Consultant - UHC Evidence and Monitoring

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1. Purpose of the consultancy – Evidence and monitoring

Under the guidance of the Coordinator- Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Director- Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) Group, the consultant shall assist in preparation, documentation and reports, related to the 1) coordination and follow up for country consultation on UHC indicators, 2) the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and other UHC meetings, and 3) Collation of Country UHC information including policies, strategies, reports and data, and creating a readily accessible repository.

2. Background

Universal health coverage (UHC) means that all people are able to use quality health services they need, without suffering financial hardship. Achieving UHC is the one of the main focus areas of WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work (GPW-13) and is a specific target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - target 3.8. The “For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region sets the five-year vision of WHO work in the Western Pacific Region (WPR). UHC provides a foundation for achieving ‘For the Future vision’ which necessitates working differently (“operational shifts”) in order to surpass priority health challenges (thematic priorities) in the rapidly changing region.

UHC team under the Data Strategy and Innovation (DSI) Group, plays a central role in providing guidance and support to the Member States in their progress towards UHC. The core work of UHC Team focusses on developing approaches and policies that bring all disease programmes, health systems and health information areas together to contribute towards UHC. The cross-cutting policy advice and technical assistance to the Member states is geared towards health system transformation, developing and implementing national health strategics and UHC roadmaps based on the country health priorities, available resources and local context.

Advancing universal health coverage (UHC) is not a straightforward journey and progress does not occur overnight – it requires sustained technical and political commitment to realize vision of improved health for all. Most importantly there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, and each country chooses its own path and pace. However certain principles and health systems attributes are fundamental in the UHC journey- such as equity, quality, efficiency, accountability, sustainability and resilience as outlined in the UHC action framework for the Western pacific region. The road to UHC in Member States requires significant political, social and economic considerations guided by evidence on what works and does not. Closely monitoring progress and adjusting policy, strategies and plans in a timely manner are critical to avoid any setbacks and ensure steady progress towards UHC.

Moving forward, the UHC TAG, regional and country level UHC meetings will serve as a platform to support Member States in setting the vision of UHC, identifying gaps, developing policies, plans, actions for implementation, monitoring and evaluation. UHC Team’s focus will be on country-level support to progress the realization of country’s own UHC vision and roadmap guided by the evidence on the local health priorities, burden of disease, broader socio-political context and health system capacities. To assess the country progress on UHC, WHO is also conducting country consultation process on for collating and analyzing UHC indicators. The process is HQ led but requires close collaboration between HQ, Regional Offices and Country Offices to ensure valid data and indicators are collected for guiding policy actions.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 1 May 2023

End date: 31 October 2023

4. Work to be performed

The work will be performed at the Regional Office under the direct supervision of the Coordinator, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and guidance of the Director, Data, Strategies and Innovation (DSI).

Output 1: Country Consultation on UHC indicators concluded smoothly

• Coordinate and follow-up for country consultation on UHC indicators (SDG 3.8.1 and 3.8.2) in close collaboration with WHO HQ and WPRO Divisions/Units
• Produce reports, newsletters and 37 country UHC profiles based on latest country data from equity lens, including need for future improvements
• Provide support for the conclusion of UHC Country Catalogue project and develop a project plan for more sustainable approach to the current, or future project(s)

Output 2: A well-organized Repository of UHC data and information created

• Collate Country UHC information including – country UHC roadmaps, policies, strategies, CCS, reports and data; and organize systematically in a readily accessible repository on SharePoint
• Present the Repository to the Team and seek inputs and suggestions for further improvement. Constantly maintain and update the repository
• Develop one PowerPoint presentation for each WPR country outlining the basic health data trends, key Health and health systems context, challenges, UHC status, ongoing UHC initiatives, and entry points for UHC

Deliverable 3: UHC related regional, country office and DSI team meetings facilitated, particularly providing background information material, and follow through

• Facilitate the preparatory arrangements for the new UHC TAG meeting
• Develop background documents to support Coordinator and Team members in preparation for the meetings
• Update UHC Team Action priority Matrix and follow through of decisions ad technical work as agreed in the Team meetings. Provide logistics support as needed by the Team

Monthly progress report on the above deliverables expected by the end of each month.

5. Specific requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: University degree in Business/ Administrative studies, Public Health, Economics or related field from a recognized university

EXPERIENCE

Required: 5-10 years work experience in Health research or evidence and monitoring in health policy, strategic communication, process monitoring and project management

Desirable: Experience in working with international organization, desirably WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, or in a multicultural working environment

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Strong knowledge and understanding of using evidence for action, organizing multistakeholder policy dialogues and influencing decision making
• Skilled in research and report writing, strategy development, data analysis and production of clear synthesis
• Ability to think and work independently or with minor supervision to plan, design and implement a systematic approach to problem solving

• Technical and diplomatic skills to engage and collaborate with WHO teams, Ministries, experts and partners

  LANGUAGES

  Fluent in written and spoken English

6. Competencies

• Ability to clearly and briefly generate insights based on analysis of data
• Strong capacity to communicate clearly and quickly
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and produce high quality outputs
• Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment
• Willingness to provide and receive constructive feedback

7. Place of Assignment

WHO Regional Office in the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines

8. Medical Certificate (Consultants only)

Individual consultants must provide WHO fitness for work form from their physician.

9. Travel

Consultant may be required to travel at country-level.

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. ​​​

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