Consultancy for disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in humanitarian and fragile settings

Contracting programme or service: Inclusive Global Health Division (sectors of inclusive health and SRHR)

1. CONTEXT

Presentation of Humanity & Inclusion

Outraged by the injustice faced by people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, we aspire to a world of solidarity and inclusion, enriched by our differences, where everyone can live in dignity. Humanity & Inclusion / Handicap International (HI) is an independent and impartial aid and development organization with no religious or political affiliations operating in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable people to help meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. For further information: www.hi.org

Context

WHO estimates that globally 16% of the adult population (1 in 6 people) live with some form of disability and the proportion is higher (18%) in low- and middle-income countries. Disability is an important social determinant for health and well-being.[i] Persons with disabilities have the same if not even greater voluntary family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH)[ii] As a result, persons with disabilities face even greater sexual and reproductive health related risks, morbidities, and mortalities.[iii][iv]

Despite many nations being signatories of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) that affirm that universal access to health and SRH is a fundamental human right as emphasized in the good health and wellbeing and gender equality targets, and despite many nations committing to the WHO global disability action plan 2014 and other disability rights acts, the health rights and specifically the reproductive health rights and needs of persons with disabilities are often overlooked and underfunded in policies and programs. One of the key reasons for these priorities being overlooked in policies and decision-making is that disability rights groups, advocates and Organizations for Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) are not well represented in the policy and decision-making space to advocate for the unique challenges and needs that persons with disabilities face specifically in fragile and humanitarian settings. Therefore, there is a need to understand key institutional and policy barriers for persons with disabilities and OPDs engagement in FP/RH policy dialogue specifically in fragile settings and in the context of shocks and stressors.

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPECTED SERVICE

The consultant will co-design a framework for an activity that will address institutional and policy barriers for persons with disabilities that need FP/RH services in fragile settings. A rapid desk review and consultation is needed to understand key policy barriers and norms in fragile settings that prevent persons with disabilities and OPDs from engaging in FP/RH policy dialogue and decision-making. The rapid assessment will address a broad range of attitudinal, informational, environmental, policy and institutional barriers. Based on the key findings from the review and leveraging the views and expertise of OPD partners and other relevant stakeholders from government, humanitarian, and development organizations, the consultant will then design the framework for an activity focusing on advocacy and capacity strengthening approaches, particularly for persons with disabilities and OPDs. The framework will contribute to the development and implementation of disability inclusive sexual and reproductive health policies in fragile settings and in the context of shocks and stressors.

Description of Tasks:

Deliverable 1: Rapid Desk review

The consultant will first conduct a rapid desk review to identify key institutional and policy barriers to persons with disabilities and OPDs’ engagement in FP/RH policy dialogue and decision-making in fragile settings. This rapid assessment will include a review of relevant literature, reports, policy documents, evidence-based research, peer-reviewed journal articles, and other pertinent project documents. This review will set the context and foundation for the activity framework.

Deliverable 2: Consultations with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD)

Following the analysis of desk review findings, the consultant will test key findings of the review with OPD partners and self-advocates with disabilities. The consultations will also include health, FP/RH, and government stakeholders within humanitarian and fragile settings. The discussions will revolve around key policy barriers and gaps and the resources needed to support OPD/self-advocates in their FP/RH advocacy efforts. Key framing questions and accessible consultation materials will be developed.

Deliverable 3: Advocacy and capacity building activity Framework developed

Based on the review and recommendations from key stakeholders, as well as best practices in advocacy and capacity building shared by OPD partners, the framework for an advocacy and capacity building activity for persons with disabilities and OPD FP/RH policy engagement will be developed.

Deliverable 4: Dissemination materials – webinar presentation and 2-page brief

Once the activity framework is validated, the desk review findings will be shared with key stakeholders via a webinar and in the form of a 2-page brief.

Deliverables

1. Rapid Desk review of key barriers in fragile settings:
   1. Desk review of relevant literature, evidence, reports policy, and program documents. Identify existing resource materials and tools that are available for persons with disabilities to advocate on health equity, right to health and FP/RH.
   2. Create a Synthesis of Resource listing the materials and tools available, with analysis/commentary highlighting the gaps. For example, an advocacy tool might be created, but it is not available in easy-to-understand or other alternative accessible formats
2. Consultations with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities:
   1. Based on the findings from the desk review, select and coordinate with OPD partners to draft key questions and develop accessible consultation material.
   2. Conduct consultation sessions with OPDs/self-advocates, with health, SRHR and government stakeholders in humanitarian settings.
   3. Synthesize primary and secondary key findings and analysis from the rapid desk review and consultation with OPDs and other stakeholders
3. Advocacy and capacity building framework developed:
   1. Write-up a summary brief (10-15 pages maximum) that includes identified good practices in OPD advocacy and capacity building in humanitarian responses and incorporate and adapt to FP/RH in fragile settings.
4. Dissemination materials:
   1. Webinar presentation – presenting overview of methodology, key findings from rapid desk review, consultations; as well as outlining proposed Advocacy and Capacity Building framework to address institutional and policy barriers persons with disabilities face in ensuring their sexual and reproductive health rights in humanitarian/fragile settings.
   2. A two-page brief outlining the methodology, key findings and proposed Advocacy and Capacity Building Framework.

CONSULTANT’S PROFILE

The consultant(s) should possess relevant experience in undertaking a task of similar nature and magnitude, and shall have the following qualifications and experience:

• Background in social sciences, public health, SRHR
• At least 5 years of experience in designing, implementing and/or evaluating SRHR programs
• Proven expertise in SRHR, health systems strengthening
• Previous experience with HI and/or in humanitarian response/Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations is an asset
• Commitment and knowledge of health equity, inclusion, and participation under disability, gender and age lens
• Strong intercultural skills
• At ease with distance and autonomous work, respecting deadlines
• Excellent written English

DURATION AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICE

• Start date: 01 February 2024
• End date: 30 April 2024
• Place of performance: Online/remote
• The consultancy will be awarded pending the confirmation of funding

Application guidelines:

WORK PLAN

• Based on the proposed schedule included in these Terms of Reference, the consultant should establish a work plan (including number of days needed) for the completion of the service.
• The work plan should give a clear description of how the consultant intends to approach the activities necessary for the service’s completion.
• The plan should indicate the rate of progress and/or level of completion of the service, including criteria and indicators for checking that it is proceeding as planned.

[i] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health#:~:text=Key%20facts,1%20in%206%20of%20us

[ii] Tanabe, M., Nagujjah, Y., Rimal, N. et al. Intersecting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Disability in Humanitarian Settings: Risks, Needs, and Capacities of Refugees with Disabilities in Kenya, Nepal, and Uganda. Sex Disability

33, 411–427 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-015-9419-3

[iv] Sanju Bhattarai. (2023). Barriers and facilitators to sexual and reproductive health rights for Persons with Disability in Nepal: a scoping review.