BACKGROUND

Reaching the unreached is a global, regional and Malaysian health policy priority in line with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, a commitment to universal health coverage and the aim of ensuring no one is left behind.  The Malaysian health system is well established and delivers a comprehensive range of services through a combination of public and private providers. Malaysia has demonstrated much success in many areas, including reducing the burden of many communicable diseases, such as malaria and HIV and many childhood illnesses. However, a few diseases have remained persistent and others have emerged to become an increasing challenge, including some non-communicable and communicable diseases, and mental health issues. Furthermore, as in many countries, some people are missed through the current system and together with inequities in the social determinants of health (such as income, education level, gender, ethnicity and geographical location) this contributes to inequitable health outcomes among different populations groups. In recognising that progress has not equally benefitted all population groups, countries are now striving to achieve ‘the last mile’, reach the unreached, and complete the work of preventing and eliminating morbidity, mortality and disability caused by communicable diseases and conditions that reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promotion of mental health and wellbeing.

WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific has identified ‘Reaching the Unreached’ as one of four thematic priorities for working with Member States to make the Western Pacific Region the healthiest and safest Region.  To support this, the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) has developed a draft Framework for Reaching the Unreached in the Western Pacific Region, which will be tested and adapted in collaboration with WHO Representative Offices and Member States.   The Framework is: underpinned by a systems approach; recognises the importance of understanding the political, social, cultural and economic determinants influencing who is unreached; encourages learning from and building on successful initiatives, including from vertical programmes; and recognises the importance of harnessing the potential of ‘ground up’ solutions and innovation. 

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, in collaboration with key stakeholders and the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) is undertaking work to strengthen health systems to reach unreached populations in order to address remaining inequities in health outcomes.  This consultancy is to provide technical support to this initiative in collaboration with WHO colleagues and other stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

A. Coordinating the ground work required to inform further development of the Reaching the Unreached initiative in Malaysia

• • Conduct consultations will all Country Office technical teams, and review relevant data and literature, to identify and map:
  • Key priority groups, issues, gaps and challenges
  • Existing initiatives to reach the unreached and lessons identified from successful initiatives
• • Convene a meeting of technical teams to:
  •  identify cross cutting issues and potential synergies and opportunities for cross-program integration
  • Develop and implement a process for developing solutions and recommendations

B. Desk review of existing major initiatives and activities conducted in the country that address Reaching the Unreached

• • Identify and map key priority groups, issues, gaps and challenges at the national level
• • Identify and map stakeholders and implementing agencies from the Ministry of Health, other Ministries, research and academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations and other UN agencies

C. Support engagement with the Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders

• • Develop a communications strategy for engagement with stakeholders
• • Initiate a top-down approach of engagement with the Ministry of Health
• • Identify key informants and conduct key informant interviews

D. Support development of a plan of work to progress actions for Reaching the Unreached in Malaysia

• • Draft, in consultation with the Country Office focal person, a plan for a program of work for Reaching the Unreached in Malaysia, in line with the Regional framework
• • Engage with stakeholders for review and feedback

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Outputs and deliverables

Output 1: Inception report

Deliverable 1.1: Workplan for conduct of the consultancy, including timelines and list of resources.

Output 2. Landscape report on the mapping of Reaching the Unreached in Malaysia

Deliverable 2.1: Report on WHO Country Office progress on Reaching the Unreached in Malaysia

Deliverable 2.2: Report on literature and desk-based review, including key informant input, of situational analysis of Reaching the Unreached in Malaysia

Output 3. Plan of work for Reaching the Unreached in Malaysia

Deliverable 2.1: Report on the plan of work for Reaching the Unreached in Malaysia

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION 

Essential:  University degree from a recognised university (may include medical, health sciences, anthropology, social science, public health, epidemiology)

Desirable: Degree in international/global health policy

EXPERIENCE

Essential: Minimum 5 years work experience in public health, health policy and/or health systems development at the national, sub-national or local level

Desirable: Experience working in Malaysia, especially within the Malaysian health system

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Essential:

• • Equity related skills and knowledge, including an understanding of the factors that contribute to inequities, capability in equity analysis and in development of solutions to address equity issues
• • Health system and health policy and programme analysis
• • Excellent communication skills
• • Writing skills

Desirable: Data collection, compilation and visualization skills

LANGUAGES
Essential:  A good knowledge of English (Read-Write-Speak)

Desirable: Knowledge of Malay

COMPETENCIES

• • Technical expertise
• • Communication
• • Moving forward in a changing environment
• • Producing results

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Contract duration:  1 October 2021 (30 days)

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists 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 24 September 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. 144535 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.