SRHR BARRIERS SURVEY 2019 + 2020
Client: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands (contracted through MDF)
Main project features: development and conduct of Satisfaction Survey (2019 and 2020) among partners of the Ministry regarding SRHR barriers for discriminated and vulnerable groups in the programme countries. Each year during programme implementation partners were asked to assess current SRHR situation and their contribution to the changes made.
Surveys were conducted in November - December 2019 and 2020.
University of Maastricht (since 2006; Erasmus project since 2019)
Since 2006 working as a tutor for the Masters Programme in Global Health, Department of Health Ethics and Society at the Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences.
from January 2019 employed as parttime programme manager and consultant global health and education for the Erasmus+ Project: ‘Transformative Competency Based PH education for professional employability in Bangladesh’s health sector’.
Project partners in Bangladesh are: the BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health BRACSPH (main partner), the Asian University for Women (AUW) and the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) at the Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB).
Parttime policy advisor NVTG (since 2003)
Esther Jurgens is parttime employed as a policy advisor for the Netherlands Society for Tropical Medicine and International Health (NVTG). www.nvtg.org, and part of the editorial board of MTb, the Bulletin of the NVTG.
The NVTG is a member of the Federation of European Societies for Tropical Medicine and International Health (FESTMIH). In 2018 the 11th European Congress on Tropical Medine and International Health (ECTMIH) will be held in Liverpool (16-20 September).
Selection of projects: Into the World; Dutch Global Health Film Festival (2017, 2018, 2019 edition in preparation).
Mid-Term Evaluation of the Ignite Project (2018)
Location: DRC (replaced in 2017 with Cote d’Ivoire), Haiti, Mozambique, Kenya and India.
Client: Population Services International
Main project features: Mid-Term Evaluation of the Ignite Project, project funded by MinBuZA (Netherlands MFA) in the context of Strategic Partnership in SRHR: 2016 – 2020. Countries: DRC (replaced in 2017 with Cote d’Ivoire), Haiti, Mozambique, Kenya and India.
Activities: document review, analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, key informant interviews, country visits to Mozambique and India.
Read more on the project on the Ignite site.
Review of GIZ support for Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Southern Africa (2017 /2018)
Location: South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia
Client: German Development Cooperation / Deutsche Gezellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeid (GIZ), contracted through m4h (International health professionals).
Main project features: review of GIZ support for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in 4 Eastern Southern Africa cluster countries and development of alternative roll-out strategies.
Strategic Review of Hivos HIV and Human Rights programmes 2007 – 2017 (2017/2018)
Client: Hivos
Main project features: Hivos started its work in fighting HIV and AIDS in the early 1990s. Since then the organization has accumulated valuable expertise and a considerable portfolio of HIV and human rights programmes.The strategic review of HIV Human Rights programmes 2007 – 2017 was set up with a twofold aim of taking stock and looking forward.
The review took place between October 2017 and February 2018. Its objective was to assess the programmes’ achievements and unexpected outcomes, and the added value of Hivos’ profile as a broad development organisation. Experiences, expectations and challenges of working with the Global Fund were included. The report concludes with recommendations and critical issues in the WHY, WHAT AND HOW in HIV and HR programming.
Policy review of support of the NL Ministry of Foreign Affairs to UNFPA and UNAIDS (2016/2017)
Client: Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs / IOB evaluations department
Main features: review of support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to UNFPA and UNAIDS in the context of SRHR (one of the four thematic priorities of the Netherlands MFA).
Activities: review of external evaluations, field visits to HQ, interviews with key informants. Report available here.
Evaluation of the Universal Access to the Female Condom Programme (2011 and 2015)
The Universal Access to Female Condom (UAFC) Joint Programme was an initiative of four Dutch organisations: the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oxfam Novib, i+solutions and Rutgers WPF. The aim of the programme (phase 1: 2008-2011 and phase 2: 2011 - 2015) was to make female condoms accessible, affordable and available for all, thereby contributing to a decrease in new infections with HIV and STIs and of unwanted pregnancies, as well as to enable women to exercise power over their own sexual and reproductive health. Esther Jurgens formed part of the Evaluation team (contracted through ACE Europe) conducting the UAFC Mid-Term and End of Term Evaluation.
