Consultancy for Integration of E-Motive Approaches to RMNCAH Strategies in South Sudan

Background:  

South Sudan faces an extremely high maternal mortality rate, estimated at 1,223 per 100,000 live births, and a neonatal mortality rate of around 40 per 1,000 live births, with limited progress in recent years (WHO, 2025). These poor outcomes are driven by limited skilled workforce with 80% of births occurring at home without a skilled attendant and a fragile health system weakened by conflict and limited infrastructure (WHO, 2025). Complications of pregnancy and childbirth (especially postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)) remain a leading cause of death among South Sudanese women (UNICEF, 2017). Only 3.5 health workers serve per 10,000 people and 56% of the population lives more than 5 km from a health facility leaving many women without access to lifesaving care According to the Healthy Newborn Network (2023). Teenage pregnancy remains highly prevalent in South Sudan, with approximately 30% of girls aged 15–19 having begun childbearing (UNFPA; FP2030) and this further poses risk of increase maternal mortality rate among these pregnant  teenage mothers in South Sudan. This high rate is driven by a combination of structural and socio-cultural factors, including poverty, a high prevalence of child marriage (approximately 52%) (UNICEF, 2023), limited access to contraceptives (contraceptive prevalence rate of about 6% and inadequate provision of sexual and reproductive health education and services (WHO, 2025). 

The Safer Births in Crises (SBC) Initiative,  in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and  a consortium comprising of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), International Medical Corps (IMC), UNFPA and Jhpiego will implement targeted strategies for the prevention, detection and treatment of PPH in Malakal (Upper Nile State) and Juba (Central Equatoria State), including heat-stable carbetocin for PPH prevention, and  E-MOTIVE for early detection and rapid management of PPH in health facilities.  

Effective management of PPH is critical to reducing preventable maternal deaths. Recent evidence supports the E-MOTIVE approach (Early detection using calibrated drapes, Massage of uterus, Oxytocic drugs, Tranexamic acid, IV fluids, and Examination/escalation) as an effective bundle for timely and standardized PPH management. 

The consortium is therefore seeking a consultant to review policies, guidelines, training curricula and other related national documents pertaining to PPH and EmONC protocols to align with current global evidence and incorporate the E-MOTIVE approach. 

Objective of the Assignment 

To review, update, and harmonize national policies, guidelines, training curricula pertaining to PPH and EmONC protocols and guidelines to reflect current evidence-based practices, including incorporation of the E-MOTIVE approach. 

 Specific Objectives 

• Assess existing national guidelines, protocols, and training materials pertaining to PPH and EmONC.  

• Identify gaps, inconsistencies, and outdated practices.  

• Engage with SBC Consortium and TAG on which protocols to priorities to integrate the E-MOTIVE bundle into national protocols in a feasible and context-appropriate manner.  

• Ensure alignment with WHO recommendations and other global standards.  

• Develop user-friendly, implementable updated protocols and job aids.  

• Propose an implementation and dissemination strategy.  

Scope of Work 

The consultant will: 

• Submit an inception report which will include understanding the terms of reference and methodology, workplan and proposed timeline to undertake the assignment.  

• Develop appropriate tools and instruments for undertaking the assignment. 

• Conduct desk review relevant in line with the assignment.  

• Engage all SBC Consortium members, SBC TAG (when relevant), and key stakeholders and facilitate consultative meetings/workshops to gather input.  

• Update agreed upon protocols incorporating early detection methods (e.g., calibrated blood collection drapes) as well as standardized treatment bundle (E-MOTIVE) as well as any other documents identified by the consortium. 

• Update clinical guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs) as well as Job aids. 

• Develop a costed dissemination and implementation plan  

• Prepare a draft report present preliminary findings to the consortium, MOH, UNFPA IMC, IRC, and Jhpiego for comments and feedback. 

• Revise and submit a final copy of the report including recommendations. 

• Facilitate a national validation workshop.  

Key Deliverables: 

Consultant will produce and submit an inception report detailing assignment methodology, tools, and instruments to be used within 1 week after the signing of the contract/agreement. The inception report will be reviewed and approved by consortium within 4 days after submission before proceeding.  

Consultant will produce and submit first draft report of the assignment for review and comments to the consortium. The outline for this delivery could be as agreed in the inception report, but it should meet the scope of works as indicated in this TOR. 

Consultant will develop a final revised and validated guideline/protocol,  

Consortium Responsibility: 

Work closely with the consultant in planning, coordination, and execution of the assignment. 

