CONSULTANCY ON HEALTH WORKFORCE
BACKGROUND
For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region outlines a vision for WHO work with Member States and partners in the Western Pacific. Strong, resilient, sustainable health systems are integral to delivering the four thematic priorities - health security, NCDs and ageing, climate change and the environment and reaching the unreached. Up to 60% of people living in some countries in the Region do not have access to safe, quality and affordable health services and medicines. This threatens individuals, families, communities and economies.
Division of Health Systems and Services (DHS) of WPRO contributes to taking forward the vision of, and the for thematic priorities in, For the Future. DHS supports Member States with high quality advice and assistance on different aspects, including health workforce and health services, so that they can build resilient, responsive and sustainable health systems.
The Health Policy and Service (HPS) Unit under DHS provides as part of its mandate, support on development and implementation of policies, strategies, and plans on the health workforce. HPS Unit is looking to hire a short-term consultant to provide support to Member States on better planning and management of the health workforce.
The purpose of this short-term consultancy is to support effective support to Member States on planning and management of the health workforce as part of health service delivery, including a focus on an effective response to COVID-19 that builds upon pre-COVID-19 work on strengthening health care systems and can contribute to longer term health systems agenda, as well as incorporating valuable human resources for health (HRH) lessons learned during same response, as part of the HPS Unit of the DHS in Manila.
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
The consultant is being recruited to provide technical support to Member States of the Western Pacific Region on better planning and management of the health workforce.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
In consultation with the Health Policies and Service Design (HPS) Unit of the Division of Health Systems and Services, the service provider will have the following outputs:
- Improved technical support to Member States in the development of evidence-informed health workforce policies, strategies and plans in support of universal health coverage (UHC) and the thematic priorities of the Western Pacific Region Vision Paper;
- Strengthened support to Member States to strengthen the availability and use of health workforce data to generate evidence for policy decisions, including support on data collection efforts for global reports with a particular focus on health workforce strengthening and support for the COVID-19 response;
- Health workforce and broader health systems and health care pathways technical advice to member states for preparing for large scale community transmission for COVID-19;
- Enhanced capacity of Member States in strengthening systems and processes for the regulation of health professionals with the primary objective of improving quality and safety of health services in support of COVID-19 response and contributing to longer term UHC;
- Technical support given to Member States to strengthen health professional education with a particular focus on COVID-19 needs, IPC, mental health, to prepare a health workforce with required competencies to address evolving individual and population health needs;
- Strengthened capacity of Member States in designing and implementing provider payment mechanisms to improve productivity and increase accessibility to health workers, especially in underserved areas;
- Further country-based policy roundtable discussions on increasing role of nurses and midwifes in the COVID-19 response and contributing to long term stronger nurse leadership and government allocation of resources for nursing profession; and
- Final report on how the activities were implemented, what outputs were achieved, lessons learned and recommendations for HRH program etc.
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
The service provider will review relevant documents and publications related to health workforce program; coordinate with stakeholders including country office counterparts; travel to countries to provide direct support if required and possible; and draft related activity reports.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Essential: Master’s degree in public health, health sciences, public health policy, health economics, health systems or related field from a recognized university.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in public health
EXPERIENCE
Essential: Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in health services planning and management, related to the development of HRH policies and strategies in the context of public health or social development at national and international levels.
Desirable:
- • Previous experience with WHO or other UN agencies
- • Previous international experience
- • Previous experience in coordinating with diverse teams
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- • Excellent communication skills
- • Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills
- • Ability to work in a team with limited supervision
- • Ability to work under pressure
LANGUAGES
Proficient in written and spoken English.
COMPETENCIES
- • Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
- • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- • Ensuring the effective use of resources
- • Fostering Integration and team work
- • Communication in a credible and effective way
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Place of assignment is in the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO), Manila, Philippines (telework in case of travel not available due to COVID-19 pandemic).
APPLICATIONS
Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 20 August 2020.
The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.
Please use Tender Notice No. 112192 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.