Consultant to Support the development of a Priority Benefit Package for the Universal Health Coverage in Jordan

1. Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultation is to develop a Priority Benefit Package for Universal Health coverage in Jordan.

2. Background

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all people have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. It includes the full range of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

The Jordan Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), published by the Department of Statistics in 2017 - estimates that only 71.8% of Jordanians are insured. Among them, significant discrepancies in entitlements are reported across providers, leading to inefficiencies and inequality. Also, the percentage of insured people further drops to 66.9% if non-Jordanians are included in the equation. This is particularly relevant since Jordan hosts around 650,000 registered Syrian refugees (around 1.4 million of unregistered are included) as well as 340,000 registered migrants (many more of unregistered are included).

In this context, the definition and adoption of a Priority Benefit Package (PBP) would standardize the delivery of health services funded by different public providers (e.g. Ministry of Health, Royal Medical Services, University Hospitals, private providers, etc.) with efficiency and equality gains, as well as provide critical evidence for an expansion of the health coverage, which is particularly relevant given Jordan’s recent commitment to achieving comprehensive health insurance by 2030.

In October 2021, WHO was formally requested by His Excellency the Minister of Health to support Jordan’s commitment through the designing of a PBP. A two-phase mapping was performed to identify health interventions in priority regions, compare them to those indicated at the regional level, and identify additional priority interventions that should be included in PBP. By the end of 2021, a scoping mission was established to investigate stakeholders' expectations and determine the required steps to develop and implement the PBP. In March 2022, a census Workshop on PBP development was achieved to agree on the next steps. Political commitments based on technical findings are currently needed to support multi-sector involvement in designing and implementing the PBP in line with Jordan's conditions. A national consultant will be hired to assist the National Multisector Advisor Committee in formalizing the PBP's design and implementation. The consultant will be responsible for providing technical and operational advice on the PBP's architectural shape and essential features (service level and scope, population access, and provider interactions), along with integrated multisectoral opportunities, roles, and responsibilities. This consultancy is a part of the EU-funded “EUTF Health Programme for Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians”.

3. Work to be performed

To reach the objectives, the consultant will:

• Discuss the key work plan with MOH/HIA, MAC, and WHO Country Officer (WCO) and get their approval before starting the mission;
• Organize and facilitate meetings and workshops if required
• Consult with MAC and WCO regularly to verify conformity to previous activities of the PBP development.
• Provide a report(s) after each deliverable to MAC and WCO Jordan.
• Report to the WCO Jordan for any queries and assistance.

Output 1: Provide a detailed work plan during the first 15 days of the mission:

Deliverable 1.1: Provide technical support to enable efficient implementation of the PBP.

Deliverable 1.2: Organize kick-of meeting to discuss the workplan.

Deliverable 1.3: Agreed workplan with the MAC and WCO Jordan.

Output 2: Prepare a technical proposal for PBP's architectural shape and key features.

Deliverable 2.1: Accomplish mapping of priority health interventions.

Deliverable 2.2: Conduct a situation analysis to identify gaps, challenges and bottlenecks for achieving the PBP.

Deliverable 2.3: Prepare a practical and technical guidance to develop the PBP.

Output 3: Engage in a policy dialogue on the PBP’s shape and its implementation:

Deliverable 3.1: Deliberate PBP through evidence of the situation analysis, and a collaborative and consultative process with MAC and other relevant stakeholders.

Deliverable 3.2: Identify PBP shape and selected areas for further analysis and endorse it by the MAC.

Deliverable 3.3: Disseminate results and develop final report.

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

University degree in public health with essential knowledge of health economics and financing.

Desirable: Master’s degree in public health with essential knowledge of health economics and financing.

Experience At least 5 years of combined working experience in health system reforms, policy dialogue, and strategy implementation.

Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:

Experience in working with government departments (especially with the Ministry of Health, Royal Medical Services, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of finance), development agencies, and/or NGOs in health is desirable.

Experience in the field of health financing and policy and strategic development along with:

• • Conduct a situation analysis using WHO’s conceptual and methodological framework on health financing and coverage.
  • Analyze policy documents and make constructive policy suggestions.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team.
  • Good writing and reporting skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations, and to meet tight deadlines.
  • Knowledge of the Government of Jordan and UN systems and processes is an advantage.

Languages and level required:

Excellent command of English and Arabic (Read - Write - Speak).

5. Location

Amman, Jordan

6. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

40 working days during the below period

Start date: 17 July 2022

End date: 17 November 2022

7. Medical clearance

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

8. Travel

The Consultant is not expected to travel.

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.
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• 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.
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