Consultants - UHC Strategic and Technical Assistance

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1. Purpose of the consultancy – strategic and technical assistance

Under the guidance of the Coordinator- Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Director- Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) Group, the consultant shall provide principal technical support functions and coordinate implementation of UHC in support of the “For the Future” vision. The individual consultant will be engaged in providing strategic and technical assistance to planning and roll out of the country support work of the UHC Team. This work will essentially entail the transformation agenda including development and implementation of the key strategic and operational activities to achieve UHC and the vision (advocacy, country support, partnership and participatory governance) at the country level.

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.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 1 May 2023

End date: 31 December 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: Technical support and inputs to regional and country UHC engagement.

Deliverable 1.1: Draft and collaborate on technical documents, meeting materials, presentations, and briefs and high-level reports

Deliverable 1.2: Provide support on cross-programme initiatives with other units/ divisions in WPRO in terms of strengthening multisectoral collaboration to advance UHC

Deliverable 1.3: Develop analysis, assessment and technical advice for the implementation of UHC roadmaps across Member States

Output 2: Assist in facilitation on country engagement activities, advocacy and UHC implementation

Deliverable 2.1: Assist the team in developing concepts, mechanisms, tools, UHC related information material, including for various regional meetings

Deliverable 2.2: Support in the team in coordination and close collaboration work with Country Offices and potential partners

Deliverable 2.3: Provide innovative strategies and draft concepts to further and enhance tailored UHC support based on local needs, context and capacities

Output 3: Assist in targeted support to Member States and country office collaboration as engagement to implementing the vision

Deliverable 1.3: Draft/ develop approaches to accelerate transforming health systems and innovative means to address local health system challenges

Deliverable 3.1: provide technical support and strategies on targeted country priorities and support coordination of cross-programme collaboration

Deliverable 3.2: on request, support WHO country offices with technical backstopping in support of UHC country roadmaps

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

5. Specific requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: Advanced university degree in Public Health, Health policy, Health management, Health financing or related field from a recognized university

Desirable: PhD in Public Health, health management, health policy development or related field from a recognized University

EXPERIENCE

Required: Demonstrated 5 to 10 years Health systems and UHC work experience with exposure at national and international levels.

Desirable: Working experience in WHO or Ministry of Health, and knowledge about the UHC and Health systems in the Western Pacific

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Excellent knowledge of Health Systems and health challenges in diverse settings including high, middle income and Pacific Island countries
• Technical and diplomatic skills to engage and collaborate with WHO teams, ministry of health, experts and partners
• Ability to think and work independently or with minor supervision to plan, design and implement a systematic approach to problem solving;
• Exceptionally strong Writing Skills including developing concept notes, reports, donor proposals and documenting case studies

• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of the team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct

  LANGUAGES

  Fluent in written and spoken English.

6. Competencies

• Ability to clearly and generate insights based on analysis of data and provide strategies
• 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 (onsite)

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.