Scope of Work

Background

Following the recommendations of the Council of Common Interest (CCI), the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation & Coordination (NHSR&C) formulated a National Action Plan. This plan was developed in consultation with Provincial Governments and other implementing partners from the public and private sectors. It articulates clear objectives along with roles and responsibilities of relevant provincial and federal governments and development partners. Financial modalities were also established through consultation with relevant stakeholders.

To oversee and steer the implementation of the action plan, a Federal Task Force chaired by the Prime Minister and Provincial Task Forces chaired by respective Provincial Chief Ministers were constituted. With regard to the financial requirements for implementation, the Federal Government created a Special Population Fund worth Rs.10 billion per annum (non-lapsable) outside the NFC award. The Fund, titled Pakistan Population Fund, aims to support the implementation of the action plan. However, the Federal Government could only allocate Rs 2.1 billion in FY 2022. In contrast, provincial Governments increased their development budget for population/family planning programs. Consequently, the Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Government received the usual budget allocation along with additional support in the form of FP commodities, which played a pivotal role in addressing commodity security issues.

UNFPA, through the Sihat Mand Khandaan (SMK) Project, a Canada Government funded project, has been working closely with the GB to create a policy-level conducive environment that promotes inclusive, gender-responsive FP and RH, while enhancing the capacity of health systems to deliver high-quality RH services. UNFPA, through the SMK project, extended technical support in establishing the FP2030 working group in GB. This group aims to provide a platform for coordination among relevant departments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to advance the FP agenda and FP2030 commitments, and to track progress on CCI recommendations and FP2030 commitments.

Considering the disparity in RH and FP indicators across districts of GB, with some districts achieving SDG targets and others lagging, the GB FP2030 working group recommended to develop a contextualized program to implement the action plan of CCI recommendations. UNFPA plans to provide Technical Assistance (TA) to the GB Government in drafting the concept note on contextualized FP program for securing funds to implement the action plan. To achieve this, a national consultant will be hired to support drafting the concept note in collaboration with relevant government departments, tailored to the context of GB and using the prescribed template.

Purpose of Consultancy

Technical assistance / support to the Population Welfare Department and Department of Health, Government of Gilgit Baltistan in drafting concept note on costed plan for implementation of action plan of recommendations of Council of Common Interest for family planning for submission to Planning and Development department. 

Description of Assignment

During the assignment, the consultant will work in close collaboration with the Population Welfare Department and will liaise with the Department of Health and P&D, GB.

For timely submission of deliverables, seeking technical guidance and quality control measures, the candidate will closely work with SRH team of UNFPA.

The key tasks of the consultant will include:

• Review the existing SRH/FP programs and interventions and identify gaps/needs in implementing CCI recommendations’ action plan, and FP2030 commitments, in consultation with relevant departments and stakeholders.
• Identify key interventions and the geographic areas of the focus in consultation with relevant departments particularly with DoH and PWD.
• Draft key implementation actions/interventions, along with estimated costs, based on the identified gaps and needs.
• Develop a draft concept note in the government's prescribed format and support the PWD in submitting the concept note to the Planning & Development Department.
• Support the PWD in addressing any comments or observations received from the Planning & Development Department.
• Draft a concise report documenting the entire project/process.
• Two consultative meetings in Gilgit

Sr. No.	Deliverables	Timeline	Payment Schedule
1.	Inception Report: Review the existing SRH/FP programs and interventions and identify gaps/needs in implementing CCI recommendations’ action plan, and FP2030 commitments, in consultation with relevant departments and stakeholders.	May 15 2024	20%
2.	Concept Note: Develop a draft concept note in the government's prescribed format and support the PWD in submitting the concept note to the Planning & Development Department. Support the PWD in addressing any comments or observations received from the Planning & Development Department.	May 25, 2024	50%
3.	Concise final report: Draft a concise report documenting the entire project/process.	May 30, 2024	30%

Eligibility:

Knowledge and Experience:

• Advanced university degree in public or public policy, social sciences or other relevant studies.
• At least 15 years of experience of working in FP, preferably with public sector
• Hands-on experience in public policy formulation and implementation
• Demonstrable linkages with the relevant policy makers in GB is added advantage
• Exceptional verbal, written and presentation skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work on tight deadlines

• Strong knowledge of contemporary development issues nationally and globally on SRH and FP at policy level.
• Strong knowledge of SDGs and Pakistan’s commitments to the goals.
• Excellent networks/linkages with government and civil society partners

• Strong knowledge of development, welfare and governance structure of Gilgit-Baltistan. 

Functional competencies:

• Advocacy/Advancing a policy-oriented agenda.
• Innovation and adopting new approaches.
• SRH and FP

Core Competencies:

• Values: Integrity/Commitment to mandate, Knowledge sharing/Continuous learning, Valuing diversity
• Managing Relationships: Working in teams, Communicating information and ideas, Conflict and self-management
• Working with people: Empowerment/Developing people/Performance management
• Personal Leadership and Effectiveness: Strategic and analytical thinking, Results orientation / Commitment to excellence, Appropriate and transparent decision making.

Languages:

Written/ verbal competency in English and Urdu is required. Any regional language is desirable.

• especially in international/humanitarian contexts.

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