International Consultant – Technical Specialist in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Family Planning

Hiring Office:

UNFPA Timor-Leste Country Office, Dili

Purpose of consultancy:

Background

Family planning (FP) is a critical component of reproductive health and rights, playing a key role in improving health outcomes, enhancing quality of life, and contributing to broader health and development objectives. Ensuring that healthcare providers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to offer high-quality FP services is essential to achieving these goals. A comprehensive, competency-based, and rights-based approach to FP training is vital to ensure that services are delivered effectively and equitably.

In Timor-Leste, the existing FP training package, which expired in 2022, has not been updated since then. This has resulted in an outdated training framework that does not align with the latest developments in family planning practices, policies, or international standards. To address this gap, a consultant will be engaged to review and revise the current FP training package. The revised package will be aligned with the Timor-Leste FP Policy, best practices, and international competency standards, as well as human rights principles.

The updated training package will incorporate the most recent information and evidence-based practices, ensuring that healthcare providers are adequately prepared to meet the needs of individuals and communities seeking FP services. By updating and aligning the training with global standards, the revised package will contribute to improving the quality of family planning services, ensuring they are accessible, equitable, and respectful of human rights. This initiative will also help strengthen the capacity of healthcare providers, enabling them to deliver safe, effective, and culturally sensitive family planning services across Timor-Leste.

The objectives of this consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to:

• Review the existing Family Planning training package.
• Revise the package to ensure that it integrates up-to-date evidence, competency-based learning objectives, and a strong focus on rights-based approaches to family planning.
• Ensure that the revised training package is aligned with global and regional standards, policies, and frameworks related to family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The consultant will undertake the following activities:

1. Review of Existing Training Package
   • Conduct a thorough review of the current Family Planning training package, including all modules, materials, and resources.
   • Evaluate the content based on established competency frameworks for family planning, and assess its alignment with human rights-based approaches to reproductive health.
   • Identify gaps or areas for improvement in content, structure, and pedagogy.
2. Revisions to Training Package
   • Revise the existing training materials to ensure they are competency-based and integrate relevant SRHR principles.
   • Ensure the training package covers topics such as:
     • Informed consent and client-centered care
     • Contraceptive methods and counseling techniques
     • Gender sensitivity and inclusivity
     • Adolescent and youth-friendly services
     • Addressing cultural and social barriers to family planning access
   • The training packages will be developed in 8 separate modules with separate modules, one for facilitators and one for participants

• Module I for Community Health Volunteer. The module will focus on simple messages for clients, including define FP, birth spacing and its benefit, addressing myhts and correct missed conception in communities.
• Module II short acting methods for Nurses, Doctors and midwives.
• Module III Long-Acting Reversible Contraception methods (LARC) for doctors and Midwives.
•  Modules IV Permanent Methods for medical doctors and midwives work in hospital
• Module V Counseling method
• Module VI Infection prevention
• Module VII Fertility Awareness Based Methods (Lactation Amenhorhea Method (LAM), Billing method, Standard Days Method (SDM) Cycle Bids.
• Module VIII Post Partum Family Planning
• Module IX Medical Emergency Module (MEM)

Write detailed content for each module, ensuring it is clear, concise, and engaging. Enhance the training package by incorporating real-life case studies, practical exercises, flip chart for each method and assessment tools that reinforce the skills needed for quality service delivery include case studies, role-playing scenarios, and interactive elements to enhance learning. Each module composed of guide for facilitators, participant’s handbook, verification list for methods, checklist for each procedure.

1. Designing Evaluation and Assessment Tools

• Develop methods for assessing participant knowledge, skills, and performance during and after the training.
  • Design pre- and post-training assessments to evaluate knowledge acquisition for each session in each module.
  • Develop practical evaluations including role-playing and case simulations for assessing skill development.
  • Create feedback forms for participants to evaluate the quality of the training.

1. Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement
   • Engage with relevant stakeholders, including experts, healthcare providers, and community members, to incorporate their feedback and ensure the training package is contextually relevant and culturally appropriate.
   • Collaborate with relevant health ministries, organizations, or implementing partners to align the revised package with national guidelines and policies.
2. Testing and Validation
   • Pilot the revised training package with a small group of participants (healthcare providers, trainers, or community workers).
   • Conduct a training session and gather feedback from the pilot group to refine the materials, ensuring they are practical and effective.
   • Make adjustments to the materials, delivery methods, or structure based on feedback and results. 
3. Final Revision and Delivery
   • Finalize the revised Family Planning training package based on the pilot feedback and final stakeholder consultation.
   • Deliver the finalized training package in a format that is accessible and adaptable for various training contexts (in-person and online).

Duration and working schedule:

The consultancy is expected to take 88 days started from the signing of the contract, with the following key milestones;

1. A report on the review of the existing Family Planning training package, outlining gaps and areas for improvement. 
2. Draft of Revised Training Package Modules

Initial drafts of all nine modules (facilitator and participant versions), including updated content, structure, and integrated SRHR principles.

1. Development of Evaluation and Assessment Tools

A complete set of assessment tools including pre- and post-tests, role-play and simulation exercises, checklists, flip charts, verification lists, and participant feedback forms.

1. Stakeholder Consultation and Feedback Integration

Summary report of stakeholder engagement sessions, with integrated feedback and alignment with national policies and guidelines.

1. Pilot Testing and Validation of Training Package

Pilot implementation report detailing feedback, effectiveness, and recommended adjustments to training materials and methodology.

1. Finalization and Submission of the Training Package

Fully revised and finalized training package revised in an accessible format (PDF, Word, or online). 

Place where services are to be delivered:

Remote and online meeting with technical groups to update the progress and ensure the content is aligned with the country's needs. Consultant will require coming to Timor-Leste for a consultative workshop and pilot testing of the training package. All the cost will be borne by UNFPA.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

The deliverables will be delivered in electronic copy to UNFPA. Deliverables as follow: 

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format, and deadline:

Supervisory arrangements: 

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Country Representative and work closely with SRH   team. 

Expected travel:

No travel is required 

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Minimum educational qualifications and working experience:

The consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:

• Educational Background:
  • A postgraduate degree in Public Health, Reproductive Health, Health Policy, Family Planning and or a related field.
• Relevant Experience:
  • At least 5 years of experience in reproductive health, family planning, or related fields, with specific experience in the development of health guidelines or policies.
  • Experience working in Timor-Leste or similar low-resource settings is highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with international guidelines and best practices in family planning, including WHO, UNFPA, and other relevant frameworks.

• Skills and Competencies:
  • Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality, evidence-based documents.
  • Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with experience in stakeholder consultation and working with diverse groups.
  • Experience in stakeholder engagement and consultation, with a proven ability to facilitate discussions and incorporate diverse perspectives.
• Language: Fluent in English

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g., support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA will support resource materials, and reference documents if require