National Consultant on Health Systems

1. Purpose of the Position

To support the evidence collection on the successes and challenges on implementation of a health sector reform on the local level, in the context of the COVID-19 response and the ongoing health and decentralization reforms in Ukraine, to meet health needs of the conflict affected population with a special focus on vulnerable groups (people with disabilities, women, elderly people and others).

2. Organizational context

In the framework of the third phase of the WHO/EU-NEAR Solidarity Programme for the eastern Partnership - Health, and in particular reinforcement of essential health services affected by COVID-19 and health emergency situations, WHO works in collaboration with partners to increase resilience of communities and of the local health system in Donetsk and Luhansk region (GCA) by improving availability and access to quality healthcare services in selected communities affected both by COVID-19 and by the armed conflict in this region of Ukraine. The WHO will provide technical advice local authorities and health providers to manage this important aspect of the response through a specialized consultant in health policy in the eastern part of Ukraine (Luhansk and Donetsk oblast).

A humanitarian, development, peace nexus approach will be implemented, linking Health partners humanitarian assistance with transitional aid/development activities and peacebuilding efforts, thereby resulting in sustainable access to health services in the area, in line with the phase 3 of the WHO/EU-NEAR Solidarity Programme for the Eastern Partnership - Health. The overall objective is to strengthen the resilience of people and local structures to the effects and consequences of both COVID-19 and conflict crises.

3. Description of duties

Under the supervision of the WHO Advisor on health policy and in conjunction with the Heath Cluster, the consultant will support the effective implementation of WHO related activities to health financing and service delivery. The consultant will translate national policies into local context of collaborating with local authorities and healthcare providers focusing on the primary healthcare towards improving quality, access and minimize financial barriers. The consultant will support WHO in drawing lessons learnt and opportunities identified to further guide national health financing and service delivery reform towards Universal Health Coverage. The consultant will contribute to the viability of providers, conduct analysis and generate advice towards absorption of direct delivery services by development and humanitarian partners into National, Oblast, community, municipal health authorities (including primary care service delivery assessment, fiscal space analysis, cost estimates for various administrative layers, advice on inclusion paths into the NHSU packages).

This includes: a) Monitor service delivery and health financing bottlenecks, misalignments and barriers for access to quality primary care and report to WHO on potential challenges and solutions for improvement; b) Develop at least 4 reports and 3 media related posts/products on health financing, service delivery and health system in GCA Donetsk and Luhansk, including one on gender, equity and human rights c) Producing monthly internal briefs to update WHO team on the current developments in the field, needs, challenges, and activities including the activities of partners; d) To provide technical contributions in the areas of responsibility to the WHO -produced products, as required, including health services monitoring, data management, costing, management of services or evaluation of access to care due to COVID19 and related restrictions e) Participate and contribute into capacity building of partners and government official and healthcare providers in related fields described above

4. Recruitment Profile

Functional Knowledge and Skills

Essential: Understanding of Ukraine health system reforms; Demonstrated knowledge of health financing, health systems and health care services in Ukraine. Good knowledge of health financing and/ or service delivery. Good computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet, Power point presentations). Ability to learn quickly and work within significant uncertainties in a rapidly changing environment.

Desirable: Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of key WHO policies, tools and guidance materials on service delivery and health financing. Data management and data analysis skills.

Education Qualifications

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in health financing, medicine, public health, social and political sciences, economics; Desirable: Master's degree or postgraduate training in any of the above fields.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of national work experience in the field of health; Experience of living and working in conflict-affected settings Proven record of working with state and synthesizing information related to health system policies. Proven experience in implementing and/or managing projects or project activities. Desirable: Relevant work experience with(in) international institutions or organizations in the area of health. Previous work experience in conflict affected settings, emergency and related is an asset.

Languages

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English and Ukrainian. Desirable: Working knowledge of Russian

5. Contract duration

January – July 2022

6. Location

Ukraine-Bakhmut or Severodonetsk or Mariupol; Combination of onsite and offsite.

7. Travel

Travel to be covered separately if required.

8. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Remuneration is based on classified requirements of the Terms of Reference of the Individual Consultant Contract with related academic and professional experience applied for the grade in accordance with WHO’s consultant’s pay band ranges (NO-A level)

9. Living expenses

Not applicable

10. Work schedule / Duration of contract

7 months - 100% - Working schedule to be agreed with supervisors

11. 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice. • 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.