Consultant- to provide technical advice for implementing the “Universal Health Coverage Package for priority services” (UHC Package). Band level B (higher end of range)

Contract

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

Purpose of the Consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical advice for implementing the “Universal Health Coverage Package for priority services” (UHC-Package), while ensuring the continuity of Essential Health Services (EHS) at the end stage and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

The 2018 Salalah Declaration on UHC in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) recognised defining "Universal Health Coverage Package for priority services” (UHC-Package)" under a national health agenda as the basis for formulating a country's vision to advance UHC and devising a roadmap for its realisation. Designing and implementing a UHC-Package allows governments to focus their financial, technical and managerial support on prioritised programs, services and interventions with maximum impact on health and well-being – the third goal of the Sustainable Development Agenda (SDG3). Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic forced countries to pay attention to particular needs, which cornered many priority services and caused excess morbidity and mortality. The question now has become which services should be prioritized and kept among all those that have an impact.

There are two simultaneous workstreams on board at the moment. First, UHC-Priority Benefits Package must be moved by incorporating lessons learned from the pandemic to achieve UHC. Second, WHO EMRO should support countries in maintaining EHS as a response to COVID-19 pandemic being a part of emergency response.

For the first workstream, a document on “Development of packages for priority services for Universal Health Coverage (UHC-Package), Key considerations” has been drafted in 2021-2022. The document is planned to be published by December 2022. The second workstream is the implementation of Pillar 9: Essential Health Services of the strategic preparedness and response plan (SPRP).

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the implementation of service packages as follows: 1) the strategic work of the UHC-PBP in EMR to achieve UHC through country translation of DCP3; and 2) the response to COVID-19 through working on both regional and national levels to maintain Essential Health Services.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation) total of 12 months:

Start date: 25 September 2022

End date: 25 September 2023

Work to be performed

1. Coordinate with various stakeholders (national authorities and WCOs on one side and the DCP3 team on the other side) to build consensus for the country to develop country UHC-PBP.
2. Technically contribute to the work of the EHS pillar 9, including monitoring the progress of the pillar's Regional COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) and pillar's workplan.
3. Manage to access integrated quality Essential Health Services and systems in EMR amid COVID-19 implementation and beyond in four countries.
4. Analyse the pulse survey on continuity of Essential Health Services during the COVID-19 pandemic in EMR.

Deliverables

1. Support the development and publishing of regional guidance for developing the Universal Health Coverage Priority Benefits Packages (UHC-PBP).
2. Develop and upscale an online training course for the UHC-PBP.
3. Develop a generic regional list of Essential Health Services to be used by countries.
4. Develop a multi-criteria decision matrix and other tools as needed for prioritising UHC-PBP interventions and piloting it in the Models of Care countries.
5. Continue the expansion of the Frontline Service Readiness Assessment (FSRA) in EMR member States.
6. Support evidence-informed policy decisions based on the FSRA in EMR countries.
7. Submit a Progress report of the EHS pillar and its achievement of the SPRP.
8. Submit a report on the situation analysis of maintaining EHS in four EMR countries.

Specific requirements

• Qualifications required:
  • Advanced university degree in public health

• Experience required:

  • At least 7 years' experience in public health and service delivery innovations.

• Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Excellent knowledge of health systems, stakeholder analysis, and service delivery. Familiarity with the WHO system

• Language requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of Arabic and French are assets

Place of assignment

The consultant will work at WHO EMRO, with travel in the EMR, as needed.

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.
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• 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.