National Consultant– RMNCAH

Contract

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National Consultant– RMNCAH

Objective of the programme

Bangladesh has been actively participating in QoC network activities from the very beginning and sharing the learning and best practices with network countries. Quality Improvement Secretariat (QIS) under Health Economic Unit (HEU) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) is coordinating the activities in collaboration with Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), Directorate General of Nursing and Midwifery (DGNM) and other relevant partners. The QoC Network led by 11 countries under the leadership of their ministries of health has developed national policies and strategies for Quality of Care in health services. As a component of these strategies, many countries have adapted WHO MNCH QoC service delivery standards for implementation. To implement the standards, the Network countries are pursuing four strategic objectives:

1. Leadership: Build and strengthen national institutions and processes for improving quality of care in the health sector
2. Action: Accelerate and sustain implementation of quality-of-care improvement packages for mothers, new-borns and children
3. Learning: Facilitate learning, knowledge sharing and generation of evidence on quality planning, improvement and control
4. Accountability: Develop, strengthen and sustain institutions and methods for accountability for quality of care.

Purpose of the activity

Aligned with objective of the initiative, Bangladesh has taken various intervention at country level such revision of National Quality Policy and Strategy, adaptation of National quality policy strategy in Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) frameworks, district level interventions through partners for implementation of standard, approval of the draft National Accreditation Act, data collection against WHO Quality Equity and Dignity (QED- i.e. the QoC network), support to 4th Health Population and Nutrition Sector Programme (4th HPNSP) for implementation of MNCAH and resource mobilization. [

However, a strong coordination is required among the different programme areas and directorates as well among the different partners at field and policy level through strengthening leadership of HEU, MOHFW for harmonization different quality initiatives towards achieving MNCH target of Universal Health.

The overall role of the National Consultant is to serve as a liaison of WHO country office to MOH&FW. He/she will support Quality Improvement Secretariat of Health Economics Unit of MOH&FW.

Description of duties:

Under the overall supervision of the Deputy WHO Representative, and guidance of National Professional officer (MPS) and close supervision by DG, HEU, the National Consultant will support MOHFW to improve the quality of care with focus to Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) through strengthening the coordination among the stakeholders at national and operational level and build capacity for harnessing different quality improvement initiatives for a convergence impact.

The incumbent will provide technical support through performing of the following duties (not limited to):

1. Build and strengthen coordination between Quality Improvement Secretariat (QIS), Directorate of Health Services (DGHS), Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), DGNM and other partners through policy dialogue and support to the ongoing technical assistance provided by WHO;
   2. Provide technical assistance for adaptation of Quality Equity Dignity (QED) M&E framework– building on the existing national HIS (dhis2) through policy dialogue and rolling out the ongoing technical assistance by WHO staff;
   3. Provide technical support for periodic reporting on MNCH QoC common indicators working in collaboration with MNCAH of DGHS & DGFP, DGNM and other partners and produce analytic progress report and ensure the documentation of Quality Initiative (QI) activities from the implementing sites in order to stakeholders sharing for further improvement: Innovations, best practices and private sector engagement;
   4. Convening partners under leadership of HEU, MOHFW: Organize National Forum/ Convention for experience sharing in QI: Once in 2021 (Nov-Virtual), once in 2022 and as necessary arises;
   5. Facilitate with HEU support to conduct the national training for district health managers on program management for QI as decides and guides by SEARO;
   6. Provide technical assistance for conducting training on IPC, AMS, Patient Safety, WASH etc;
   7. Prepare the country paper for the QoC networking review meeting in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders;
   8. Act as coordination for all QI activities executed by WHO;
   9. Arranging Celebration of World Patient Safety Day, AMS week etc.;
   10. Any other activities directed by local supervisor(s).

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Essential: Medical degree (MBBS) from a recognized university with Master’s level university degree in Gynae and obstetric, Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Services Management, or equivalent relevant discipline.

Desirable: Specialized trainings in the relevant areas.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least 7 years’ experience of working with programs on maternal, new-born, child, adolescent health. Experience of working with QIS of MOHFW or DGHS, UN organization or INGO is preferable.
• Experience in health sector planning and governance, quality of care, epidemiology, public health, health systems management, hospital service management, monitoring and evaluation or related field;
• Sound knowledge on MOHFW health care delivery system of Bangladesh;
• Strong ability in working with GoB systems and UN partner.

Desirable:

• Track record in assisting the process of formulating policies, planning and implementation issues related to Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health.
• Familiar with Government policies, priorities, structure and procedures on Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health and broader aspect quality of care and health services delivery.
• Understanding about quality of care Improvement and COVID-19 situation Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health development goal such Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and UHC indexes and Patient Safety;

Competencies:

• Communicating in effective and credible way
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Fostering integration and teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Languages:

High level of proficiency in written and spoken English, and report writing

Computer Literacy:

Excellent knowledge of MS office applications and computer skills including the ability to make high quality technical presentations and data analysis

Salary & others benefits:

WHO offers locally competitive packages such as:

• Monthly salary: BDT 198,875/-( SSA 9 Step I) (Non-negotiable)
• Health Insurance; Accident and illness insurance;
• Annual Leave (18 days per year); Sick leave (12 days per year)
• Applicable holidays as per WHO rules,

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level • Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. • A written test or a presentation using computer followed by an interview will be held only for qualifying candidates. • In the event that 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. • Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to availability of fund and performance. • For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int. • WHO is committed to workforce diversity. • WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice. • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. • This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station. • This vacancy is open to Bangladeshi Nationals (all genders) only.

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Any attempt to unduly influence on WHO’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.