International Consultant – Clinical Management of Rape (CMR)

Purpose of consultancy:

Gender-based violence including rape, is an acknowledged problem throughout the World. If left unaddressed, Sexual Violence and particularly rape may have severe negative physical, mental and social consequences for the survivors as well for their families and the larger community. It is therefore critical to prevent and manage consequences of Sexual Violence including rape because it is a human rights violation and has devastating health consequences to the survivor, their family and the community at large.   Survivors may suffer from depression, anxiety, contract HIV or other STIs, un-wanted pregnancies or stigma from family and community members. In situations of conflict and forced migration, sexual violence is known to escalate as community’s protection systems break down.

 

In South Sudan, the protracted instability and conflict has exacerbated the incidence of rape cases. According to the GBV Strategy (2017), rape is a common feature of the conflict threatening civilians inside and outside of the Protection of Civilians (POC) sites.[1] Gang rapes and abductions of women and girls by armed actors are reported regularly, often occurring when civilians cross military checkpoints; flee areas under military attack or when they leave PoC sites to collect firewood or food.[2] This has resulted into increased need for Clinical Management of Rape Survivors (CMR). 

 

Given the immediate as well as long-term negative effects of rape and sexual assaults on the physical and mental health of survivors, medical response, as a live-saving measure, is very critical.  

 

However, the delivery of medical services for GBV survivors in South Sudan is often uncoordinated, of varied quality, and not accessible to a majority of survivors. Therefore  there is need to streamline  coordinated  and ensure improved quality and consistent delivery of   CMR services  by all the stakeholders in South Sudan

 

Since 2014, a series of trainings on CMR/PFA have been undertaken to build capacity of Health workers in CMR service delivery.  The materials being used is based on IRC Clinical Care for Sexual Assault and WHO Clinical Management of Rape Survivors’ training guidelines. Over 400 Health workers have been trained on CMR.  Currently over 65 Health facilities have  capacity to respond to Sexual Violence cases with support from UNFPA. The assessment conducted in September 2016 revealed that 30 out of 35 health facilities reported that they are providing CMR/PFA services in humanitarian settings. Under the leadership of UNFPA, the training programme was harmonized in 2015 with three days refresher course training and a five days full course training programmes. In 2016, UNFPA trained a pool of 15 trainers on CMR/PFA who are involved in the implementation of the 2017 CMR/PFA training action plan.

 

However, the delivery of medical services for GBV survivors in South Sudan is often uncoordinated, of varied quality, and not accessible to a majority of survivors. Therefore, there is need to streamline coordinated and ensure improved quality and consistent delivery of   CMR services by all the stakeholders in South Sudan

 

With Support from UNFPA, MoH hired a consultant in late 2017 to develop national CMR protocol, data collection tools and implementation plan of the protocol and draft document was submitted. However, review of the report revealed that the quality of the document doesn’t meet the expectation of MOH.

 

Scope of work:

Proposed consultancy is therefore required to review, consult with stakeholders, improve the quality and finalise the current draft South Sudan National CMR protocol. 

 

Objective of the Consultancy:

• Review Zero draft of the South Sudan CMR protocol
• Support  MoH to conduct a validation meeting of the CMR protocol, before finalisation

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Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

The overall task of the consultancy is to review and finalize (draft CMR protocol prepared by the previous consultant) including  recommendations for implementation. The following are the specific tasks:-                                                                                                                                           

• Review the draft protocol to identify and guide for the establishment and strengthening of necessary tools for collecting information and reporting of CMR services
• To ensure that the final protocol harmonises and customize the global tools and provide sequential and systematic flow of approaches and services for CMR survivors across the country.
• Conduct consultation and validation workshop with relevant partners
• Share the final draft guideline/protocol with the Ministry of Health and other Government line ministries civil society organizations, International organizations and UN Agencies and incorporate feedback as appropriate

Duration:

The consultant is expected to fulfil the above tasks over a period of 14 working days.

 

Duration and working schedule:

14 working days from the date of Offer of the assignment

 

Place where services are to be delivered:

South Sudan-Juba

 

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered:

• Presentation of draft CMR protocol  at the validation meeting
• Electronic Copies of the CMR protocol for South Sudan

 

Monitoring and progress:

UNFPA will be responsible to monitor Consultant’s work based on agreed Inception report and agreed deliverables.

The final deliverables will be submitted to UNFPA on the last day of the consultancy

 

Supervisory arrangements:

The Gender Specialist  in UNFPA and RH Director in MoH

 

Expected Travel:

Within Juba

 

Qualifications and Experience:

• University Degree in Medicine and Public Health, health policy, social science
• 10-15 years  Years’ experience in strategic work related to RH, GBV with a focus on CMR
• Proven understanding of the Survivor centred approach and guiding principles of working with survivors
• Field experience on CMR
• Knowledge and familiar with Medical protocols mainly STIs, HIV etc.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective and working relationship with MoH, and other partners
• Good knowledge of South Sudan medical, Social, Health and Judicial context as well as of relevant I/NGOs and Public health sector that might be relevant to the CMR
• Forensic medicine experience is a plus. 
• Excellent written and spoken Communication skills in English

 

How to apply:

Applicants are kindly requested to send their application to  ssco.vacancies@unfpa.org by COB 26 April 2018. Applications received after this date will not be taken into consideration. All applications should be cleared marked with Subject Line “Clinical Management of Rape (CMR) (International Post)”.

Applicants will be short-listed on the basis of their qualifications and work experience. Only the short-listed candidates will be invited for interviews.

IMPORTANT: There is NO application processing or other fee at any stage of UNFPA application processes.