The Background:

Nepal is one of the commitment making countries to the FP2030 with the objectives of achieving an increase in modern contraceptive prevalence from 44.2% in 2019 to 60% by 2030. Following its commitment the National Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan (NFP-CIP) 2024-2030 was developed based on the vision and strategies set in the FP 2030 commitments and other existing FP strategies and plans of the Government of Nepal.

The NFP-CIP was developed in a consultative and inclusive process and aims to enhance health governance in a federal context, improve equitable access to a variety of contraceptives, ensure responsive SRHR services for adolescents, youth, and underserved groups, maintain year-round availability of family planning commodities, implement strategic behavioral change interventions, ensure incremental domestic and other budget allocations towards universal health coverage. The NFP-CIP identified high impact practices both from Nepal and elsewhere to be scaled up for achieving the 60% CPR target by 2030. Among the high impact practices is strengthening the role of the private sector. 

The government sector is the most common source for modern contraceptive methods, serving 69 percent of modern method users. About one-fourth (23%) of contraceptives are provided through the private medical sector and only 5 percent of modern method users acquire their method from non-governmental organizations. It is important to note that the public sector is the predominant source for injectable (69%) implants (89%), IUCD (68%), male sterilization (83%), and female sterilization (78%), while the private sector, primarily pharmacies andprivate clinics, are the main source for male condom (68%) and pills (49%). Similarly, younger contraceptive users are more likely to rely on private sector sources than their older counterparts. Thirty-nine percent of married adolescent users aged 15-19, 35% of married users ages 20-24, and 24% of married users who are 25 years old or older rely on private sources.

Acknowledging the increasing role of the private sector, the NFP-CIP outlined various strategies to involve them in capacity building, service delivery, monitoring, and coordination. Key recommendations in the NFP-CIP include
integrating private sector operations with national supply chain management systems (procurement of contraceptives, consumables, FP instruments, and related equipment), recording and reporting of logistics (eLMIS) services (HMIS), utilizing data for programing, improved regulation of the private sector to ensure the quality of FP commodities, enhanced coordination, capacity building training, and quality assurance activities in line with national standards. 

Through the NFP-CIP and other strategies, the government has committed that the capacity of the private sector should be optimally utilized. This commitment cannot be realized without a systematic engagement such as through formal public–private partnerships (PPPs) mechanism that promotes mutual benefits. Key private sector players in FP service provision in Nepal are private pharmacies, private health service providers, semi-governmental entities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

To foster structured engagement with the private sector and ensure the successful implementation of the priorities outlined in the NFP-CIP, UNFPA Nepal is seeking a consultant to conduct political economy analysis including private sector landscape analysis and facilitate the development of a public-private partnership
(PPP) framework.

The Position:

The consultant will conduct comprehensive political, economic and policy analysis of current national practices in line with the NFP-CIP and UNFPA supply management strategies including the newly developed UNFPA policy on sale of UNFPA-procured reproductive health commodities.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the UNFPA CO Nepal and Family Welfare Division (FWD) to conduct analysis of current policies and programmes, stakeholder analysis and recommend a PPP framework which promotes collaboration across the public (federal, provincial and local) and private (for-profit and not-for-profit) sectors. The consultant will work closely under the direct supervision of Technical Advisor, SRHR.

You would be responsible for:

• Conduct comprehensive political, economic and policy analysis of family planning landscape in Nepal taking into consideration the federal structure and complex dynamics such as resource availability and flow, change in demographic structure, increasing share of the private sector, roles of the three tiers of government and the relationship of each with the private sector.
• Conduct stakeholder analysis to map and quantify who is doing what and where, including the untapped potential of stakeholders and opportunities for reaching the marginalized and underserved groups such as youth and other marginalized groups.
• Conduct analysis of the new NFP-CIP and UNFPA policy on sale of UNFPA-procured reproductive health commodities and facilitate national and sub national dialogue and recommend the best way to collaborate to increase the market for and the availability of FP services and methods for promoting Total Market Approach (TMA), including key risks and mitigation measures.
• Using the findings from landscape analysis, stakeholder analysis and national dialogue, draft a PPP framework that defines roles and responsibilities of each sector for achieving the national FP targets set in the FP2030 commitment and NFP-CIP
• Following consensus on the role of the UNFPA policy on sale of donated product, design a) a pilot to test implementation; and b) in-depth operational research of the pilot

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Master’s degree in public health, health economics, Public Policy, or a closely related field from a recognized university.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years of progressive professional experience in health policy, health financing, sexual and reproductive health including family planning within a particular focus on the context of Nepal
• Demonstrated understanding of the family planning landscape in Nepal, including its socio-cultural dynamics, political structures, and institutional frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting political economy analysis in health sector in Nepal preferably in the federal context.
• Demonstrable track record of providing high-quality policy frameworks for Governments.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking abilities, with a strong capacity to synthesize complex information and draw clear, evidence-based conclusions.
• Proven experience of having worked within the UN system's mandate and programming related to sexual and reproductive health is an asset.

Languages: 

• Proficiency in English and Nepali (both written and spoken) is essential.

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,

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

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.