Consultant - CONNECT Initiative, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Purpose of consultancy

Technical support to CONNECT M&E and institutionalization into national action plan, and the promotion of the CONNECT approach to a wider audience.

Background

In response to a request of MoH, Lao PDR, WHO is supporting practical and context-based community engagement and local governance strengthening through CONNECT Initiative. The initiative aims health equity through building trusting relationship between the community and health system to increase uptake of essential health services as well as identify and tackle local social determinants of health (SDH).

Evaluations of CONNECT initiative have been conducted from village to policy level. From the results of the evaluations, the CONNECT initiative will take identified priority actions into the design and operation of the initiative for further community engagement to amplify its potential to promote health equity and address SDH.

Deliverables

The consultant will collaborate with WHO Lao PDR Country Office to:

• Prepare and conduct workshops to translate evaluation findings into actionable recommendations for the design and operation of the CONNECT initiative
• Contribute to development of CONNECT´s M&E framework and the national action plan on community engagement for health
• Develop a script to promote SDH approaches of CONNECT initiative
• Analyze evaluation findings of CONNECT initiative
• Writing reports and a publication

Output 1: Conduct workshops with the CONNECT team and key stakeholders of the initiative to determine M&E needs and opportunities to enhance health equity data and to develop a strategic action plan towards strengthening community engagement for health. Deliverable 1: A final M&E framework and the operational guide and tools for M&E of CONNECT for improved regular monitoring; and a final strategic action plan on community engagement for health. Both the M&E framework and the strategic action plan* should reflect all comments from the government and relevant stakeholders.

*The exact title of the action plan will be decided through the discussions with the government.

Output 2: Conduct a workshop with the CONNECT community engagement team to analyse access to SDH stories, pre-select SDH criteria to be covered in an advocacy video, as well as diversity criteria (localities, ethnicities, representation of different groups with heightened vulnerability to health inequity) Deliverable 2: A final script, reflecting all comments from the government and relevant stakeholders, for an advocacy video on SDH identified and addressed under the CONNECT initiative.

Output 3: Cross-analysing the evaluation findings of village surveys for equity dimensions. Deliverable 3: A report on local realities of health inequity and the (preliminary and potential) effects of CONNECT activities on access to healthcare services for different population groups.

Output 4: Exchange with WHO team to identify priority findings for a publication related to the evaluation of CONNECT activities. Deliverable 4: An academic paper ready for submission for publication.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Advanced university degree in Public Health, Political or Social Science, or in a related field.

Experience

Essential: Minimum seven years' experience in collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and evidence, summarizing results into a report in the area of equity and inclusion. Experience of having worked in multidisciplinary settings in Lao PDR. Desirable: Field work experiences and equity-related analysis in rural settings in Laos. Experience working with UN, Lao Government, and community organizations.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Ability to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data and evidence;
• Ability to analyse and describe findings and summarize results in written reports and presentations;
• Ability to work independently and deliver high quality work on time;
• Computer proficiency in Outlook, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• Proactive approaches to delivering tasks;
• Demonstrated high level of professionalism and ethics;
• Able to work with minimal supervision;
• Excellent planning and organizational skills;
• Able to work effectively with international aid agencies, UN, and government entities.
• Can work in a culturally diverse environment.

Languages and level required:

Essential: Working proficiency in English

Location

Off site: The consultant will undertake the work in Lao PDR or remotely, and is expected to regularly communicate with national WHO team (by video conference/teleconference or in person if permitting) .

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget:

Remuneration: Band level B, USD 450- 495/day Expected duration of contract : 10 months, 1 March to 31 December 2024 (part-time)

Additional Information :

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