Vacancy: National Consultant (NO C) to strengthen maternal and newborn health systems.

Publications [email protected] Wed, 08/07/2026 - 13:27 TERMS OF REFERENCE National Consultant to support Family & Reproductive Health Unit including Establishment and Operationalization of MPDSR Centres of Excellence, Family Planning and Capacity Building in Quality Maternal and Newborn Health Services Requesting Office World Health Organization – Lesotho Country Office Department / Cluster Family, Reproductive Health (FRH) / Health Systems Assignment Type National Individual Consultancy Position Grade NO-C (Special Service Agreement - SSA) Contract Duration 6 months (with monthly deliverables) Duty Station Maseru, Lesotho (with regular travel to Berea District) Supervision WHO Representative Expected Start To be confirmed upon contract award Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) is the internationally recognized continuous action cycle for identifying, notifying, reviewing, and responding to every maternal and perinatal death. When implemented with fidelity, MPDSR generates actionable, facility-specific evidence that drives improvements in the quality of obstetric and neonatal care. Critically, MPDSR is not merely a data collection exercise — its ultimate purpose is response: ensuring that the lessons from each death translate into concrete, sustained improvements in how care is delivered, and preventing similar deaths moving forward. The Ministry of Health has made strides in establishing MPDSR frameworks at national and district levels with WHO and other partners’ support. However, operationalization at facility level has been inconsistent, with persistent gaps including: incomplete death notification; irregular review meetings; poor-quality case documentation; weak review cultures; and a failure to translate findings into corrective actions. Concurrently, health worker competencies in core maternal and newborn care skills remain variable, contributing to preventable adverse outcomes. To address these interlinked challenges, the MoH proposes to establish four (4) MPDSR Centres of Excellence (CoEs) — two (2) in Maseru District and two (2) in Berea District. These CoEs will serve as high-performing reference sites modelling exemplary MPDSR practices, targeted quality improvement, and quality MNH services, designed from the outset as a replication model for systematic scale-up to all remaining districts and health facilities in the Kingdom of Lesotho. In addition, the National Family Planning Guidelines, last reviewed in 2021, require updating in light of current WHO recommendations, emerging global evidence, evolving contraceptive technologies, and national demographic trends, ensuring these guidelines remain evidence-based and aligned with international best practices. Key Responsibilities Under the overall designated supervision of the WHO FRH Focal Point and the National MoH MPDSR Coordinator, in close collaboration with the Maseru and Berea District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) and relevant development partners, the consultant will: Phase 1: Inception, Assessment, and Site Establishment (Month 1) a. Inception Review all existing national MPDSR policies, guidelines, prior programme reports, and available facility-level MPDSR and MNH data for Maseru and Berea Districts. Adapt a structured WHO facility assessment tool, approved by MoH, covering MPDSR governance, death notification and documentation systems, review committee functionality, cause-of-death classification practices, data quality, response action tracking, and core MNH clinical competency domains. Convene an inception meeting with MoH, DHMT, facility representatives, and stakeholders. b. Assessment and Establishment of MPDSR Committees Conduct facility assessments at all candidate CoE sites and capture quantitative baseline data against all programme indicators. Facilitate the strengthening or reconstitution of MPDSR committees at each CoE, ensuring multi-disciplinary membership as guided by national MPDSR guidelines. Develop Terms of Reference for each CoE MPDSR committee, endorsed by MoH and DHMT, specifying mandate, membership, review frequency, documentation requirements, and linkage to district and national oversight structures. Secure written commitment from facility management to protect MPDSR meeting time and uphold non-punitive culture standards. Phase 2 (concurrent): Review and Update of National Family Planning Guidelines (Month 2) Under the leadership of the Head of the Family Health Division, in collaboration with the Family Planning Programme Manager, UN team, and the technical task team: Develop a draft roadmap with clear timelines and share with MoH and the UN team for consensus, accompanied by an inception report. Conduct a comprehensive desk review of all relevant Family Planning documents, manuals, guidelines, and protocols to identify gaps relative to current WHO recommendations. Facilitate SRMNCAH&N Technical Working Group meetings and workshops to update the National Family Planning Guidelines