Short-Term Consultancy for supporting review and update of the Health Personnel Development Strategy

BACKGROUND

Since the current version of the Health Personnel Development Strategy by 2020 is ending. Therefore, further development and the updated strategy will guide the government in strengthening health personnel in the country for the next decade. Further, the consultancy will also aim to support MOH in forecasting health workforce needs and identifying gaps, including number and cadre of the health workforce from 2021 to 2030.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support requested by the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Lao PDR to update the 'Health Personnel Development Strategy 2010-2020' for the next ten years (2021-2030) based on review of the progress over the past ten years and priorities identified in the context of COVID-19 and beyond.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The consultant will work as part of the WHO Country Office team in Lao PDR under overall guidance from the Coordinator for Health Systems. He/she will work very closely with the Department of Health Personnel to provide technical support and travel to provinces to support consultations at sub-national level.

The consultant will conduct literature review of all relevant documents, interviews with key stakeholders and review of data from the existing systems such as Health Personnel Information Management System (HPIMS) and support

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Output 1: Review of the progress in implementation of the 'Health Personnel Development Strategy 2010-2020' and key priorities identified in the context of COVID-19 and beyond in alignment with the Health Sector Reform Strategy 2021-2030

Deliverable 1.1: Collect relevant data on HRH through 1) desktop review of the decrees, regulation, policy/strategy/plan (e.g.the Health Personnel Development Strategy by 2020 and the Provincial Health Workforce Development Plans) and other grey documents on HRH in Lao PDR; 2) interview of key stakeholders in the Ministry, the University of Health Sciences, the Provincial School/College of Health Sciences as well as the Provincial/District Health authorities; and 3) review and analysis of HRH data from the existing sources including Health Personnel Information Management System (HPIMS) and from the provincial health departments

Deliverable 1.2: Support organizing consultations to share the outcomes from the review and get technical inputs on the preliminary findings of the review from key stakeholders in the health sector

Output 2: Support for the Department of Health Personnel in projection of HRH needs for 2021-2030

Deliverable 2.1: Support the Department of Health Personnel in verifying the data at the provincial and district levels through field visits and analysing it

Deliverable 2.2: Using scientific methodology agreed with the Department, support the Department in projecting HRH needs and identifying priorities for the future

Output 3: To provide Development of a draft updated Health Personnel Development Strategy 2021-2030

Deliverable 3.1: Draft updated Health Personnel Development Strategy 2021-2030 based on analysis of the data and feedback from the key stakeholders

Deliverable 3.2: Support organizing a national consultation to review the draft updated Health Personnel Development Strategy 2021-2030 and revise it based on feedback at the consultation

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

Postgraduate degree in Public Health, International Health, Health and Social Science or related field

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

Minimum of 7 years of working experiences in policy development, planning and/or regulatory system for human resources for health

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Technical knowledge and competences in policy development, planning and regulatory system for HRH
• Good analysis and writing skills
• Clear communication skills to support consultation with key stakeholders

LANGUAGES

Proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory

COMPETENCIES

• Producing results in a changing environment
• Communicating effectively
• Respecting cultural diversity

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

He/she would be expected to work in Vientiane capital and travel to provinces to support consultations at sub-national level

DURATION OF CONTRACT:   45 working days

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 7 January 2021. 

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. 119980 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.