Consultant - KHM Leprosy Elimination Pillar 4 Policy

1. Purpose of the consultancy

To undertake 1) a comprehensive review of the laws and policies, as well as their implementation, within and beyond the health sector at the national, sub-national and local level that support health equity and enable the elimination of stigma and discrimination related to leprosy and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Cambodia; 2) primary data collection at the community level with key stakeholders to understand experiences of stigma and discrimination, relationship with health services, and trust in local governance structures; and 3) the development of a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework for Pillar 4 of the National Leprosy Elimination Roadmap and Action Plan 2022-2030. These activities will support accelerating Cambodia’s NTD control and elimination efforts and help operationalize Pillar 4 of the National Leprosy Elimination Roadmap and Action Plan 2022-2030.

2. Background

The Western Pacific Region has adopted a “whole of society” approach to health system strengthening in Member States, including civil society and communities as equal partners. Policies and legal frameworks within and beyond the health sector influence the social determinants of health, the conditions in which people grow up, learn, live, work and age, and inform how communities engage with health systems. Individuals’ experiences of the policy and legal landscape in a country can vary and contribute to poor quality housing or education, experiences of stigma, fewer employment opportunities or less access to healthcare, all of which impact health outcomes and health equity.

Cambodia’s National Leprosy Elimination Roadmap and Action Plan 2022-2030 includes a target of zero stigma and discrimination through ensuring human rights, community engagement approaches, and a gender-responsive lens. The WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) is working with Cambodia’s WHO Country Office (WCO) to support the National Leprosy Elimination Program implement practical and context-based community engagement approaches to eliminate stigma and discrimination of those affected by leprosy. The contractor will develop a baseline assessment of the enabling environment and experiences of stigma and discrimination upon which to measure actions outlined in Pillar 4. Although experiences of stigma and discrimination of those affected by leprosy will be the focus, the analysis will also explore stigma related to other NTDs.

The contractor will conduct a scoping review of laws and policies within and beyond the health sector at the national, sub-national and local level that support health equity and the elimination of stigma and discrimination in Cambodia. They will conduct primary data collection on stigma and discrimination, with a focus on the diverse and representative experiences of those who have been affected by leprosy and key partners and community leaders, and provide a gender, equity, and human rights-based analysis. This analysis will contribute to the development of a baseline assessment of the situation of stigma and discrimination as it relates to leprosy in Cambodia and will be the foundation upon which the MEL framework for Pillar 4 will be designed by the contractor.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Estimated start date: 15 August 2023 End date : 29 December 2023

Duration: 6 months

4. Work to be performed

By working closely with the WCO and WPRO technical units, the consultant will be responsible for providing high-quality technical support to MOH and other partners, to achieve the following outputs:

Output 1: Landscape analysis report of health laws and policies and other laws and policies at the national, sub-national and local level that support health equity and the elimination of stigma and discrimination of those affected by leprosy in Cambodia.

Deliverable 1.1 Work plan and proposal development including detailed budget and timelines in line with WPRO ERC SOP 2011. Submissions for ethical approval in Cambodia and WPRO ERC approval.

Deliverable 1.2 Desktop review, data analysis, and progress report, including draft scoping and summary of relevant laws and policies that target the equity issues and barriers.

Deliverable 1.3 Final landscape analysis, including mapping of stakeholders involved in supporting evidence-informed policy making including recommendations; National level mapping of existing multisectoral and intersectoral networks; PowerPoint presentation with speaking notes.

Output 2: Baseline assessment of experiences of stigma and discrimination related to leprosy and other NTDs, relationships with health services, and trust in local governance structures.

Deliverable 2.1 Finalize research methodology to support field research, including draft interview guide.

Deliverable 2.2 Final interview guide to conduct key informant interviews with stakeholders, including preliminary findings from key informant interviews with stakeholders and research plan.

Deliverable 2.3 Final baseline assessment, including community level mapping of formal and informal networks, and vulnerability assessments; Recommended community engagement priorities and interventions; PowerPoint presentation with speaking notes.

Output 3: MEL framework for Pillar 4 of the National Leprosy Elimination Roadmap and Action Plan 2022-2030.

Deliverable 3.1 Draft theory of change, logical framework, indicators, data sources, and assessment tools.

Deliverable 3.2 Final MEL framework with plans for midpoint and final reports. Debriefing presentation session with key national and regional stakeholders.

5. Specific requirements QUALIFICATIONS

Required: University degree in medical anthropology, sociology, public health, gender studies, or in a related field.

Desirable: A Master's degree in related field is an asset

EXPERIENCE

Required: At least 5 years’ experience of designing research methods, collecting, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and evidence, including field research and summarizing results into a report. Experience of having worked in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings, preferably within the United Nations System. Proven field work experience is essential.

Desirable: Experience working with UN, Cambodia Government, and community organizations considered an asset.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

· A thorough knowledge of gender, equity, human rights-based analysis, stigma and discrimination, and community engaged research.

· Excellent inter-personal skills with the demonstrated ability to work effectively with government officials as well as with national and international organizations.

· Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and work in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings.

· Strong communication and writing skills with attention to detail

· Persistence in follow-up, tact, and diplomacy in working with diverse stakeholders

· Ability to develop data collection tools and 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.

· Familiarity with health-related stigma and discrimination assessments, frameworks, and tools.

· Computer proficiency in Outlook, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

· Proactive approaches to delivering tasks.

· Demonstrated high level of professionalism and ethics.

· Excellent planning and organizational skills.

LANGUAGES Essential: Written and spoken fluency in English.

Desirable: Proficiency in Khmer.

6. Competencies

· Producing results - Produces and delivers quality results. Is action oriented and committed to achieving outcomes.

· Respecting and promoting cultural differences - Demonstrates the ability to work constructively with people of all backgrounds and orientations. Respects differences and ensures that all can contribute.

· Moving forward in a changing environment - Is open to and proposes new approaches and ideas. Adapts and responds positively to change.

· Knowing and managing yourself - Manages ambiguity and pressure in a self-reflective way. Uses criticism as a development opportunity. Seeks opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.

· Fostering integration and teamwork - Develops and promotes effective relationships with colleagues and team members. Deals constructively with conflicts.

7. Place of assignment

The consultant will undertake the on-site in Cambodia and is expected to regularly communicate with regional and national WHO team and counterparts (by video conference/teleconference or in person if permitting).

8. Medical Certificate Required

9. Travel

Consultant may be required to travel locally to meet with MOH and other stakeholders.

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.

· In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates