Individual Consultancy: Health Specialist - Health Systems Strengthening

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Health

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the Assignment: Health Specialist

Section Submitting: Child Health and Nutrition Section

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

1. Methodology and Technical Approach:

UNICEF and partners in support to the Government of Mozambique are committed to address key challenges faced by children and women and help them fully realize their full rights. Those challenges include high vulnerability to poverty, high level of chronic malnutrition, high rates of child marriage and low access to quality social services. UNICEF is fully committed to guarantee the survival, development, protection and participation of Mozambican children.

UNICEF’s Mozambique child health and nutrition programme includes a focus on strengthening primary health care (PHC) for achieving universal health coverage (UHC) through multi-sectoral policy and action. The Health Specialist- Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) in the Health and Nutrition Section at UNICEF Mozambique is working with Ministry of Health and UNICEF Regional Office (ESARO) to support HSS interventions that facilitate operationalization of PHC at community level, with a focus on evidence base planning and coordinated planning with UN agencies. In specific terms, UNICEF aims to:

I. contribute to national strategic plans and policies as well as subnational operational plans for children’s and women’s health that are evidence-based and equity-enhancing

II. ensure coordinated planning with UN agencies as part of health sector planning

III. advocate to ensure adequate health financing is allocated, distributed, and managed equitably and efficiently, to ensure progressive universalism that favours poor and vulnerable communities,

IV. promote PHC towards UHC, with affordable, quality individual and population-level health services near where people live and work, a multisectoral approach to the determinants of health, community engagement and participation and social accountability

V. collaborate to strengthen supply chain management,

VI. improve the quality of health care strengthening the health workforce to deliver on UHC and PHC through improved planning and the causal analyses of barriers, coordinated with Reach every Child/Reach Every District approach

VII. improve the collection, analysis, use and quality of data, building on existent national information systems, new technologies and capacity building on M&A

VIII.support mobilization of the private sector in the provision of health services and data for the public good, (thinking here on NCD topic)

2. Activities and Tasks:

Under the general supervision of the Chief of Health & Nutrition section, and in collaboration with the other contributors within the section to HSS (Health Specialist- Community Platform, Supply Logistics Specialist-HSS, Health & Nutrition Specialist- Research and Information Systems, Health & Nutrition Officer-M&A), within the Child Health and Nutrition Section (EPI Specialist, MCH Specialist) and Regional Office-ESARO as part of a matrix approach to HSS, the incumbent on this post will provide technical assistance and support for the design, planning, monitoring and evaluation UNICEF support for HSS for PHC and undertake other duties as required. This is a 5-month consultancy.

The following table summarizes the key functions, duties, and accountabilities of the role:

HEALTH SYSTEM STRENGTHENING

Provide advisory services and technical advice: Support to key Ministry of Health in coordination with UN system, NGO and other partners on policies, approaches, and best practices for sustained operationalization of PHC through evidence-based planning according to need and local priority.

Specific support to MoH on the institutionalization, consolidation and expansion of methodology of Bottleneck Analyses as national and subnational evidence-based planning tool in synergy with RED/REC strategy.

Provide advisory services and technical advice: Support MoH at subnational level to improve governance (management and accountability skills) of the health sector and health managers’ capacity for evidence-based planning, budgeting and oversight, including as part of decentralized health sector management.

Specific support for the development of management training modules for district management teams focused on quarterly review performance meetings and formative supervision, as part of evidence-based planning approach.

Programme monitoring and assessment: Promote and engage in the monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF-supported HSS initiatives through sectoral reviews with governments and other counterparts; ensure good programme and financial management and determine action required to sustain results and systems improvements

Advocacy, networking, partnership building and fund-raising: As assigned, strengthen strategic partnerships with global, regional and country health counterparts such as WHO, UNFPA, the World Bank, GFF, GF, Gavi, major bilateral and other partners, through active networking and effective communication on UNICEF’s work on HSS for PHC and UHC.

Specific support in relevant Technical Working Groups, Health Programme Strategic Plan (PESS) extension, Mid Term Review of Investment Case, ProSaude, Service Delivery and others as identified with Chief of Section.

Knowledge management and capacity building: Research and disseminate effective approaches and best practices on HSS for PHC/UHC. Institutionalize best practices and knowledge through learning programmes and information dissemination to support UNICEF capacity to develop, implement and scale up HSS. Contribute to the development and introduction of innovations that promote PHC/UHC for vulnerable communities. Support capacity building initiatives that enhance the competencies of a wide range of internal and external partners to achieve sustainable results on PHC/UHC initiatives.

