Consultant -Village Health Assistants/Volunteer program, COPNG/HSD

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1. Purpose of the consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide support for the development of a community health implementation strategy for community engagement in relation to overall health systems in the context of Papua New Guinea. The strategy will help to better understand and actualize the village health assistant's policy, recruitment, remuneration, supervision plans and options and how-to step-up efforts to meet health needs in a sustainable manner.

2. Background

Papua New Guinea has made tremendous progress in implementing successful, innovative, and high-impact health interventions to improve the health status of the population through village health volunteers. The volunteer program has been in existence since the early 80s to address challenges related to healthcare access and a shortage of healthcare providers to increase health service delivery. The program has been empowering communities to take charge of their lives informally and is mainly managed by NGOs and other partners.

During the development of the National Health Plan 2021-2030, Community engagement was prioritized as KRA 1 for implementation through a formalized cadre called the village health assistants (VHAs). Investing in VHAs will result in improved health indicators and a positive return rather than operating at the margins of health systems, without being duly recognized, integrated, supported, and rewarded for the crucial role they play. The Government of Papua New Guinea recognizes the problem of access to primary care is not only a health sector issue but rather a multi-sectorial challenge that requires all sectors to work together in a synergistic manner to deliver a comprehensive health package ranging from preventive to basic curative interventions with community active participation. In preparation for community health program reform, the government of PNG initiated a policy dialogue for the development of a Village Health Assistant and Volunteer policy to identify strategies and modalities for strengthening the performance of the existing volunteers to village health assistants.

Based on the above background the National Department of Health in collaboration with WHO is seeking the services of an international consultant with proven experience and expertise to support the implementation of the Village Health Assistants program based on evidence taking into consideration the National Health Plan 2021-2030 and draft Village Health Assistants Policy among other relevant programmatic documents.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Estimated start date: 1 September 2023 End date: 31 January 2024

Duration: 5 months

4. Work to be performed

By working closely with the WCO and the National Village Health Assistants/Volunteers Technical Working Group, the consultant will be responsible for providing high-quality technical support to NDOH and other partners to achieve the following outputs

Output 1: Develop an inception report detailing how the work will be conducted.

Deliverable 1.1 A detailed inception report

Output 2: Undertake an in-depth situation/context analysis of the community health systems and synthesize learning outcomes

Deliverable 2.1 Facilitate interviews or focused groups discussions and or review of documents

Deliverable 2.2 Provide a country situation analysis report on community health systems

Output 3: Provide technical support for the finalization of the VHA/V curriculum, manual and job aids

Deliverable 3.1 Finalized VHA/V curriculum, training manual, and relevant job aids

Output 4: Develop a draft Community health strategy

Deliverable 4.1 Conduct Stakeholder meetings, interviews, and focused group discussions

Deliverable 4.2 Visit selected Provincial Health Authorities to gather information from health workers and community groups

Deliverable 4.3 Develop a draft community health strategy

Output 5: Validation of the draft Community Strategy

Deliverable 5.1 Validation report with comments for revising the draft strategy

Output 6: Reviewing the draft strategy and finalization

Deliverable 6.1 Final Community Health Strategy for PNG

Output 7: A comprehensive end-of-contract report.

Methods to carry out the activities

· Conduct stakeholder interviews and meetings as necessary

· Support implementation of the relevant Village Health Assistants/Volunteers activities.

· Conduct literature search, gather data, and conduct relevant analysis, presentations, and talking points.

· Coordinate stakeholders within and outside of the organization and facilitate discussions.

· Maintain regular communication and engagement through emails, video calls, face-to-face meetings, etc.

· Provide technical support under the supervision of technical leads in the WCO

5. Specific requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: An advanced degree in public health or community health or any other relevant course

Desirable: Postgraduate diploma in community health or nursing

EXPERIENCE

Required:

· A minimum of 10 years of experience working in health reforms and community health systems with governments internationally especially in low and middle-income settings

· Evidence of supporting community health strategies and programs

· Evidence of the development of curriculum, training manuals, and job aids

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

· Advanced writing and communication skills particularly for verbal presentations in meetings and events and written communication in the form of technical briefings, reports and proposals, and reporting.

· Ability to complete tasks within a given time frame

LANGUAGES

· Expert level in English

6. Competencies

· Technical Expertise

· Communication

· Teamwork

· Producing Results

7. Place of Assignment

Offsite

8. Medical Certificate

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

9. Travel

The consultant may be required to travel to domestically for relevant activities

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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• 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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