based on the latest WHO FP recommendations. Draft the updated Family Planning Guidelines and an implementation/orientation plan. Present the first draft to the Technical Working Group and incorporate committee inputs. Present the revised draft to MoH senior management and incorporate their inputs. Present the orientation package to stakeholders and incorporate feedback. Provide regular progress updates to MoH, WHO, and UNFPA throughout the assignment. Phase 3: Systems Development, Training, and Capacity Building (Months 3–6) a. MPDSR Tools and Protocols Contextualize a standardized MPDSR tools package for CoE use, including: death notification registers; case summary forms; review meeting minutes templates; response action and QI tracking registers; and verbal autopsy instruments where applicable. All tools to be submitted to and approved by MoH prior to roll-out. b. MPDSR Committee Training and Mentorship Design and deliver an initial MPDSR committee training programme for all four CoEs, covering the complete MPDSR cycle, death notification, non-punitive death review facilitation, documentation, and QI action planning. Conduct structured monthly mentorship visits to each CoE (minimum one visit per CoE per month), using a standardized observation tool and producing written visit reports shared with CoE teams and DHMTs. Support each CoE committee to conduct at least two (2) fully documented MPDSR review meetings per month from Month 3 onwards, with coaching on facilitation, documentation quality, and action planning. Establish a QI action tracking mechanism at each CoE, ensuring every recommendation is assigned an owner, a timeline, and a verification method. c. Health Worker Capacity Building — Maternal and Newborn Health Based on assessment findings and emerging MPDSR data, design and deliver a targeted MNH capacity building programme at CoE facilities, covering priority clinical competency domains including: Active management of the third stage of labour (AMTSL) and management of postpartum haemorrhage Prevention and management of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia Infection prevention and management of puerperal sepsis Essential newborn care and immediate newborn resuscitation (Helping Babies Breathe) Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for low-birth-weight and preterm newborns Management of obstetric emergencies using simulation-based training approaches Respectful maternity care and rights-based approaches Deliver training using evidence-based adult learning methodologies incorporating skills stations, case scenarios, and simulation where feasible. Document training participation, pre- and post-training competency assessments, and planned follow-up for skills reinforcement. Phase 4: Data Collection, Monitoring, and Programme Reporting (Months 2–6) Implement the programme monitoring framework, collecting data against all specified indicators at monthly or quarterly intervals as indicated. Compile monthly data summary reports per CoE, including MPDSR system performance indicators and MNH service quality data, shared with CoE management, DHMTs, and MoH. Ensure each CoE maintains a complete, up-to-date death registry and that all maternal and perinatal deaths are notified within required timeframes. Phase 5: Progress Analysis, Scale-Up Framework, and Final Reporting (Month 6) Conduct end-of-period data collection and analysis against all baseline indicators, using the same methods and instruments to ensure comparability. Analyse baseline-to-end-line change in MPDSR system performance and MNH service quality indicators at all four CoEs. Conduct qualitative data collection (key informant interviews) to understand mechanisms of change, barriers, and enablers. Develop a comprehensive National MPDSR CoE Replication Framework comprising: a CoE establishment guide; standardised MPDSR tools package; training and mentorship curriculum; monitoring and data framework; costed expansion plan for the remaining eight districts; and a sustainability guide. Produce a comprehensive Final Technical Report integrating all phases, findings, lessons learned, and recommendations. Facilitate a national dissemination workshop presenting programme findings and the Replication Framework to MoH leadership, all DHMTs, development partners, and stakeholders, structured to formally transfer ownership of the Replication Framework to MoH. Key Deliverables and Timelines # Deliverable Due 1 Inception Report (detailed 6-month work plan with milestones, draft assessment tools) Baseline Assessment Report (facility assessments, baseline data, committee establishment status) End of Month 1 2 Updated National Family Planning Guidelines Implementation / rollout plan and orientation package Report on FP guidelines review and update Dissemination workshop for FP guidelines End of Month 2 3 MoH-approved MPDSR Tools Package MPDSR Committee Training Report (attendance, pre/post assessments) MNH Capacity Building Training Reports Monthly Mentorship Visit Reports Month 3 (tools & training); Monthly (visit reports) 