Provide guidance to colleagues under supervision, Health & Nutrition Specialist (Research & Information Systems) and Health & Nutrition Officer (M&E)

Stablish effective mechanisms to ensure coordination on the UNICEF HSS components: community subsystems, supply and logistics, information systems and evidence-based planning.

UNICEF INTERNAL RELATED TASKS

Accountable for the internal programmatic planning and reporting, providing guidance and coordination in the section to ensure alignment with Country Programme, Five Year Government Plan as well as with resources available and in pipeline.

Prepare, coordinate and/or supervise the formulation of health programme recommendations and related documentations as a component of the Country Programme, establishing clear programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results based on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM).

Lead on internal planning and monitoring processes, including consolidation of M&E system, annual work planning with MISAU at provincial and national level, and end of year reporting.

Act as crossectorial focal point for Social Policy and Public Finance related issues and as Public Private Partnership focal point (to revise as needed)

3. Deliverables and Payments****: Payments will be processed upon acceptance of the corresponding deliverable and against an invoice that will make reference to the contract reference and deliverable number. Payments will be approved by the respective section chief.

Deliverable 1: Monthly report #1 (November 2021)

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): End of month 1

Deliverable/product(s): Deliveries will be presented to Head of Section (HoS) through a Monthly Report with supporting documents (links, attachments)

1. Extended Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) contract in coordination with Head of Section and Supply (I advise a new ending date 31 March 2022).
2. Developed BNA visual materials with FPD, action plan for dissemination.
3. Technical working group (MoH and UN agencies) agreed on contents, methodology and roadmap for District Management Modules (with FPD support)
4. Specific roadmap revised with MoH for BNA at district level implementation. Documented regular communication/mentorship with BNA facilitators and participants (WhatsApp group or other agreed platforms).
5. Facilitate coordination within MoH: Public Health National Direction (DNSP) and Planning National Direction (DPC) to ensure optimization of complementarities and synergies with Extended Programme Immunization (EPI) RED/REC strategy as well as for BNA implementation in other Public Health programmes.
6. Specific roadmap developed to facilitate coordination with Child Protection colleagues on improvement of Violence Against Children (VAC) data in DHIS2 and its analyses through BNA in selected districts. Roadmap developed
7. Specific roadmap concluded for end of the year reporting-EYR (including support on organization and reporting of annual review at section and office level) and 2022 internal planning. Actions concluded/deadlines met according to it.
8. Specific roadmap stablished in coordination with INS, MoH and HQ for implementation of Helmsley work plan. Actions concluded/deadlines met according to it.
9. Integrate all developed roadmaps in a document for easier reference and use it as internal monitoring tool for follow up on progress.
10. Attend meetings with partners and MoH related to PHC/UHC as requested by Chief of Section and provide inputs for better coordination and synergies.
11. Report on other activities performed during the month, including trip reports for missions undertaken and supervisory related tasks.
12. Implementation of administrative tasks related to the above (DCTs, Programmatic visits, TA, SES, etc.)

Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 2: Monthly report #2 (December 2021)

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): End of month 2

Deliverable/product(s): Deliveries will be presented to HoS through a Monthly Report with supporting documents (links, attachments)

1. District Management Modules related tasks implemented (with FPD support). Actions concluded/deadlines met according to agreed timeline.
2. BNA visual materials ready for use and distributed as per action plan.
3. BNA district workshops implemented (NCDs integrated) as per roadmap. Regular communication/mentorship provided and documented.
4. In coordination with DNSP and DPC action plan agreed for BNA RED/REC joint implementation and identified other needs for BNA implementation in concrete Public Health programmes.
5. End of the year reporting/2022 internal planning (including support on organization and reporting of annual review at section and office level) related tasks implemented. Actions concluded/deadlines met according to agreed timeline.
6. Helmsley 2022 implemented according with roadmap and in coordination with INS, MoH and HQ.
7. Attend meetings with partners and MoH related to PHC/UHC as requested by HoS and provide active/valuable inputs linked to actions when relevant.
8. Attend internal meetings related planning, reporting, partnerships. Provide active/valuable inputs linked to actions when relevant.
9. Updated progress on roadmap compiled document
10. Report on other relevant activities performed during the month, including trip reports for missions undertaken and supervisory related tasks.
11. Implementation of administrative tasks related to the above (DCTs, Programmatic visits, TA, SES, etc.)

Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 3: Monthly report #3 (January 2022)

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): End of month 3

Deliverable/product(s): Deliveries will be presented through a Monthly Report with supporting documents (links, attachments)

1. District Management Modules related tasks implemented (with FPD support). Actions concluded/deadlines met according to agreed timeline.
2. BNA district workshops implemented as per roadmap and regular communication/mentorship provided and documented (NCDs integrated)
3. Implementation of coordinated RED/REC-BNA as per action plan. Regular communication/mentorship provided and documented.
4. Improvement of VAC data in DHIS2 and in BNA implemented as agreed and regular communication/mentorship provided and documented.
5. End of the year reporting/2022 internal planning (including support on organization and reporting of annual review at section and office level) related tasks implemented. Actions concluded/deadlines met according to agreed timeline.
6. Helmsley 2022 implemented according with roadmap and in coordination with INS, MoH and HQ.
7. Attend meetings with partners and MoH related to PHC/UHC as requested by HoS and provide active/valuable inputs linked to actions when relevant.
8. Attend internal meetings related planning, reporting, partnerships and PSEA related. Provide active/valuable inputs linked to actions when relevant.
9. Updated progress on roadmap compiled document
10. Report on other activities performed during the month, including trip reports for missions undertaken and supervisory related tasks.
11. Implementation of administrative tasks related to the above (DCTs, Programmatic visits, TA, SES, etc.)

Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 4: Monthly report #4 (February 2022)

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): End of month 4

Deliverable/product(s): Deliveries will be presented through a Monthly Report with supporting documents (links, attachments)

1. District Management Modules developed (with FPD support)
2. BNA District Workshops Lessons Learned consolidated. Includes specific Lessons Learned related to integration of NCDs, and VAC interventions in BNA.
3. Lessons Learned paper on integration of RED/REC & BNA as District Planning tools.
4. End of the year reporting successfully closed in the system and 2022 internal planning discussed with MoH/SETSAN and signed).
5. Helmsley 2022 implemented according with roadmap and in coordination with INS, MoH and HQ.
6. Document with conclusions and recommendations about UNICEF contribution based on interaction with partners and MoH on PHC/UHC.
7. Attend internal meetings related planning, reporting, partnerships and PSEA related. Provide active/valuable inputs linked to actions when relevant.
8. Updated progress on roadmap compiled document.
9. Report on other activities performed during the month, including trip reports for missions undertaken and supervisory related tasks.
10. Implementation of administrative tasks related to the above (DCTs, Programmatic visits, TA, SES, etc.)

Payment (indicate amount or %):

*Deliverable 5*****: Monthly report #5

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): End of month 5

Deliverable/product(s):

1. District Management Modules (with FPD support) approved and by MoH. Action plan for implementation stablished with TWG.
2. BNA District Workshops Lessons Learned disseminated with MoH (includes a section on NCDs and VAC)
3. Finished the Summary of H&N annual reviews with provinces and central level.
4. Helmsley 2022 implemented according with roadmap and in coordination with INS, MoH and HQ.
5. Attend internal meetings related planning, reporting, partnerships and PSEA related. Provide active/valuable inputs linked to actions when relevant.
6. Updated progress on roadmap compiled document.
7. Consolidate a Handover Report highlighting lessons learned and recommendations on:

• BNA effective expansion
• BNA-RED/REC integration
• BNA uses in other Public Health Programmes (beyond EPI)
• NCDs integration on district plans
• VAC in DHIS2 and district planning
• UNICEF contribution on PHC/UHC

8. Implementation of administrative tasks related to the above (DCTs, Programmatic visits, TA, SES, etc.)

Payment (indicate amount or %):

4. Management and Supervision****:

The Health Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the Chief of Child Health & Nutrition (CHN) Section in Maputo and in field offices, in close interaction with the whole CHN team in Maputo and provinces, especially with colleagues working on different HSS components.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Academic qualifications:

Degree in medicine, public health, social science or a related field and post-graduate degree (master's level or above) in public health, health management or a related field.

Work experience:

A minimum of five/eight (5/8) years of relevant professional experience at international or national level in Health programmes with a focus on PHC and health systems support.

Specific knowledge, competencies, and skills required:

• Familiarity with relevant tools and frameworks for health systems analysis and modelling of health systems.
• High-level capacity for sensitive liaison with partners within and outside the organization.
• Knowledge on UNICEF internal planning and reporting mechanisms an advantage.

Language skills:

Fluency in English (written and verbal) and working knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

This position requires strong hard and soft skills related to our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. To view our competency framework, please click here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org