BACKGROUND

The consultant will coordinate the significantly increasing workload related to health system strengthening (HSS) in the Solomon Islands. S/he will be responsible for technical assistance and provide critical support to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) in progressing reforms in health sector.  The work has strong primary health care and integrated service delivery focus to ensure system reforms drive improved service delivery coverage, quality, and equity. The WHO implements various programs with strong health system component, thus furthering integrated service delivery across the programs is a paramount. S/he will also support the WHO Representative in health systems strengthening efforts in the country focusing on the provision of technical leadership and policy advisory services to the Member State.

WHO Country Office Solomon is part of WHO Western Pacific Region. Under the leadership of WHO Representative, the incumbent works directly with the National Government to facilitate coordinated approaches in the implementation of the various projects and initiatives within the mandates of the different WHO programmes. The consultant will effectively collaborate with the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific and support global and regional initiatives for achieving universal health coverage.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

This consultancy will support WHO Country Office in Solomon Islands to provide the Government with policy advice and technical assistance in health system strengthening. The consultant will be developing evidence-informed strategies, policies and plans related to the country’s health system. The incumbent will work on implementing health systems workplan in the WHO country office and contribute to strengthening partnership to enable delivery of health systems strengthening programmes at country level.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output/s

Output 1: Provide technical advice to Government in developing and implementing evidence-informed policy options and systems strengthening.

Deliverable 1.1. Coordination of finalization of the NHSP 2022-2026.  Provide technical coordination of the content & in-country work and logistics. Ensure national priorities and Primary Health Care reform under the Role Delineation Policy, are reflected, and integrated into the Strategy.

Deliverable 1.2. Coordinate the finalization and provide technical assistance to develop the Implementation Plan for the Digital Health Strategy.

Deliverable 1.3. Provide policy and technical advice and capacity building to national counterparts to implement health system strengthening;

Deliverable 1.4. Advise WHO Country Office (WCO) team in development and effective implementation of workplans and core priorities on health systems.

Output 2: Provide technical assistance to WHO Representative in developing effective relationships with government, development partners and WHO Regional and DPS Offices, to enable delivery of health systems strengthening programmes.

Deliverable 2.1:  Provide technical assistance to the Head of WHO country office (HWO) in developing and maintaining effective relationships with relevant partners/stakeholders and other UN agencies and in taking a leadership role in coordinating partners and UN agencies as appropriate.

Deliverable 2.2: Support coordination with the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific and support global and regional initiatives through joint planning and missions with a specific focus on the development and implementation of health systems priorities;

Deliverable 2.3: Provide technical guidance to health systems team to collaborate with, consult and advise development partners and other WHO technical teams;

Deliverable 2.4 Advise on update and finalization of the SWAP agreement and assist HWO in convening health partner meetings and promote networking;

Deliverable 2.5: Provide policy advice to HWO through review and analysis of documents, strategies and business needs related to health policy and governance (situation analysis, priority setting, costing and budgeting the plan, monitoring and evaluation).

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

Postgraduate degree (Master’s equivalent) in public health particularly on health system, health policy and planning, health system development, health services management, health financing or health economics or related field from a recognized university. 

Desirable:

Training in public policy, development studies, health service development, health financing, health policy and management or programme evaluation

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

Minimum ten years' experience in managing public health programmes or health services planning and development at national and international level and at least five years at senior level.

Desirable:

Relevant experience in a national level and/or international organization or bilateral development partner or nongovernmental organizations.  Experience in developing countries, and PICs an asset.  Working knowledge of WHO/UN system.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Knowledge of the specific or technical area of public health;
• • Health planning at operational, subnational, and national levels, with political and technical elements;
• • Capacity-building through multiple methods, including training, mentoring and example setting;
• • Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct;
• • Ability to demonstrate gender equity and cultural appropriateness in the delivery of services to Member States.

LANGUAGES

Excellent written and oral English

COMPETENCIES

1. Fostering integration and teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communicating in a credible and effective way
4. Knowing and managing yourself
5. Producing results
6. Moving forward in changing environment
7. Setting an example

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment:

Honiara, Solomon Islands

Travel:

The Consultant is expected to travel according to the itinerary and estimated schedule that would be agreed with WHO Country Office, pending dialogue with national counterparts.

Contract duration:

1 February 2022—31 July 2022

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 31 December 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. 159849 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.