Individual Consultancy for the Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) Refresher Training - UNPFA SROC, Barbados

Background

The UNFPA Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean (SROC) remains committed to ensuring the effective implementation of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programmes across the region. Central to this commitment is the Build Back Equal (BBE) Project, which serves as a strategic framework to meet the objective of providing increased, sustainable opportunities and universal access to SRH services for women and girls.

In the Caribbean sub-region, while contraceptive prevalence rates have improved, significant challenges remain in ensuring access to a full range of options. Short-acting methods, such as pills and injectables, dominate the landscape, whereas Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)—including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal implants—remain underutilized. These methods are highly effective, user-independent, and provide extended protection against unintended pregnancies, yet their uptake is often hindered by provider misconceptions and a lack of specialized clinical training.

Recognizing these gaps, UNFPA previously conducted foundational training on the use and insertion of LARCs in Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. However, to ensure clinical excellence and long-term sustainability, there is a critical need to transition from basic training to advanced proficiency. To further strengthen the capacity of these health providers and sharpen their clinical efficiency, UNFPA requires a consultant to coordinate a comprehensive refresher training program. This initiative will not only reinforce technical skills but also address provider biases and promote culturally sensitive counseling, ultimately expanding the landscape of contraceptive choice and empowering women and girls to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
 

Purpose of Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to coordinate and facilitate a comprehensive refresher training program in the four BBE countries (Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) to refresh and sharpen the clinical skills previously gained by healthcare providers. The primary goal is to enhance the clinical efficiency of these providers in delivering Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs), thereby expanding sustainable contraceptive options for women and girls.

Scope of work/Main tasks and responsibilities, et al

Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Barbados and OECS Liaison Officer and technical oversight from the Regional SRH Advisor, the Consultant will be responsible for refreshing and sharpening the clinical proficiency of healthcare providers in Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Consultant will design and facilitate a 3-day refresher training program for each country, specifically structured as 1 day of theory and 2 days of practical, hands-on clinical application.
The specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Development of Refresher Training Materials: - Design a streamlined training guide and materials focused on refreshing skills for the insertion and removal of LARCs (IUDs and subdermal implants).
• Ensure materials emphasize clinical efficiency, the management of side effects, and updated infection prevention protocols.
• Tailor the program to address the specific needs of diverse populations, including adolescents, postpartum women, and persons with special needs.
• Clinical Training and Capacity Strengthening ( 3 days in each of the BBE Country and 12 Days Total):
• Conduct a 1-day theoretical refresher focusing on patient-centered counseling, informed consent, and the latest clinical research in LARC technologies per country.
• Lead 2 days of intensive, hands-on clinical practice and expert-supervised sessions to sharpen the technical speed and precision of healthcare providers during IUD and implant procedures per country.
• Facilitate sessions aimed at identifying and mitigating provider biases and stigma to ensure equitable service delivery.

Mentorship and Advocacy:

• Implement post-training mentorship (online or in-person) for local facilitators and participants to ensure the retention of sharpened clinical skills.
• Equip providers with the tools to advocate for LARCs within their clinics and broader communities to increase uptake.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Assess the clinical efficiency of participants pre- and post-training.
• Review the previous training implementation in Grenada to identify and bridge any remaining skill gaps.

Required Qualifications and Experience

The ideal Consultant will need to meet the following requirements:

• EDUCATION:
• Advanced degree in Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, or a related field with specialization in sexual and reproductive health, family planning, or a related discipline.
• Relevant certifications in LARC provision or family planning counselling are desirable
• EXPERIENCE:
• Five (5) or more years working experience in the field of reproductive health, preferably in the UN system or NGO.
• Extensive experience in sexual and reproductive health, with a strong focus on family planning and contraceptive technologies, particularly Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs).
• Proven track record in designing and delivering training programs for healthcare providers, specifically in the areas of LARC insertion, removal, and management.
• Experience in developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness and ensure continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including government health authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community organizations.
• LANGUAGE:
• The candidate must have good command of the English language.
• COMPETENCIES:
• In-depth knowledge of LARC methods, including their clinical application, benefits, risks, and counselling approaches.
• Strong skills in training, capacity building, and facilitation, with the ability to adapt training content to different audiences and contexts.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly and effectively

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.   

Note: 

• There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. 
• UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
• UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life.  We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.