The final report of the first phase (20110 was presented at the International Conference on Female Condoms in The Hague, The Netherlands. Reports available upon request.
Portfolio assessment of SRHR Programme of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh (2015)
Location: Bangladesh
Client: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh
Main project features: Assessment of the SRHR Portfolio (8 projects and 2 programmes) according to the Dutch Cooperation Development policy, particularly the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights, the Embassy’s multi annual strategic plan, among others; describe the Theory of Change; and give advice on the follow up of two projects and EKN’s support to the health sector development programme.
Activities: Desk review, field visits to projects, interviews and meetings with key stakeholders, workshop with project partners, presentation of preliminary results to the embassy and reporting.
Country studies Kenya, Uganda, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal (2013/2014)
Location: Kenya and Uganda. Desk review: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal
Client: Danish Family Family Planning Association (DFPA)
Main project features: Countries studies in Kenya and Uganda to provide input for the development of an integrated approach and the elaboration of strategic plans 2014 – 2017; present the wider context for SRHR, providing the framework for civil society work, focusing specifically on interlinkages with sustainable development (Kenya) and comprehensive sexuality education( (Uganda); and future outlook (South Asian countries).
Activities: Field visits (Kenya and Uganda), desk review, analysis and reporting
Support to the MenCare+ Programme (2013)
Location: NL (focus countries: Brazil, Rwanda, South-Africa, Indonesia)
Client: Rutgers
Main project features: Support to programme development and the inception workshop of the multi-county Men-Care Programme, interim programme management
Activities: Proposal development and interim programme management
The support of the SRHR fund of the NL MFA (8.6 million euro) enabled Rutgers WPF and Promundo to work on male involvement in sexual and reproductive health. Learn more about the approach and the programme.
Qualitative study into the Adolescent Girls Initiative in South Sudan (2013)
Location: South Sudan
Client: The World Bank
Main project features: Team leader for the evaluation of the pilot project regarding social and financial empowerment of adolescent girls/young women, within the context of the World Bank's Adolescent Girls Initiative (AGI).
Activities: Desk review, development of research protocol, data collection (FGDs and key informant interviews), analysis and reporting.
The report is available here.
Evalution of Finnish MFA support to the Nicaraguan Health Sector (2013)
Location: Nicaragua
Client: The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Main project features: Evaluation of three health sector programmes (FONSALUD, FED, VOZJOVEN). Position held: Consultant (international team member) contracted by FCG International, a Finnish consultancy group.
Activities: Conduct of end of programmes evaluation (my focus was on the Gender Equity and SRHR Fund - FED)
Impact study in sexual and reproductive health and rights in Nicaragua (2012)
In 2010 and 2011, the Policy and Operations Evaluation Department of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (IOB) carried out a series of impact evaluations in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
The studies aimed at identifying the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the Dutch contribution in Nicaragua, Mali, Bangladesh, Ghana and Tanzania. I formed part of the research team in Nicaragua during both phases of the study. Subject of the evaluation: the programme to prevent cervical cancer, implemented by NGO Ixchen and the Ministry of Health - a programme financially supported by the Dutch Embassy in Nicaragua.
Read more in the IOB report 'Turning a right into practice. Impact evaluation of the Ixchen Centre for Women cervical cancer programme in Nicaragua (2005-2009)'.
Synthesis of multilateral support to SRHR (2011)
Location: The Netherlands
Client: The Policy and Operations Evaluation Department of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (IOB)
Main project features: Review of support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to UNICEF, UNFPA, GFATM, UNAIDS and WHO in the area of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Activities: Collecting and analysing external evaluations of the 5 organizations, report writing, preparation of publication.
Synthesis of Impact Evaluations in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (2009)
Client: The Policy and Operations Evaluation Department of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (IOB).
Main project features: Preparation of a synthesis of impact studies in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The overview presents effective interventions and how they contributed to furthering the sexual and reproductive health and rights agenda in developing countries, supported by evidence.
Improving Midwifery Care in Georgia (2008 - 2011)
In June 2011 the three year project to enhance midwifery knowlegde and skills in Georgia was concluded with an end of project conference. The project successfully supported the establishment of a Midwifery Association and the institutionalisation of a Midwifery Curriculum at the Tblisi State Medical University, under the TSMU Professional Educational Programme.
