Consultant-CONNECT Equity, WCO LAO

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1. Purpose of the consultancy

The consultant will work closely with the two ministries to assess and continuously improve the CONNECT initiative from the equity and inclusion perspective while implement the plan for 2023-24 under the CONNECT initiative.

2. Background

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and Ministry of Health (MoH) have developed the CONNECT Initiative (Community Network engagement for Essential healthcare and COVID-19 Reponses) and signed an MOU for ongoing collaboration with the support of WHO. Together, they have conducted workshops in selected provinces, districts and villages to strengthen local governance and community engagement to strengthen Primary Health Care, and to enhance COVID-19 responses including vaccination. The two ministries have aim to roll out CONNECT to the whole country during 2023-24, and have requested WHO to further support the rollout of the activities for strengthening Primary Health Care, aiming for increased uptake of essential health services and strengthening community-based COVID-19 responses.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Estimated start date: 24 April 2023.

Duration: 5 months and 3 weeks (working 5 days per week)

4. Work to be performed

   Output 1: Strengthening multi-sector coordination between Ministry of Health and Ministry of

HomeAffairs on strengthening local governance and community engagement for primary health through rolling out CONNECT Initiative.

• Deliverable 1.1: Technical report 1 on the rollout of CONNECT Initiative with equity and inclusion perspective
• Deliverable 1.2: Technical report 2 on establishment of supportive supervision with equity and inclusion perspective
• Deliverable 1.3: Technical report 3 on involvement of CONNECT implementation including progress on partners’ involvement with equity and inclusion perspective
• Deliverable 1.4: Technical report 4 on interim outcomes of CONNECT with equity and inclusion perspective

Methods to carry out the activities

Under the supervision of the Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health Team Leader, the consultant will assist MoH and MoHA on implementation of CONNECT initiative:

• Contribute to strategic planning of CONNECT initiative with equity and inclusion lens by engaging the relevant ministries
• Conduct field visits to project sites for the provision of hands-on support and quality assurance
• Facilitate administrative and logistics support to the relevant ministries
• Organization and documentation of workshops and meetings; including taking meeting notes, and track, and follow up on action points, deadlines and deliverables
• Contribute to the identification of programmatic challenges in implementing programmes and appropriate recommendations
• Support with the implementation of ad hoc projects and activities

5. Specific requirement

   QUALIFICATIONS

Required: University in Political Science, Public Administration, Health, Business Administration, and/or relevant field is required;

Desirable:

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• At least 5 years of experience working on community engagement and / or local governance
• Significant experience collaborating with the Lao government, international organizations, and community leaders;

Desirable:

• Experience of working with MoHA is highly appreciated

  TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Strong communication, strategic thinking, public relations and advisory skills;

• Networking capability, interpersonal skills, and strong ability to promote teamwork;
• Ability to take initiative to move complex processes forward to achieve results;
• Capable to work harmoniously as a member of a team;
• Adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds;

• High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct;

  LANGUAGES

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Lao is essential

  6. Competencies

• Technical expertise

• Overall attitude at work
• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication

7. Place of assignment

The consultant will undertake the work in WCO Lao PDR, Vientiane

8. Medical Certificate (Consultants only)

   Selected consultants must provide WHO fitness for work form from their physician.

9. Travel

   Domestic travels are required.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.