BACKGROUND

The Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) government’s main policy objectives since the COVID-19 outbreak are:

• • to safeguard our population from the COVID19 pandemic; 
• • to keep the domestic economy afloat by maintaining economic turnover and while ensuring that; 
• • set the foundation of sustainable development through the establishment of appropriate structural and institutional arrangements to facilitate and sustain a growth path for the economy in partnership with the private sector.

Under the social sector, the DCGA policy redirection will ensure that basic Health services and programs are strengthened by focusing available resources towards ongoing priorities within the health sector. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) recognizes the review of health professional legislations as a priority to regulate professional cadres and their practices to improve and strengthen health services to the people.

Nursing, being integral to the overall health service delivery, review of the Nursing Council Act is identified as a priority. This initiative is to ensure that the competencies and practice of the profession is improved and strengthened. 

Since the enactment of the Nursing council act in 1987 followed by its amendment in 1997, the act was reviewed in 2010 but did not progress to the Attorney General Chambers. The Nursing Regulation was also produced in 2017 and yet to be implemented.

Since the last reviews, and with the current pandemic situation and developments in nursing workforce both locally, regionally and at the international level, and with other related programs, the call now is to review the current legislation to strengthen the nursing profession as its contribution to health service delivery. The proposed review will be conducted with reference to the Role Delineation Policy (RDP) of MHMS, the National Health Strategic Plan, the recent review of the plan and the National Nursing Strategic Directions.  

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

Working closely with the WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) and HLE/WPRO in supporting Ministry of Health and Nursing Council Board in Solomon Islands in conducting a desk review of the Nursing Council Act 1987 and its amendment 1997.

The specific objectives of this technical assistance, with consideration of the country context (e.g. technical capacity, resource constraints, etc.), development in the health sector, and other ongoing initiatives related to health regulatory system strengthening, are the following:

• • To support the review of the Nursing Council Act 1987 and its amendment 1997 in order to identify areas for updating and/or reform to address nursing legislative and regulatory gaps;
• • To support in identifying legislative and policy options on how the country can best address the gaps, issues and other challenges; 
• • To develop Rationale for Nursing Legislation Reform based on review of the Act that discusses how the law reform is a necessary step in improving the country’s nursing workforce;
• • To develop a Discussion Paper on options for reform as well as brief the Executive on the resources necessary to achieve successful implementation; and
• • To develop a Plan to advance the proposed reforms, including identifying necessary TA support and other resources.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1: Support the review the Nursing Council Act 1987 and its amendment 1997 to identify areas for updating and/or reform

Deliverable 1.1: To conduct desk review the Nursing Council Act 1987 and its amendment 1997 and any other legislations that affect the regulation of nursing workforce in Solomon Islands

Deliverable 1.2: To submit/present Rationale for Nursing Legislation Reform to the MHMS and Nursing Council Board.

Output 2. Support identification of legislative and policy options to address current gaps and issues in the Nursing Council Act 1987 and its amendment 1997

Deliverable 2.1: To submit Nursing Legislation Discussion Paper for the Ministry of Health Senior Executive Management and Nursing Council Board, presenting options for reform and outlining questions for consideration by the Ministry and its stakeholders. This is to be accompanied by a brief for the MHMS Executive outlining considerations for implementation including indicative costing.

Deliverable 2.2: To develop a plan to advance the proposed reforms, including identifying necessary TA support and other resources.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The APW partner will support the Ministry of Health and Nursing Council Board and WHO to deliver the outputs. The review process shall be completed through a desk review and interviews/consultations with key officials and stakeholders as part of the review.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  Master’s level university degree in nursing and/or law or health sciences-related field from a university recognized in the International Association of Universities’ Worldwide Database of Higher Education Institutions, Systems and Credentials (WHED).

Desirable: Postgraduate qualification or PhD in nursing and/or law or health sciences-related field

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least seven years of experience in nursing policy and/or national regulations development

Desirable: Experience working with governments and in the Pacific

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Essential: Expert knowledge on nursing regulation and policy

LANGUAGES

Essential: Fluent in written and spoken English

COMPETENCIES

• • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• • Communicating in a credible and effective way
• • Producing results
• • Moving forward in a changing environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Expression of Interest should include the budget details based on the above listed deliverables.

Submitting a reply to a call for expression of interest for pre-qualification does not automatically guarantee receipt of the solicitation documents when issued. Invitations to Bid or Requests for Proposals and any subsequent purchase order or contract will be issued in accordance with the rules and procedures of WHO.

Contract duration is for 30 working days

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested experts should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < [email protected] > by 9 September 2021.

The individuals/institutions who have submitted ‘Expression of Interests’ for the previous ‘Call for interest’ vide Tender Notice No. 137181 that was closed on 20 Aug 2021 need not resubmit. 

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. 140542 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.