BACKGROUND

Operational research that MoH has conducted in 2021-2022 in Lao PDR communities has shown that crucial factors in deciding how and why communities relates to health providers depended on the trust between the community and the health system as well as trust of local officials and leaders (champions) who are aware of and actively pursue health enhancements.

The CONNECT (Community Network eNgagement for Essential healthcare and COVID-19 Reponses through Trust) initiative is designed to empower citizens and local officials to seek health solutions that are realized together for their community. The initiative aims to collaborate with local officials through the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) to prepare for, prevent and respond to the potential widespread transmission of COVID-19 and enhance community health beyond COVID-19 to achieve Universal Health Coverage and health-related Sustainable Development Goals. CONNECT was developed for MoH and MoHA to jointly orchestrate a multi-sectoral coordinated approach through strengthening local governance to leverage community resources to collectively respond to health issues particular to that community. Lao TPHI is supporting this initiative through generating evidence on effective community engagement.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

• • To develop capacity of and provide technical support to Lao Tropical & Public Health Institute (TPHI), Mother and Child Health Centre (MCHC), Ministry of Home Affairs and other potential stakeholders in assessing, developing evidence and documenting the findings from the CONNECT initiative in empowering communities to develop plans for responding to COVID-19, improve relationships and trust with health services for essential healthcare, and strengthen local governance for COVID-19 response.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

• • A detailed analysis of the methodology and approach of community engagement research and intervention and its impact in causing change in community approaches to essential health care and COVID-19 responses
• • Multimedia communication outputs in collaboration with videographer to disseminate the actions and impacts of CONNECT
• • Input to WHO technical report and/or regional joint publication to explore the relevance of community engagement work within the context of COVID-19 in Western Pacific Region

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

• • Qualitative data analysis
• • Technical writing
• • Reviewing and helping develop visual media and other communication products
• • Use of evaluation tools
• • Literature reviews

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

• Advanced degree in anthropology or social science          

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• • Minimum of 5 years of experience in health programme and social science research
• • Experience in community engagement and research in rural communities in Laos
• • Previous publication output in peer-reviewed journals
• • Experience in managing research communications
• • Experience of collaborating and working remotely

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Analysing qualitative data to produce evidence-based outputs
• • Producing written reports to a high standard
• • Ability to utilise evidence and theory from social science in guiding health interventions
• • Ability to communicate and disseminate research findings through a variety of mediums

LANGUAGES

• • Excellent spoken/written English, and adequate spoken Lao

COMPETENCIES

• • Technical expertise
• • Overall attitude at work
• • Ability to work harmoniously as part of a team
• • Producing results
• • Sensitivity to working in diverse cultures

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• • Duration of contract is 50 days from January to June 2022
• • Remote work

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < [email protected] > by 6 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. 156543 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.