Technical Assistance Consultant - South Africa at Palladium: Make It Possible

This Opportunity:

• We are seeking two qualified consultants to support the development of a practical, evidence-informed and government-owned Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Strategic Framework and prioritized implementation roadmap for South Africa.
• The assignment will support the South African National Department of Health (NDoH) to consolidate existing and emerging SRHR initiatives, identify priorities and implementation constraints, and establish a clearer framework for coordinated action across national and provincial stakeholders and partners.
• Location: South Africa (consultants must be locally based and demonstrate a strong understanding of South Africa's operating environment, institutions, and development context) 
• Engagement type: Individual consultant assignments only. Applications from consulting firms, consortiums, consortium members, or other organizations will not be considered

The goal of the Technical Assistance:

The overall goal of this TA is to develop a practical, evidence-informed, and government-owned SRHR Strategic Framework and implementation roadmap that:

• Consolidates existing and emerging SRHR initiatives, investments, and access models across the SRHR continuum;
• Establishes a clear and prioritized set of SRHR objectives and interventions based on an assessment of current gaps, opportunities, and implementation constraints;
• Provides a practical roadmap for coordinated implementation, including clear institutional roles and responsibilities, implementation arrangements, and indicative resource requirements; and
• Supports the NDoH to steward, coordinate, and monitor SRHR priorities across national and provincial actors, regulators, delivery partners, civil society, and the private sector.

The two consultancy positions form part of a single, integrated technical assistance team: 

• SRHR Strategy Lead
• Research Analyst

Position 1: SRHR Strategy Lead:

• The SRHR Strategy Lead will provide overall technical leadership for the assignment and will be the primary author of the Strategic Framework and prioritized roadmap. The consultant will lead stakeholder engagement, oversee analysis and initiative mapping, facilitate consultations and validation, and support the final handover of the products to NdoH.

Position 2: Research Analyst:

• The Research Analyst will support research, stakeholder engagement and consultations, evidence synthesis, documentation, and development of the draft and final Strategic Framework.

Desired Qualifications and Experience 

Position 1 - SRHR Strategy Lead

• Advanced technical expertise in SRHR, including contraception, emergency contraception, termination of pregnancy services and cervical cancer prevention.
• Demonstrated experience working with NDoH and/or provincial departments of health in South Africa.
• Strong understanding of South Africa's health system, governance and broader political economy.
• Proven experience developing national or provincial health strategies, frameworks, implementation plans or health-sector roadmaps.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate high-level stakeholder consultations and build consensus across government and non-government stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, writing and stakeholder-management skills.

Position 2 - Research Analyst 

• Experience in public health, SRHR, health systems, health policy or a related field.
• Familiarity with South Africa's national and provincial health systems.
• Experience conducting qualitative research, stakeholder consultations and policy analysis.
• Strong analytical, research and report-writing skills.