Induction on the safeguarding policy for the consultant and associates before undertaking the assignment.  

Responsible for organizing meetings with the different stakeholders during the assignment (if required). 

Introducing the consultant to the Ministry of Health and other key contact persons in consortium from IRC, IMC, UNFPA and Jhpiego for facilitation of the execution of the assignment. 

Consultant Responsibility: 

Participate in the induction to the safeguarding policy and sign the safeguarding statement. 

Ensure the assignment is conducted as per the TOR and contract. 

Ensure the highest ethical standards and transparency are upheld during the assignment. 

Ensure that the time scheduled is adhered to. 

Responsible for his or her stationery and other items needed for evaluation. 

National flights/travel will be at the Consultant's responsibility (per the consultant submitted consultancy fee). 

Consultancy fee is expected to cover the consultant's subsistence needs (food, accommodation, security/allowances, enumerator fees, training). All costs related to the assignment should be included in the consultant’s financial proposal  

Consultant will be responsible for training the enumerators which are agreed as per inception report, and test the tools agreed (if needed), refinement will be done by the consortium after field testing. 

Data Disclosure: 

Stakeholders with access to this document will be limited and defined in collaboration with consortium during assignment inception. This will only include key designated focal persons in the Ministry of Health in South Sudan and other consortium members. The Consultant is not allowed to use other than for this assignment purpose or share data, findings, reports etc of this assignment, except with the written approval from consortium. 

Duration of Assignment: 

The estimated duration of the evaluation is 45 working days within the month of June and July 2026, which includes field work and report compilation.  

Payment: 

Payment upon receipt of invoice and completion of deliverables (first tranche 30%: inception report, second tranche 30%: draft report and third tranche 40%: final report). All costs of deployment to Juba and field locations in the target locations are to be in the financial proposal. The consultant is expected to arrange for his/her own accommodation and transportation in Juba. IRC will support in booking UNHAS flights to the study sites (if needed) and coordinate field ground transport, However, the responsibility of payment of the flights should be charged to consultation fee by the Consultant. Consultant is required to submit a detailed budget for this activity in his/her proposal. 

Qualifications: 

• Graduate level degree (MA, MPH) in International Health and Development or related program (coursework in Family Planning / Reproductive Health / Population Studies / Policy Analysis is preferred). Please attach academic documents for the academic qualification(s)ears’ experience working in health and development in general, and conducting research and surveys in Health, SRH, and/or family planning is preferred. 

• Excellent judgment, conceptual and analytical thinking ability. 

• Skills (Experience) in policy, advocacy, communication, and interaction with governmental and nongovernmental partners in health. 

• Proven experience in developing or revising clinical guidelines and protocols including having a strong knowledge of PPH management and EmONC.  

• Familiarity with WHO guidelines and the E-MOTIVE approach would be an added advantage. 

• Excellent writing and facilitation skills.  

How to apply 

Applicants should send: 

• Cover letter outlining relevant experience and skills against qualifications listed. 

• Technical Proposal detailing how the assignment will be executed. 

• CVs of proposed consultants and a company profile in case of a consultancy firm.  

• Note: Key personnel whose CVs are submitted in the proposal will undertake the assignment and work directly with the consortium. Any attempt at replacement or substitution of consultancy personnel will be treated as a breach of agreement. 

• Detailed budget to complete assignment  

• Provide a sample report(s) of similar work conducted previously, the name of the client may be redacted. IRC will only use the sample reports for the purpose of identification of a consultant for this assignment. 

Interested applicants should submit the proposal with relevant attachment as highlighted above to [email protected] not later than 19th June 2026 @ 4:30pm. 

NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

The IRC Core Values and Commitments: 

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. 

Safeguarding and PSEA policy: The IRC has a zero-tolerance policy for safeguarding/PSEA violations by staff, incentive workers, visitors, sub-grantees, suppliers/sub-contractors, and implementing partners. Safeguarding/PSEA at the IRC is an integral to organizational values and ethics, and staff and associates are expected to take all reasonable steps to prevent the sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment of any person linked to the program by both its employees and any downstream partner. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough background check and satisfactory references. 

Narrowing the Gender Gap: The International Rescue Committee is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including a flexible hour (when possible), maternity leave, transportation support, and gender-sensitive security protocols. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants because of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. 

“WOMEN, MINORITIES AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”.