Consultant - provide technical advice to PHC Unit in Engaging the Private Health Sector for advancing Universal Health Coverage

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

.

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical advice to PHC Unit in Engaging the Private Health Sector (PHS) for advancing Universal Health Coverage in Selected Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, through:

• Technical cooperation to enhance the implementation through “WHO EMRO Position Paper on Engaging the Private Health Sector to Advance Universal Health Coverage and Health Security in the Eastern Mediterranean Region”.
• Experience sharing and capacity building on “Strategies to Improve Private Sector Engagement for Universal Health Coverage”.
• Evidence generation and analytical work on options for improving private health sector engagement for improved service delivery.

2. Background

In most countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region [EMR], the private sector is a dominant outpatient health services provider, yet its role is not fully understood. It is poorly regulated and existing partnerships between public and private sectors are not adequately organized. In addition, the private health sector has grown with minimal policy direction and is hardly part of governments’ health sector planning processes. The huge and ever-growing private sector in the region, remains an untapped resource in the context of UHC.

With the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 to health systems around the globe, the cooperation of all health actors has become inevitable as the public health sector is becoming overly stretched. It has now become clearer than ever that without involving the PHS under a mutually agreed national policy framework and developing effective partnerships, UHC and health security would remain a dream in many countries.

In October 2018, at the Sixty-fifth Session of the Regional Committee, EMR Members States endorsed the “framework for action on effective engagement with the private health sector to expand service coverage for universal health coverage”. In addition, the Regional Committee adopted Resolution EM/RC65/R.3(D) for Agenda item 4 (e) urging Members States to “Contracting with private health sector providers through strategic purchasing options and different financial protection arrangements to deliver a UHC priority benefits package”. The Resolutions requested WHO Regional Director to “Provide technical support to Member States to establish and strengthen effective engagement with the private sector for service delivery”.

Between 2018-2020, The regional office has supported seventeen countries in the Region in conducting in-depth assessment of the private health sector in terms of governance, access, financing, quality control and public-private partnerships (PPP).

Moreover, during 2020/2021, WHO/EMRO conducted a review/analysis of the role of the private health sector in COVID-19 response in addition to its contribution to the provision of essential health services as; immunization, child and maternal health; emergency care systems; non-communicable diseases; communicable diseases, nutrition; mental health and dental services. The results will help Member States to identify gaps and priorities for engagement with the private health sector in maintaining essential health services.

Planned timelines : contract for 12 months

Start date: 1 October 2021

End date: 30 September 2022

3. Work to be performed

To achieve the above objectives, the consultant will be contracted with the following deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Develop a comprehensive advocacy campaign in RC2021 to policy makers with the objective of catalyzing private sector engagement in coordination with the Department of Communications, Resource Mobilization and Partnerships.

Deliverable 2: Write three regional summary reports on the role of the private health sector in COVID response, the role of the private health sector in the provision of essential health services and a general assessment of the private health sector in the EMR. The summary reports are to be based on the individual country/thematic reports conducted in the period between 2018-2021.

Deliverable 3: Provide technical support to WCOs in Syria and Somalia by reviewing country report based on the assessment tools for conducting an in-depth assessment of private health sector

Deliverable 4: Overlook and support (the process of publication of all the produced assessment reports that were conducted between 2018-2021 through consolidating, reviewing and editing these reports.

Deliverable 5: Prepare/write three manuscripts corresponding to each of the regional summary reports (deliverable 2) and arrange for their external publications in alignment with e-pub requirements.

Deliverable 6: Draft two policy briefs on private health sector engagement in the EMR

Deliverable 7: Support WHO/HQ in the development of an online training to policymakers on private sector engagement and arrange for the regional launch in collaboration with the Department of Communications, Resource Mobilization and Partnerships.

Deliverable 8: Organize two policy dialogue workshops in Sudan and Pakistan on the effective engagement with the private health sector in service delivery.

Deliverable 9: Develop a regional compendium of good practice examples/case studies on private sector engagement in collaboration with the technical departments and regional WCOs

Deliverable 10: Arrange for an inter-country meeting that involves the selected member states to share the key findings from the regional assessments and set the regional priorities/action plan to push private sector engagement agenda in the region.

Deliverable 11:Prepare two journal articles for publication on the role of the private health sector in the management of NCDs in the region and in service provision in countries experiencing protracted emergencies in collaboration with the relevant technical units

Deliverable 12: Prepare/Draft document on WHO/EMRO Position on Engaging with the Private Health Sector to Advance Universal Health Coverage and Health Security. The position paper/document is envisaged to be EMRO’s guidance document in terms of future activities and priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Education: University degree in Health Sciences
• Desirable, Master’s degree in Public health

Experience****:

At least 3-year experience in public health/ health research/ private sector engagement in service delivery.

Skills/ Technical knowledge

• Very good knowledge of health systems, stakeholder analysis and service delivery.
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Good communication skills

Language

Fluent (Read - Write - Speak) in English and Arabic.

Location:

The consultant will work in WHO EMRO

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

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.) All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance. Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Additional Information section

• 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.
• Remuneration is in line with WHO consultant established rates
• Successful candidates will be included in the roster for consideration for future contractual engagement via a consultancy, as they become available. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relationship with WHO
• 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• 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.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that: (a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated; (b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided; (c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.