Technical Support to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Fiji for production of 2018-19 National Health Accounts (NHA)

BACKGROUND

Health accounts have been the standard way for countries to monitor health expenditures. The accounting framework System of Health Accounts (SHA 2011) generates consistent, comprehensive, and disaggregated data on health spending in a country, providing the evidence base to guide countries’ policy making towards UHC. As part of the global mandate to report on health expenditures, WHO works with partners to support the production and use health expenditure information using the SHA 2011 framework.

Also, it is important to invest in primary health care (PHC) to advance health reform agenda that addresses health security and UHC. Therefore, additional technical deliberations are required to support countries in measuring PHC spending given the ever-evolving concepts and lack of ready-made routine data collection mechanisms. In response to the demands, WHO has updated its technical notes in 2022 on “Global measure of Primary Health Care expenditure under SHA2011”.

In Fiji, although progress has been made in routine health expenditure tracking, the country still faces challenges to improve the timeliness and quality of data collection and mapping, as well as institutionalization of health accounts production. Particularly, efforts are required to promote evidence-based policymaking using health accounts data, especially in the contexts of tightened fiscal space during the recent years.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

This consultancy will provide technical support to WHO DPS office based in Fiji in facilitating Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MOHMS) in conducting national health accounts studies using the System of Health Accounts (SHA 2011) framework from 2018-2019.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output/s

Output 1: Support MOHMS in data collection and analysis for health accounts study 2018-2019 using templates and tools provided by WHO.

• • Information and databases collected, that will be used to prepare the disaggregation of health expenditure 2018-2019 and estimate the PHC spending reporting items. For General Government expenditure, the data collection process should include both budget allocations and executed budget / expenditures.
• • Collected information cleaned and imported in Health Accounts Production Tool (HAPT) or other specific software used by the MOHMS for health accounts 2018-2019.
• • Data mapping and disaggregation estimations developed with MOHMS for health expenditure 2018-2019 for SHA 2011 core classifications (cross tables)
• • Final health accounts study 2018-2019, including methodological annex describing the estimation process for PHC spending.

Deliverable 1.1: Health accounts 2018-2019 database and output cross tables developed

Deliverable 1.2: Compendium of relevant PHC indicators and PHC spending estimates by cross tables

Output 2: Support MOHMS in drafting the national health accounts report 2018-2019 to inform policy making

• • Draft the Fiji national health accounts report 2018-2019 under guidance by WHO and in consultation with MOHMS
• • Contribute to the development of special chapters or policy briefs on the estimation of PHC spending
• • In discussion with WHO and MOHMS, identify challenges in improving data collection, quality and health accounts institutionalization in the context of Fiji and propose next steps to improve

Deliverable 2.1: Draft the Fiji health accounts report 2018-2019, including special chapter  PHC spending upon agreement with MOHMS

Deliverable 2.2: Technical notes on challenges of health accounts production and institutionalization

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The consultant will support the government in producing policy relevant analysis on the estimation of primary health care (PHC) spending with data available.The work will be guided by the methodological frameworks provided by WHO and will provide evidence to facilitate the ongoing health financing and health system policy dialogues in Fiji, as part of country’s efforts in moving towards the For the Future vision and universal health coverage (UHC).

ACTIVITY COORDINATION & REPORTING

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

• • Responsible Officer: Dr Akeem Ali, Co-Ordinator PHS, DPS
• • Manager: Dr Mark Jacobs, WR, Director DPS

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education:

A Masters/PhD degree in Economics, or Accounting, or Health Economics, or Social Sciences

Experience:

Over 7 years of experience in related field with a proven track record in ensuring sound research processes in data collection and analysis, preferably in the finance and budgeting field and with experience in the health sector.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• • Demonstrated mix of technical skills necessary for public finance and budgeting, public health finance, health economics, and governance including analysis of financial reforms and legislations used in the country.
• • Strong background in research methods and experience in the design, conduct and analysis of research studies (quantitative and qualitative).
• • Sound communication and interpersonal skills.

Language requirements:

Strong report writing skills in English

Competencies:

• • Teamwork
• • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences 
• • Communication 
• • Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• • Producing results
• • Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment

The selected consultant can work remotely unless required and agreed upon by mutual parties. In case travel to Fiji is required, WHO will cover the cost of travel including flights and per diems as appropriate.

Payment terms

Payment will be made in the following instalments reports:

• • 20% - Submission of an initial workplan
• • 50% - Completion of Deliverable 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 and submission of a report
• • 30% - Completion of Deliverable 2.1, and 2.2 and submission of a report

Medical clearance

The Consultant will need to produce a Certificate for fitness of work

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 2 June 2022. 

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. 174485 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

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