RFP - Needs assessment for Pacific UHC Leadership Program

1. BACKGROUND

Progress towards building resilient health systems for universal health coverage (UHC) requires strong health leadership and commitment to systematically guide and drive multi-faceted actions within and beyond the health sector. However, many of the political and technical health leaders seldom receive hands-on orientation, training, or capacity building regarding the core concepts of UHC, health systems and programmes or the ‘health in all policies’ and other approaches. Such local country capacity is paramount for sustaining health gains, driving systems reforms and implementing the global and regional health agendas aligned with national priorities and context. 

The Pacific UHC Leadership Program is a proposed initiative of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO WPRO) aimed at enhancing health leadership capacity and understanding of universal health coverage principles in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). The UHC Leadership Program is envisaged to offer locally led leadership training, mentorship, and courses tailored to the needs of key audiences including Health Ministers, senior Ministry of Health officials/ policy makers and mid-level health managers in Pacific Island countries. 

The Pacific UHC Leadership Program is envisaged to be based in one of the universities in the Region- it is a platform and a concept, rather than a physical structure.

It aims to address the specific needs in the Pacific, while providing up-to-date knowledge and skills to foster innovative approaches for advancing UHC in Pacific Island countries. The courses will cover UHC principles, sustainable financing and governance for health systems transformation, evidence informed investments in health and health security, production, development, and management of health workforce, leveraging digital health and innovations, integrated health information and services, and approaches to multisectoral action on health including mitigation of climate change (amongst others). 

A comprehensive capacity needs assessment is required to inform the design and development of the Pacific UHC Leadership Program. This needs assessment will serve as a foundational step in gauging the appetite, understanding the needs, and tailoring the UHC Leadership Program’s curriculum and activities to address the specific challenges and opportunities within the health sector in Pacific Island Countries.

2. PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The Universal Health Coverage unit under Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) Group is looking for an agency or institution with a strong track record in conceptualizing robust field assessments, and capacity to apply a sound methodological approach to conduct a capacity needs assessment for the Pacific UHC Leadership Program, aimed at enhancing health leadership capacity and understanding of universal health coverage principles in the Pacific Island Countries. The UHC Leadership Program is envisaged to offer locally led leadership training, mentorship, and courses tailored to the needs of key audiences including Health Ministers, senior Ministry of Health officials/policy makers and mid-level health managers in Pacific Island countries.

3. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1: Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment in Pacific Island Countries

• Deliverable 1.1: Identify capacity gaps and training needs among health leadership cadres with a particular focus on Health Ministers, senior Ministry of Health officials, and mid-level health managers

Output 2: Stakeholder engagement 

• Deliverable 2.1: Engage with key stakeholders, including government ministries, academic institutions and universities, Secretariat for Pacific Community (SPC), international health organizations, NGOs, and private sector organizations, to gather insights and perspectives on the gaps, challenges, and opportunities/appetite for health leadership and UHC in the Region.

Output 3: Deliver a final report 

• Deliverable 3.1: Provide a detailed report that includes the background, methods, key findings, recommendations, and actionable insights to inform the design and development of the Pacific UHC Leadership Program. This should include key areas and options for course curriculum as well as frequency and methods of delivery tailored to the specific needs of various cadres/audience in the Pacific Island countries.

4. METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

• Develop and implement a robust methodological approach that includes both qualitative and quantitative research methods, surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and literature reviews, as necessary.

• Provide a detailed timeline that outlines key milestones and activities of the needs assessment, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Prepare a comprehensive budget that covers all expenses related to the needs assessment, including travel, personnel, data collection tools, and reporting. Activities to be conducted remotely using digital and communication technologies to the extent possible, physical travel requires strong justification.

5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

Essential: 

• Demonstrated experience in conducting similar field assessments, preferably in the health sector and within Pacific Island Countries.

• Established networks and partnerships within Pacific Island Countries, including relevant government agencies, universities, regional agencies, donors and health organizations.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

• Proven expertise in research methodology, quantitative and qualitative data collection, and analysis.

• Ability to provide a high-quality product within the proposed timeline and in efficient manner.

• Technical and institutional capacity to deliver a comprehensive final report with actionable recommendations.

LANGUAGES

• Fluent in written and spoken English

COMPETENCIES

• Communication

• Planning

• Organizing 

• Teamwork

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Place of assignment: Remote

The selected agency or institution will work with the WHO WPRO, Data, Strategy and Innovation Group (Manila, Philippines) and Division of Pacific Support, (Suva, Fiji). 

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested agencies or institutions are invited to submit their Expressions of Interest to the Supply Officer through WPRO UNGM at wproungm@who.int by 31 October 2023. 

The Expression of Interest should include the following:

• Cover letter outlining their interest, experience and institutional capacity that make them suitable to deliver this work.

• A detailed proposal outlining the approach and methodology for conducting the needs assessment, including a budget and timelines. Key focus on the methodology and approach

• Curriculum Vitaes of key team members

• 2 references from previous clients or partners

Please use Tender Notice No. Tender No. 217089  as subject to all submission. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for further discussions or presentations. Only successful candidates will be contacted.