:

Objective 1: Build SBA capacity to conduct perinatal and neonatal mortality surveillance and deliver high-quality immediate newborn care in line with national and WHO “Making Every Baby Count” standards.

Objective 2: Establish and operationalise district-level review and response mechanisms for perinatal and neonatal deaths, integrated into existing health governance and data systems.

Objective 3:  Institutionalise a sustainable capacity-building and mentorship framework within the DOH KP to strengthen ongoing accountability, data use, and neonatal survival outcomes.

Strategic Approach

Contributions to health systems strengthening

This technical assistance will strengthen KP’s health system by addressing a critical bottleneck—the limited capacity of SBAs and weak mortality surveillance at the PHC level. By embedding perinatal and neonatal mortality surveillance and the “Making Every Baby Count” framework within PHC facilities, the technical assistance enhances data quality, accountability, and quality of care for mothers and newborns. The work directly supports the development and future implementation of District Action Plans (DAPs) focusing on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH), for which necessary funds will be requested through provincial planning and budgeting processes. Furthermore, it aligns with the Good Governance Reform Roadmap, chaired by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which identifies expansion of 24/7 Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) services to PHC facilities as a provincial priority. Through strengthened SBA skills, structured mortality review mechanisms, and improved use of routine data, this technical assistance contributes to building a more resilient, accountable, and responsive provincial health system.

Alignment with other E4H TAs/investments

This technical assistance builds on previous E4H and FCDO-supported efforts that laid the strategic groundwork for health system strengthening in KP, including the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Roadmap and the Quality of Care (QOC) Strategic Plan. It aligns closely with the District Action Plans (DAPs) being developed with a focus on RMNCH, supporting their successful operationalisation and integration into provincial planning and financing processes. The technical assistance also draws on the SBAs Manual developed under FCDO’s earlier Integrated Health System Strengthening Delivery Project (IHSSDP) to ensure standardised training and mentorship across primary health care facilities.

Alignment with other donors (if relevant)

This technical assistance will closely work with the ongoing work of development partners including United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)  which supports Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) and Small and Sick Newborn Care (SSNCU); the World Health Organization (WHO) which provides technical guidance for Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) implementation and Quality of Care improvement; the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which contributed strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) and newborn survival systems; and Jhpiego, which focused on capacity building of midwives and SBAs. This alignment will promote synergy, reduce duplication, and reinforce coordinated action toward achieving provincial RMNCH and neonatal survival goals. Additionally, the team will also coordinate with the broader World Bank–funded initiatives, including the HCIP, National Health Support Project (NHSP), and the Primary Health Care Revamp Project, to ensure alignment, promote synergy, reduce duplication, and reinforce coordinated action toward achieving provincial Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and neonatal survival goals.

Scope of Work and Methodology

This technical assistance aims to strengthen provincial and district capacities in KP to institutionalise perinatal and neonatal death reviews in alignment with WHO’s Every Baby Counts framework. By enhancing the skills, systems, and coordination mechanisms of RMNCH structures, the technical assistance will promote data-driven accountability for newborn survival, enabling evidence-based decision-making to reduce preventable neonatal deaths in two selected districts of each province.

The team will work closely with the RMNCH, along with the National Health Support Project (NHSP), Human Capital Investment Project (HCIP), and the Primary Revamp Project, to ensure complementarity, alignment, and sustainability of interventions within the broader provincial health reform agenda.

The technical assistance will be implemented through a phased approach focusing on provincial sensitisation, district-level capacity building, and strengthening accountability and coordination systems.

Provincial-Level Sensitisation and Coordination

1. Conduct sensitisation sessions with provincial RMNCH units and technical working groups (TWGs) in KP on WHO/UNICEF guidelines for perinatal and neonatal death reviews (Every Baby Counts).
2. Support regularisation of TWG meetings on a quarterly basis under the leadership of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
3. Facilitate evidence-based discussions using timely maternal, perinatal, and neonatal data from lagging districts, with participation from key stakeholders—RMNCH units, DHOs/ academia, civil society, and development partners.

District-Level Capacity Building and Implementation

1. Using existing materials and manuals developed by the DOH and development partners, the consultant will prepare comprehensive training presentations tailored for various cadres—including Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), nurses, midwives, and medical officers working in Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centres (RHCs), and Tehsil/District Headquarters Hospitals (THQs/DHQs).
2. Conduct hands-on workshops in each selected district using Every Baby Counts package to train health personnel in identifying, reporting, and reviewing perinatal and neonatal deaths. This will include multiple batches[1], such as Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), midwives, and medical doctors working in Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centres (RHCs), as well as a dedicated batch for master trainers from District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQs). The duration and scheduling of trainings will be agreed upon in consultation with the DOH. The trainings will make use of the existing skills laboratories developed through the FCDO’s earlier investment under the DAFPAK programme. The duration and scheduling of the trainings will be agreed upon in consultation with the DOH.
3. Facilitate the re-establishment of District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) for monthly review of RMNCH data, coordination among stakeholders, and follow-up on actions. DHOs will report progress in quarterly provincial TWG meetings.
4. Establish feedback channels linking facility, district, and provincial levels to ensure lessons learned inform quality improvement measures.
5. Reinforce existing RMNCH coordination forums rather than creating new structures, focusing on regularity, transparency, and neonatal survival outcomes.
6. Promote collaboration among partners and government stakeholders to avoid duplication, enhance synergy, and sustain improvements in maternal and newborn care quality.

Sustainability: Capacity Building, Institutionalisation, and/or Transition Planning

1. The technical assistance will create a sustainable pool of master trainers comprising LHVs, midwives, and medical doctors who will continue to train and mentor facility-level staff in perinatal and neonatal death reviews. These master trainers will serve as district-level resource persons for ongoing capacity building beyond the TA period.
2. Training and mentorship activities will be integrated into existing DOH systems and structures, including RMNCH units, TWGs, and DHPMTs. The use of Every Baby Counts materials and the skills laboratories developed under the FCDO’s DAFPAK programme will further embed these competencies into routine practice.
3. The technical assistance will support a gradual transition of implementation responsibilities to provincial and district health authorities. Provincial RMNCH units and DHMTs will be capacitated to independently convene review meetings, monitor progress, and ensure regular reporting and feedback loops are maintained after TA completion.

Timeline and Days

The level of effort (LOE) for the role is 110 days from November 2025- November 2026.

Requirement

Technical Expertise

• Master’s degree in public health, Health Policy and Management, Maternal and Child Health, or a related discipline.
• 10-15 years of progressive experience in RMNCH programme coordination, implementation, and monitoring at provincial or district level.
• Demonstrated understanding of health system structures, RMNCH policies, and coordination mechanisms within the Department of Health and DGHS.
• Experience supporting or facilitating Technical Working Groups (TWGs), District Health Management Teams (DHMTs), or similar multi-stakeholder coordination forums.
• Strong knowledge of maternal, perinatal, and neonatal health programming — including death review and surveillance systems (MPDSR, Every Baby Counts).
• Practical experience in planning, conducting, and documenting capacity-building activities, stakeholder consultations, and review meetings.
• Familiarity with health data systems (e.g., DHIS2) and ability to interpret and use RMNCH indicators for decision-making.

Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Evidence-based design and policy recommendations.
• Ability to translate complex reforms into practical, actionable models.