International Consultant | Consultancy on Mapping sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) indicators collected through routine health information systems (RHIS) in countries in the UNFPA Arab States Region

Purpose of consultancy::

UNFPA’s Strategic Plan, 2026–2029, highlights the central role of evidence-based programming in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). While
censuses and population-based surveys remain essential sources of disaggregated data for monitoring SRHR outcomes, the Plan places increasing emphasis on routine
health information systems (RHIS) as critical tools for generating timely, real-time data to support SRHR planning, implementation and monitoring. These systems—including
health management information systems (HMIS), logistics management information systems (LMIS) and civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS)—capture data generated through service delivery at public and private health facilities, community health posts and clinics. Importantly, RHIS often functions even during protracted humanitarian crises, potentially providing critical data for programme management across diverse settings. When routinely analysed and applied to programme planning and quality improvement, RHIS data can significantly strengthen the effectiveness and impact of SRHR interventions.

To strengthen the management and quality of data generated through routine health information systems, many governments across the Arab States region have adopted
the open-source District Health Information Software (DHIS2). Improvements in data management and accessibility through DHIS2 have significantly expanded the use of
RHIS data for generating health statistics, monitoring indicators and evaluating health programmes. RHIS data is now widely used across programmes such as maternal and
child health, family planning and community outreach services to support case reporting, incidence analysis and the assessment of key service quality indicators.
These include programme coverage, service utilization and cost-effectiveness, enabling more informed decision-making and strengthening the overall performance and
accountability of health systems. The effective use of RHIS data for generating reliable health statistics is, however, constrained by technical, behavioural and organizational
challenges.

UNFPA ASRO seeks to undertake a comprehensive mapping of SRHR indicators captured through RHIS/HMIS as part of its broader efforts to strengthen the capacity of
country offices, national statistical systems and health departments to use RHIS data for generating SRHR indicators. In addition to mapping all SRHR-related elements currently captured through RHIS, the assessment will look at RHIS capacity strengths and gaps in core areas of infrastructure, data quality assurance mechanisms and data use. This work will be coordinated with the World Health Organization (WHO) at both the regional and country office levels to ensure the findings can inform RHIS strengthening efforts in each country.

UNFPA Arab States Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to coordinate and ensure successful completion of the assessment. An assessment proposal, including data collection tools, has been developed by the Regional Office in collaboration with country offices to guide the exercise. Data collection will be facilitated by SRHR focal points in country offices. The SRHR focal points will assist the consultant in identifying national published information sources that respond to the assessment objectives. Further, the SRHR focal points will assist the consultant in arranging consultations with the Ministry of Health (MOH) programme managers, data managers and other relevant national stakeholders for the purpose of collecting primary comprehensive and accurate data based on a standardized tool.

You will report to the Population and Development Advisor, UNFPA ASRO.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Scope of work:

Specifically, the consultant will do the following:

• Review the assessment proposal already prepared by UNFPA, including the data collection tools and provide any recommendations for improvement to ensure high quality data generation in a timely fashion. The recommendations should be compiled in an inception report outlining the proposed approach to undertaking the assignment and an outline of the final assessment report to be discussed with and approved by UNFPA.
• Conduct a review of relevant literature on the regional RHIS landscape and the generation of SRHR indicators from RHIS for inclusion in the assessment report.
• Liaise with the SRHR focal points to identify national published information sources that respond to the assessment objectives, compile the information and identify areas for further primary data collection.
• Coordinate with SRHR focal points at UNFPA country offices on primary data collection and validation processes with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other stakeholders to ensure the quality, accuracy and consistency of country-level data. Country Office SRHR focal points will facilitate data collection by supporting the consultant in organizing consultations with MOH programme managers, data managers and other relevant national stakeholders. These consultations may be conducted through workshops, focus group discussions, or existing coordination mechanisms such as technical working groups, with the aim of collecting comprehensive and accurate primary data using the standardized assessment tool. The SRHR focal points will also support the national validation of the assessment findings and recommendations.
• In coordination with SRHR focal points, conduct key informant interviews, focus groups or consultations with MOH staff and other stakeholders to collect the required data in line with the study proposal.
• Compile and analyze data from all participating country offices in accordance with the study proposal.
• Compile a draft report detailing each country’s RHIS context and assessment findings and recommendations tailored to each country.
• Based on the assessment findings, develop a guidance note to support UNFPA country offices in advocating for routine health service data collection and the strengthened use of RHIS data for SRHR programming. This guidance note will address the following areas: 1) the current status of HMIS in each country, including coverage by services and health service level; 2) SRHR indicators currently collected through RHIS/HMIS, including metadata definitions where available, such as numerators and denominators; 3) an assessment of RHIS system capacity, infrastructure, data quality and data use; and 4) recommendations for UNFPA support to RHIS strengthening, including strategies for advocating for routine health service data collection, tailored to each country.
• Present key findings and recommendations from the assessment during a virtual meeting with UNFPA regional and country office technical teams and incorporate feedback into the assessment report.
• Develop and submit the final assessment report incorporating all feedback for final approval by the UNFPA ASRO focal point.

You would be responsible for:

• An inception report detailing the approach to undertaking the assignment, work plan and an outline of the draft assessment report.
• A comprehensive literature review report on the regional RHIS landscape and the generation of SRHR indicators from RHIS in each country.
• Completed data collection tools from each country, including full mapping of SRHR-related indicators captured in DHIS2 and a report on validation done for each country’s data.
• A draft assessment report and a guidance note to support country offices in advocating for routine health service data collection and strengthened use of RHIS data for SRHR programming.
• A presentation slide deck on key findings and recommendations from the assessment to be shared during a virtual webinar.
• A final assessment report incorporating all feedback and approved by UNFPA ASRO.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education: Advanced university degree in public health, health informatics, health information systems, demography, social sciences or related fields.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Five years experience in research, policy analysis or program implementation in health information systems. At least 7 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Proven experience in health systems strengthening, including DHIS2 application, in the Arab region.
• Demonstrated expertise in drafting technical reports and guidance notes.
• Knowledge of international health information system assessment frameworks and tools and best practices.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• Experience working in the Arab context is highly desirable.

Languages: Full professional proficiency in both written and oral English and Arabic is a requirement; a working knowledge of French is desirable.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.