Consultant - Policy and Integration Specialist (SNIP2)

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1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The World Health Organization – Office of the Representative to the Philippines as part of the Sub-National Initiative – Health Systems Strengthening. She/He is under the strategic guidance and supervision of the HSS Technical Team Leader, and direct technical guidance and supervision of the Technical Officer for RMNCAHN-G.

2. Background

In partnership with the Department of Health Central Office, and DOH Center for Health Development, Regions Caraga, Davao, and Western Visayas, and with funding support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the World Health Organization Philippines (WHO/PHL) is implementing the Subnational Initiative Project (SNIP), Phase 2. The project aims to improve health systems for better maternal and child health outcomes which situate WHO/PHL in a technical advisory and catalytic role among key stakeholders and the communities. Similar to SNIP Phase 1, SNIP Phase 2 will have three key systems approaches namely: i. Making MNH a priority for Local Government Units (LGUs); ii. Making sure MNH services can deliver; and iii. Stimulating MNH uptake in communities.

The project is currently being implemented province-wide in a total of 8 provinces, 6 in the Davao Region, and 1 each for Western Visayas and Caraga Regions. With the expansion of coverage of the SNI program and health systems-related activities, there is a need for close and continuous integration of activities within the different initiatives of local partners and stakeholders. There is also a need to integrate and align the priorities of the project with that the goals of the Department of Health, especially with the newly developed omnibus health guidelines (OHG), and on a larger scale, with the universal health care law. Further, there is a need to review and analyze policies being developed by the project and align with the UHC, OHG, Health Sector Strategy 2023-2028, and other DOH policies, for possible integration or complementation.

To ensure the above integration and alignment, and for project sustainability, having policy support, and a smooth project lifetime, there is a need for a human resource to assist the Health Systems Strengthening Team, and the RMNCAHN_G Technical Officer in coordinating this integration with the Department of Health Central Office and its attached agencies, as well as with the relevant UN Agencies and other development agencies. The STC is expected to ensure that project activities are conducted accordingly, and other similar related activities, are integrated with the DOH strategies; he/she is expected to constantly work with DOH and relevant National Government Agencies and the Academe, making sure the project is moving according to its purpose/s. The human resource shall liaise with the Department of Health and its attached agencies, and as needed, with the relevant Academe and Research Institutions, with relevant UN Agencies, and other development agencies, and prepare necessary documents for the project.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 15 July 2023

End date: 14 June 2024

4. Work to be performed

Method(s) to carry out the activity

Output 1. Overall coordination for integration of SNI phase 2 project activities at the national level, directly liaising with DOH.

Deliverable 1.1 Developed monthly work plan based on the SNI P2 project document

Deliverable 1.2 Developed and submitted doable strategies to ensure successful integration and sustained strong collaboration directly with the relevant National Government Units and as needed with the Academe and Research Institutions, in implementing the WHO strategies and activities under the Subnational Initiative Phase II

Output 2. Ensure ongoing liaison between the WHO Philippine Country Office SNI Phase 2 team, relevant sections/units of the Department of Health and its attached agencies, and relevant development partners, NGOs, CSOs, and INGOs with similar work or projects for an integrated implementation of SNI Phase 2 activities in line with national, and LGU priorities, ensuring alignment to the Philippines UHC Law

Deliverable 2.1 Facilitates coordination and collaboration on SNI Phase 2 -related activities between and within the WHO Country Office and with and between different units of DOH.

Deliverable 2.2 Reports feedback on project status, progress, and necessary recommendations for project adjustments as needed to the WHO Philippine Country Office Deliverable 2.3 Develop progress reports aligned with project objectives

Output 3. Provided overall guidance to the alignment, complementation, and integration of the project activities to DOH-DPCB’s Omnibus Health Guidelines (OHG), and the overall DOH-UHC, to the SNI Phase II project site coordinators and other related project staff

Deliverable 3.1 Provides technical advice to project site staff on the operational implementation of the SNI Phase 2

Deliverable 3.2 Provides orientation and technical guidance to the operationalization of the OHG, about the project activities, strategies, and outputs.

Deliverable 3.3 Attend project-related meetings and facilitate specific project activities at the national level, providing technical advice or inputs as necessary

5. Specific requirements

- Education and Certifications

Essential: Doctor of Medicine graduate Desirable: Master’s Degree relevant to the job

- Work Experience

· Should have at least 5 -10 years of experience in health program and/or project management

· Previous work in RMNCAH field, either with the government or with a non-government entity

· Previous experience working at the national level at a wider scale (Involving not a single, but multiple programmes, especially on Coordination, Health Policy, Governance,Health Systems, and Strategic Information,)

· Prior experience with good performance, and with established good working relations with government entities, especially with the Department of Health, at the national level, and with WHO.

· Familiarity with the local health care delivery system in the Philippines particularly the roles and functions of National agencies in policy and planning

· Has knowledge and experience of work with the UN system and procedures

· Able to conduct discussions with UN agencies, government institutions, the Academe, CSOs, NGOs, INGOs, and LGUs.

- Technical Skills and Knowledge:

· Excellent organizational, communication, writing, and interpersonal skills.

· Knowledge and skills, and previous engagements in maternal and child health, and on family planning and other reproductive health is necessary

· Has excellent coordination and negotiation skills

· Excellent project management and coordination skills.

· Proficient in basic ICT systems and applications

- Language Fluency:

· Expert in both written and spoken English, knowledge of the Korean and Filipino languages is an added advantage

6. Competencies

· Communication

· Teamwork

· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

· Producing results

· Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.

7. Place of assignment

Manila, Philippines

8. Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

9. Travel

Consultant may travel as 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 an 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.
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• 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 apply to the Consultant 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 the 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.
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