National Consultant Expert Consultant for Maternal Death Reporting and Logistics Management Information Systems

Hiring Office:

UNFPA Philippines CO

Purpose of consultancy:

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. 

In the Philippines, UNFPA has started implementing its new five-year 9th Country Programme (CP) 2024-2028.  It aims to ensure delivery of accessible, quality, and comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) particularly vulnerable populations in high-burden, disaster-prone, and conflict-affected regions. To further support these goals, among the interventions is advocating for the replication and scale-up of proven real-time administrative data systems in target regions and provinces, such as the Barcode Track and Trace System and Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MNDSR) protocols. 

These efforts align seamlessly with the Department of Health's (DOH) commitment to digital health transformation and broader health system strengthening, which focuses on building a more responsive, data-driven, and resilient supply chain infrastructure. As part of the country's Acceleration Plan for Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality, the DOH and its partners are actively working to strengthen in-country capacity for Maternal Neonatal Death Surveillance and Response (MNDSR) systems. 

Furthermore, the DOH is incorporating barcoding features into the Electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS). This integration will significantly enhance inventory management through accurate stock counts and faster audits, improve distribution and supply chain control with efficient tracking, and enable timely monitoring and reporting with real-time visibility and performance analytics across the DOH supply chain. This barcoding system, fully integrated with the eLMIS, is a crucial component of the wider eLMIS deployment.

In BARMM, UNFPA is providing technical assistance and capacity building support to the Ministry of Health (MOH) in institutionalizing enhanced MNDSR and eLMIS through the Japan-funded BABAE Project.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide expert guidance and support to the DOH in two critical areas: modernizing and optimizing their MNDSR reporting system and overseeing the successful integration of a barcoding system with the eLMIS. For the MNDSR system, the consultant will act as a digital transformation specialist, identifying improvements for the existing Google Forms, streamlining data entry, and implementing automated analysis and reporting tools. The goal is to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and utility of MNDSR data for informed decision-making, action planning, and the establishment of robust feedback and alert mechanisms. 

Regarding the barcoding system, the consultant will serve as a project oversight and assurance specialist, ensuring the implementing partner's work aligns with DOH objectives, monitoring progress, managing risks, and facilitating communication to guarantee a seamless and timely deployment of the integrated barcoding system with eLMIS.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Expert Consultant for Maternal Death Reporting and Logistics Management Information Systems will support the Philippine Country Office through the following:

A. Digitalization of Maternal Neonatal Death Surveillance And Response Reporting System

• Assist in analyzing the existing Google Form's structure, usability, and alignment with the DOH's MNDSR guidelines
• Support streamlining of the data entry process by exploring the implementation of features like conditional logic and data validation rules.
• Recommend and assist in integrating tools for automated data analysis and reporting to better support data utilization and action planning.
• Support the Establishment of a Feedback Mechanism for regular data review which could include a death notification alert system.

B. Deployment of a Barcoding System Integrated with the eLMIS System

• Provide oversight for the barcoding system's integration with eLMIS, ensuring alignment with DOH’s objectives through collaboration with the implementing partner. This will be initiated between DOH and MOH BARMM and scaled up to other regions as positive results are obtained.
• Monitor the contracted provider's timelines, deliverables, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure on-schedule implementation.
• Facilitate regular coordination meetings and review the contracted provider’s progress reports to ensure transparency and alignment.

Duration and working schedule:

September  to December 31, 2025 Deliverable-based

Place where services are to be delivered:

This consultancy is a mix of home-based and on-site work (as needed).  However, s/he is expected to meet regularly with the Department of Health. 

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

The suggested payment schedule is detailed below:

1. The first payment of 30% will be made upon receipt and acceptance of MNDSR System Design & Requirements by October 2025. This comprehensive report will outline critical recommendations for implementing conditional logic, data validation rules, and integrating automated data analysis and reporting tools within the MNDSR system.
2. The second payment of 40% will be made upon the acceptance of the Barcoding System Integration Oversight Report by November 2025. This report details the consultant's feedback and actionable recommendations to the contracted provider to ensure successful implementation. 
3. The remaining 30% will be made upon submission and acceptance of Evaluation & Recommendation report for both MNDSR & Barcoding) by December 2025. This report will critically evaluate the effectiveness of the initial system deployments and provide strategic recommendations for their future expansion and optimization.

Below is the table for ease of reference:

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

Supervisory arrangements: 

The Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the Assistant Representative and day to day supervision of the Maternal and Family Planning Analyst.

Expected travel:

May travel to 9CP Project sites (as needed)

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

I. Educational Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Public Health, Health Informatics, Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field  OR
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

II. Professional Experience

• Essential
  • At least two (2) years of related work experience of progressively responsible experience in the design, development, implementation, and management of digital health systems, health information systems, or data management platforms, particularly in a public health context.
  • Proven experience with data collection tools and platforms, including experience in optimizing their structure, usability, and data validation
  • Coursework or demonstrable understanding of maternal and child health programs, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), or public health surveillance.
  • Experience in project management, including monitoring timelines, deliverables, and risk mitigation strategies, preferably in the context of digital system deployments.
  • Familiarity with or experience working within the Philippine health sector context and understanding of Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and systems.
• Desirable:
  • Experience with Maternal Neonatal Death Surveillance and Response (MNDSR) systems or similar public health surveillance initiatives.
  • Experience with barcoding systems and their integration with logistics management information systems (LMIS) or similar supply chain management systems.
  • Familiarity with eLMIS systems and their functionalities.
  • Experience in stakeholder coordination and facilitation of meetings, particularly with government agencies and implementing partners.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

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

FUNCTIONAL AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Innovation and Digital Solutions
• Health Systems Strengthening
• Strategic Planning and Program Management
• Client Orientation and Partner Engagement
• Analytical and Problem-Solving
• Digital Health Expertise
• Maternal and Reproductive Health (SRH) Context
• Policy and Regulatory Acumen (Digital Health)
• Monitoring & Evaluation for Digital Interventions
• Training and Capacity Building (Digital Tools)