The project 'Enhancing Quality of Care: Upgrading the Knowlegde and Skills of Midwives in Georgia' was funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Matra Programme) and implemented by the Georgian Youth and Women's health organisation (HERA XXI) and the Tiblisi State Medical University.
Esther Jurgens provided technical assistance and project coordination, contracted by ETC Crystal.
In 2010/11 an operational study in the area of perinatal health was conducted by MAG and GOGA with technical support from ETC Crystal (Leon Bijlmakers and Esther Jurgens). The report 'Clients' and Providers' Perspectives on Ceasarean Sections: an operational study into the high Ceasarean Section Rate in Georgia', is available in English and Georgian.
Evaluation of the HIV/AIDS Programme implemented by Hivos in the period 2000-2009
In January 2011 the final report of an evaluation of the HIV/AIDS programme implemented by Hivos in the period 2000-2009 was presented to Hivos. Aim of the evaluation was to provide evidence for the effectiveness and sustainability of the Hivos HIV/AIDS programme in South America and India (accountability focus) and to serve as input for the Hivos' 2010 HIV/AIDS policy, i.e. to inspire future development and implementation (learning focus).
The evaluation was conducted by a team of 5 international and national consultants in the period March - October 2010, including Esther Jurgens; ACE Europe was the main contractor and responsible for the coordination of the evaluation.
Support to the AMREF Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme
Location: Ethiopia, Netherlands
Client: AMREF Netherlands
Main project features: Development of ASRH programme
Activities: Support to proposal development; support to the programme department (on a consultancy basis for short-term assignments).
Other assignments (2007-2011)
For: Rutgers. Evaluation of the Save Women's Lives Project. Main project features: Conduct evaluation of the multi-year, multi-country (Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Malta) project, an European campaign to increase public awareness on the importance of improving Maternal health and to urge politicians to meet MDG5. Activities: Preparation of questionnaires, conduct of survey, data collection, analysis and final report.
For: AMREF NL. Several assignments including: Preparation of position paper on capacity building; Preparation of project proposal for EU; Contribution to the Annual Report; Preparation of a funding proposal for PSO.
For: Wemos. Preparation of a series of briefing papers on human resources for health. The paper Health workers on the Move presents several actions to address the HRH crisis, which are divided into actions THERE, namely in developing countries with shortages of health workers, and actions HERE, in Western countries to address the global shortage of health workers. The paper Human Resources for Health proposes opportunities to increase access to health through consorted strategies to be adopted by the Dutch Government, members of parliament and civil society to combat the world-wide shortages of health workers.
For: Maastricht University. Lecturer health policy within the Master Public Health Programme.
For: Zorgcentrum Napoleon (NL). Technical advice in the context of a business plan for a psychogeriatric care institution.
Assignments (2005-2007)
During the period 2005 - 2007 Esther Jurgens provided consultancy services as consultant with ETC-Crystal. A selection of assignments:
For: IOB / Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Evaluation of (inter)national NGOs working in area of sexual and reproductive health and rights, funded through Thematic Co-financing Programme, period 2004-2006.
For: CARE Tajikistan
Sexual and Reproductive Health Advisor to the CARE project ‘Improving sexual and reproductive health situation of youth in Tajikistan’.
For: Wemos
Part of team preparing the design of impact study in the area of global initiatives on human resources for health.
For: Oxfam Novib
Assessment of the use of power analysis for hiv/aids programming and development of tool to incorporate a power approach to planning and programming for hiv/aids.
For: Stichting Vluchteling
Participation in institutional strengthening process.
For: Federal Ministry of Health Ethiopia, Central Joint Steering Committee
Participation in the evaluation of the second phase of the Health Sector Development Programme (2002/2005), specific focus on management and finance.
For: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Part of research team conducting a literature study on health care financing & co-author of position paper (summary report): ‘The Role of User Fees and Health Insurance in Health Care Financing’.
For: Share-Net
Report of expert meeting and panel discussion on reaching MDG related to SRHR and HIV/AIDS (2005): '5 years down - 10 to go. Report what is required for the Millennium Development Goals to combat HIV/AIDS, and to generate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights' (report).
