SSA Health Systems Strengthening

FINAL TERMS OF REFERENCE

SSA - Health System Strengthening

1. Background

Please briefly describe why the work is needed and the context.

The Third Generation Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS III) of WHO Namibia outlines the strategic agenda over the five-year period 2019--2023. This is aligned to WHO's Thirteenth General Programme of Work, 2019--2025 (GPW 13), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), National Development Plan 5 (NDP5), National Health Strategic Plan (NHSP) and United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF) 2019--2023 for Namibia.

The Strategic Agenda focuses on three interconnected strategic priorities to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all people at all ages, and a fourth priority to enable WHO to fulfil its mandate: * Strategic Priority 1: Advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) * Strategic Priority 2: Addressing Health Emergencies * Strategic Priority 3: Promoting Healthier Populations * Strategic Priority 4: Strengthening Leadership, Governance and Enabling Functions

Strategic priority 1 focuses on strengthening health systems to progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. The essence of UHC is a strong and resilient people-centred health system with primary care as its foundation and community-based services, health promotion and disease prevention as its key components. This is to ensure that all people and communities have access to and can use the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services that are appropriate to their needs and are of sufficient quality to be effective while not exposing the user to financial hardship. This priority area focuses on the principles of access, equity, quality and sustainability, and is underpinned by the health system building blocks, which direct WHO's support.

The WHO Country Office is therefore supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Services through the UHC/ Life Course Cluster to implement health system strengthening interventions. The Health Policy Advisor who heads the cluster has been designated as Officer in Charge and hence the need for SSA in the short term to provide this support.

Objective of the SSA The overall objective of the SSA is to support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies, and plans, strengthen technical and institutional capacity, knowledge and information for strengthening health systems and services and related policy dialogue, and coordination within the health sector. . 2. Deliverables

Outline clear tasks and deliverables, to be carried out in the framework of the background described above. These need to be time-bound and specific. * Work with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and consult in the finalisation of the National Health Policy Framework. * Participate and support the MOHSS in the technical working groups for the development of the UHC Policy Framework * Support the development of the Essential Health services backage. * Support the implementation of activities mandated for WHO within the National Medicines Policy Implementation plan. * Coordinate the support to the development of the health information system strategic plan. * Support the implementation of the E-Health Strategy and application of the Digital Health Platform to ensure progress and facilitate WHO support working with WHO/AFRO and Headquarters. * Support the UHC/Life Course Cluster team to ensure functionality and backstopping for the team members. * Compile reports of the agencies of the health sub-pillar for submission to the Programme Management Team when required. * Respond to and follow up on requests from the MoHSS to WHO, and from the WHO/AFRO or HQ to the WCO. * Represent WHO in meetings in health systems and life course when required. * Undertake additional tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Deliverables * Finalisation of the National Health Policy Framework. * Progress report on the development of the UHC Policy Framework * Progress report on the development of the Essential Health services backage. * Update on WHO support to the National Medicines Policy Implementation plan. * End of contract report on activities conducted.

3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications Essential: A minimum of a first degree in medicine, public health or related health programme, with a higher qualification being an added advantage. Desirable: Additional training in health systems. Experience Essential: * A minimum of two years' experience in public health. * Experience in the area of health system strengthening. * Knowledge and experience in the Namibia Health System * Very good command of written and spoken English. * Very good presentation and report writing skills.

Desirable: Extensive experience of 10 or more years in public health

Skills/Knowledge * Experience in the area of health system strengthening. * Knowledge and experience in the Namibia Health System * Very good command of written and spoken English. * Very good presentation and report writing skills.

Languages and level required Essential: Expert knowledge of English. 4. Technical Supervision Mary Nana Ama Brantuo -- Health Systems Advisor, Participatory Governance & Policy 5. Location Please specify where the SSA will work: On site: WCO/ Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia On site for insurance purposes: Windhoek

6. Travel - If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required

Please specify any expected travel(s): dates, location and purpose. Windhoek, Namibia Travel will be dependent on programmes. 7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Rate

The SSA will be paid at the level of the UN monthly rate of NOB of NAD 73,494.33 for the period of five months. The payment will be made monthly. Currency: NAD

Work schedule (if applicable) : Full time

The SSA will be for five months from 01 August 2023 - 31 December 2023.