Service Provider for Partnership Management, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) function in support of ‘Improving Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health’ (IRMNH) programme in Sierra Leone

The Partnership Management, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) programme coordinated UNFPA, UNICEF and Marie Stopes Sierra Leone (MSSL) efforts under the Improving Reproductive, Maternal and Neonatal Health (IRMNH) programme. The IRMNH programme aimed to increase utilisation of quality family planning, reproductive, maternal and newborn health services with a focus on young people in Sierra Leone. This programme started in March 2012 and received a one year extension in March 2016 in order to mitigate gaps in service delivery and to rebuild the health system following the Ebola epidemic. Options Consultancy Services performed the PMEL function from August 2013, with the mandate to provide overall IRMNH programme partner coordination and a consolidated approach to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and reporting; thus avoiding duplication of efforts by implementing partners. PMEL created and disseminated new evidence regarding sexual and reproductive health care, especially amongst adolescents and young people; the programme also provided technical assistance to MoHS, including the Directorates of Planning, Policy and Information, of Reproductive and Child Health, of Primary Health Care, and to the District Health Management Teams (DHMTs). Targeted technical assistance was provided to MoHS in monitoring the IRMNH programme through strengthening of HMIS.