Assessment and Implement Essential Health Services Package (EHSP) in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) through midwifery

BACKGROUND

WHO has been supporting the ministry of health in Lao PDR to assess and implement Essential Health Service Package (EHSP), especially in the area of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH). WHO has been supporting the process through identifying gaps between what midwives are expected through EHSP and what services midwives are empowered to provide under existing policies on midwifery regulations and competencies. This consultancy is expected to continue WHO’s support to align policy-practice gaps to improve effective and efficient provision of EHSP in RMNCAH areas. The consultant is expected to: (1) support the government to identify and implement health system solutions to address policy and policy-practice gaps in provision of Essential Health Services Package (EHSP) in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) through midwifery; (2) establish sustainable mechanism to update database of EHSP to systematically reflect EHSP on regulatory policies and education; and (3) Assess gaps and identify health system solutions in referral care to improve effective provision of EHSP across healthcare facility types.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The consultant will support the government to identify and implement health system solutions to address policy and policy-practice gaps in provision of Essential Health Services Package (EHSP) in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) through midwifery; Establish sustainable mechanism to update database of EHSP to systematically reflect EHSP on regulatory policies and education; Assess gaps and identify health system solutions in referral care to improve effective provision of EHSP across healthcare facility types.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Support MOH on the following activities with the RMC team in WHO Lao CO

• • Support the government to identify and implement health system solutions to address policy and policy-practice gaps in provision of Essential Health Services Package (EHSP) in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) through midwifery.
• • Central and regional dissemination workshops of new scope of midwifery practice held
  • • Concept note and workplan of identified health system interventions based on the result policy gap and policy-practice gap analysis of EHSP service delivery by midwives
  • • Implementation report of identified health system interventions based on the result policy gap and policy-practice gap analysis of EHSP service delivery by midwives
• • Establish sustainable mechanism to update database of EHSP to systematically reflect EHSP on regulatory policies and education.
  • • Concept note on ICT based EHSP database for systematic and timely adjustment of health workforce policy to be shared with WPRO and ICT engineer
  • • Preliminary version of ICT based EHSP database for systematic and timely adjustment of health workforce policy
• • Assess gaps and identify health system solutions in referral care to improve effective provision of EHSP across healthcare facility types.
  • • A report of implementation assessment and identified system solution of referral in Intrapartum care

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

• • Meetings with the government counterparts, other stakeholders including Lao Association of Midwives and WHO Laos country office
• • Hold workshops in central and provinces
• • Conduct assessment of implementation of the revised scope of midwifery practice
• • Coordinate with WPRO to develop Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based EHSP database for systematic and timely adjustment of health workforce policies and education
• • Design other health system interventions to address barriers for midwives to deliver ESHP at primary health care setting
• • Compilation and analysis of collected data on the assessment of implementation of referral
• • Development and dissemination of referral and remote communication guideline
• • Develop relevant reports
• • Contribute to publication work
• • Other related work as per request by the hiring manager

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

• • Essential:  Bachelor’s degree in public health or medical science (midwife, medicine, or nursing)
• • Desirable: Master’s degree in public health or medical science (midwife, medicine, or nursing)

EXPERIENCE

• • Essential: Minimum 5 years of working experience in RMNCAH area (both public health and clinical experiences)
• • Desirable: Working experience in midwifery and prior working experience in Lao health system

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Computer skills (Microsoft excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Google sheet)
• • Translation of documents

LANGUAGES

• • Essential: Fluency in English and Knowledge of Lao language is appreciated.

COMPETENCIES

• • Strong communication skills, strategic thinking, writing and presentation
• • Coordination skills
• • Producing results with quality on time

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Duration of contract

215 days from July 2022 to June 2023

Travel

• The consultant is expected to travel according to itinerary and suggested schedule (to be confirmed)

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV 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. 174497 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.