4 Monthly Data Summary Reports per CoE (MPDSR system performance & MNH service quality data) Months 2–6 (per schedule) 5 End-Line Data Report and Impact Analysis National MPDSR CoE Replication Framework (all components) Final Technical Report National Dissemination Workshop with proceedings End of Month 6 Profile of the required consultant Qualifications University degree in Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery, Health Systems Management, or an advanced degree (master’s level or above) in Public Health or a closely related field, with background experience in reproductive, maternal, and newborn health programmes. A clinical qualification in obstetrics, gynaecology, neonatology, or midwifery is a strong advantage. Essential experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in maternal and/or perinatal health programme implementation in sub-Saharan Africa. At least five (5) years of professional experience in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Family Planning programming. Demonstrated technical expertise in MPDSR system design, operationalization, and involvement in facility-level MPDSR committee establishment and death review processes, with familiarity with WHO MPDSR guidelines. Proven experience in health worker capacity building in MNH clinical competencies, including practical skills training and mentorship. Experience in health facilities and district-level quality improvement methodologies. Demonstrated experience in programme data collection, management, and analysis, including baseline and end-line evaluation design. Experience developing health system scale-up plans and reviewing and updating clinical guidelines. Experience working in Lesotho or the Southern Africa region is a significant advantage; knowledge of the Lesotho health system and MoH structures is desirable. Desired experience: Experience working with UN agencies, government ministries, and health partners in a consultancy capacity. Familiarity with the Lesotho MoH institutional structures, DHMT operating arrangements, and national MPDSR and SRMNCAH&N frameworks. Prior engagement with DHIS2 or other national health information systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Technical Skills and Knowledge The ideal candidate should possess the following: Strong facilitation, training, and adult learning skills, with ability to work effectively with multi-disciplinary clinical teams. Excellent analytical and technical writing skills; ability to synthesize complex programme and health data into clear, evidence-based reports and guidelines. Proficiency in data management and analysis; familiarity with DHIS2 or similar health information systems is an advantage. Ability to manage a complex, multi-site assignment independently, meet deadlines, and maintain high-quality outputs under field conditions. High degree of professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and personal integrity; demonstrated commitment to non-punitive, rights-based approaches in maternal health. Strong coordination and communication skills, able to work effectively under tight deadlines with multiple stakeholders. Competencies: Producing results Moving forward in a changing environment Fostering integration and teamwork Communication Promoting innovation and organizational learning Language Skills: Excellent knowledge of English is required. Sesotho proficiency is a significant advantage. Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset. Compensation: The successful candidate/applicant will be compensated on a monthly basis at National Officer level C (NO-C) level of the WHO/UN scale in line with qualifications and experience. Application requirements: Interested candidates must submit all of the following: 1. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 5 pages) highlighting qualifications and directly relevant experience, particularly in MPDSR, MNH programming, capacity building, health systems work, and guidelines development in sub-Saharan Africa. 2. Three (3) professional referees: names, titles, organizations, and contact details, with indication of the candidate’s role in the relevant work. 3. Interested candidates should send their updated CVs through: wcolesothosocials [at] who.int ( wcolesothosocials[at]who[dot]int ) . Only applications received through this email will be included in the selection. Any form of solicitation is not allowed. Apply by 17 th July 2026 at 17:00 hours (GMT+2). Note: Prevention from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) All forms of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) are violations of human rights. WHO is fully committed to improving protection from sexual exploitation and abuse and takes a leadership role in addressing these challenges as part of the Inter-Agency PSEAH UN network. All candidates must observe and adhere to WHO standards for protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment throughout the assignment. Candidates must have no history of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment .