International Consultant: Leading the development of a new health map in Tunisia

Purpose of consultancy

The objective of this consultation is to lead the process of supporting the reform of the health map, including defining the strategic objectives, indices, and planning criteria, for health facilities, heavy equipment, and human resources, considering the objectives of the strategic plan of the national health policy 2035 (PNS) and the projections to 2050 in Tunisia.

Background

The health map is an important tool for planning the provision of healthcare and reducing regional inequities. In Tunisia, the health map was designed in 1999 to provide citizens and professionals with information on the provision of health care (health infrastructure, human resources, equipment, and data on hospital activity).

This health map makes it possible to highlight interregional disparities and gaps in the provision of care. However, the current health map is only descriptive with some indicators of the health system. A new design is needed to develop the normative function of the health map based on planning criteria and indices to correct regional inequalities and thereby improve the allocation of financial and other resources in the future.

To build the predictive function of the health map, it is relevant to set the projections at least over 10 years based on population projections, and to propose simulations over 5, 10, 20 and 30 years of the projected health coverage to inform decision-making and test the financial feasibility of the choice of standards chosen.

In this context, and as part of the WHO-Ministry of Health (MoH) collaboration, the MOH is seeking WHO's support to mobilize a senior expert to provide strategic advice and inputs to inform the reform of the health map as a decision-making tool for planning and resource allocation.

In support of the MOH, WHO is seeking the services of a senior international consultant to define the objectives and planning indices of the new health map by carrying out simulations and projections for 2035 (in alignment with the strategic plan for implementation of the PNS) and the longer term 2050, particularly for health facilities, heavy equipment, and human resources.

Deliverables

Output 1: Analyse quantitative and qualitative data on healthcare inputs in Tunisia.

Deliverable 1.1: Submit a report of the diagnostic analysis of the health care offer in Tunisia (quantitative and qualitative) in terms of trends, disfunctions (at the national and regional levels), and gaps in terms of missing data/indices.

Output 2: Support the process of development of an organizational framework for health services and the review of the typology of health facilities, in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Evaluation (DEP) the health card team and other MOH departments.

Deliverable 2.1: Provide an organizational framework for health services for Tunisia including a typology of health facilities, covering both the public and private sectors.

Output 3: Develop a roadmap for a new health map in Tunisia, including identifying objectives, planning indices and justifications of the targeted standards, and defining the strategy and methods to achieve the objectives and set the indices considering the current context.

Deliverable 3.1: Submit a report on the choice of planning indices and justifications for the targeted standards for the new health map, particularly for health facilities, heavy equipment, and human resources.

Deliverable 3.2: Deliver a draft of a new health map setting out the objectives and planning criteria considering the objectives of the strategic plan of the national health policy 2035 and the projections to 2050 in Tunisia.

Output 4: Analyze, review, and provide strategic recommendations on the institutional and legislative framework for the new health map.

Deliverable 4.1: submit a report with recommendations for the revision of the institutional and legislative framework for the new health map to ensure that it is fit to carry out the descriptive, normative, and forecasting functions.

Output 5: Conceptualize and facilitate a validation workshop of the draft health map to discuss and agree with the main stakeholders.

Deliverable 5.1: Submit a report of the workshop with comments to improve the draft health card.

Deliverable 5.2: Submit a validated health map.

Educational Qualifications

Essential: a master’s degree in public health, Health Services Management or relevant fields.

Desirable: PhD in health economics or public health, or related field.

Experience

Essential: over 10 years of experience in the management and use of health data and indicators to inform policy and resource allocation in the health sector.

Desirable: Experience in working within the Tunisian health system.

Skills/Knowledge

• Robust experience in health planning and/or development of health policies and strategies.
• Excellent analytical, evaluative, and writing skills.
• Strong analytical skills, especially quantitative analysis of health system data.
• Demonstrated expertise in preparing and presenting data and evidence to senior decision-makers in the public health sector.
• Strong experience in delivering capacity building activities to MOH (senior and technical level) and partners.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with partners in a team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Languages and level required

Essential: Expert knowledge of French.

Desirable: Expert knowledge of Arabic.

Location

Tunisia and remote online work.

Travel

Travel to Tunisia may take place under this consultancy (to be decided in consultation with MOH).

Medical clearance

A signed and stamped medical certificate is to be provided.

Hiring Unit

Unit:

WHO Country Office Tunisia

Department:

Health systems

Remuneration and Expected duration of the contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year)

· Remuneration: at Band level “C”

· Expected duration of the contract: Start date: 15 June 2024 - End date: 15 November 2024.

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: Enhanced WHO global competency model

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:

a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.

b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education, and training are provided.

c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

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.
• 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 is committed to putting 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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.