Request for Curriculum Vitae for a Consultant to Develop a National Healthcare Financing Policy

REQUEST FOR CURRICULUM VITAE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL HEALTH CARE FINANCING POLICY AND STRATEGY.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Government of Swaziland (GOS) has emphasized health as a priority on the national agenda. The 2009 National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP) identifies critical areas in the health sector that require support, and aims to improve poor healthoutcomes and inefficiencies. The World Bank and EU-financed Health, HIV/AIDS and TB project supports the Government in its commitment to improve the health status of the Swazi population. Specifically, the project will: (i) Strengthening the capacity of the health system, ii) improve access to, and quality of health services in Swaziland, with a particular focus on primary health care, maternal health and TB, and (ii) increase social safetynet access for OVC.

The MOH now invites interested, qualified candidates to indicate their interest in providing technical support and services under this consultancy. Selection shall be on the basis of examination and comparison of the qualifications of the individual candidates as evidenced by their CVs. The selected individual shallbe requested to submit a costed offer to undertake the work

OBJECTIVE

The main objective is to develop a comprehensive national health care financing policy and strategy, and define a set of different health services financing options that will increase operational efficiency, effectiveness and ensure equitable access to healthcare services.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

i. Conduct a literature review on all relevant health care financing policies and models from the international literature and specific experience in Sub- Saharan Africa and other middle-income countries for comparison

ii. Conduct a literature review on official documents produced by government agencies and development partners in Swaziland such as the 2007 National Health Policy, 2008-2013 (NHSSP), the Annual Budget performance report, Budget estimate book, essential health care package, service availability mapping, finance studies etc., including but not limited to the WHO,EU, World Bank, MSF, PEPFAR, CHAI, African Development Bank, etc.

iii. Conduct a series of consultations with relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to:

• Ministry of Health officials in charge of health financing.

• Ministry of Health Regional Administrators.

• Policy Makers, Legislators and other relevant governmental bodies.

• International Partners (WHO, Clinton Health Access Initiative, ICAP, United Nations Development Programme and other UN agencies related to health care access and financing, PEPFAR etc.).

• Ministries of Finance and Economic Planning and Development.

• Private Sector.

iv. Assist in improving the quantity and quality of information of health financing in general in Swaziland

v. Conduct training workshop with MOH health planning unit, regional health administrators, senior management and sectoral officers from central agencies on Health financing policies and models emphasizing the proposed policy and models for Swaziland.

vi. Prepare a national health financing policy, working with the focal person in the health planning unit and assigned task team, including the definition of the most suitable models for PHC and Hospitals financing in Swaziland context, as well as the required set of tools and the outline of the basic regulatory framework for each selected health financing model.

vii. Prepare a presentation on the proposed health financing policy, and selected models (tools and outlinedbasic regulatory framework) to relevant MOH staff and stakeholders.

viii. Define the criteria for the implementation of the proposed new health care financing policy and health care services financing models.

ix. Prepare all the necessary documents, tools, and basic regulatory framework, which will include the logic framework, implementation plan and M&E framework for the selected health care financing models.

x. Build capacity of Health Planning unit officials in the usage of the different models for health care financing (PHC & Hospitals).

xi. Develop an organizational and functional (including professional profiles and capacity requirements) proposal to establish a health financing sub-unit within the health Planning Unit of the MOH.

xii. Coordinate, collaborate and act as a facilitator of the health financing Technical Working Group to assist in formulation of the new national health sector Strategic Plan 2014-2019.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE.

i) Master's degree in Public Health, Health Economics, Development Economics, Business Administration or equivalent qualification.

ii) Experience of not less than seven (7) years in health care financing policy formulation, as well as in development of health care services financing models (Including PHC and Hospitals) in developing countries. Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa would be an added advantage.

iii) Experience in training and capacity building on health care financing policies and models.

iv) Ability to analyze problems, make recommendations andpresent proposals for improvement or changes in policies and procedures;

v) Fully capable of managing computer programs for productivity (Word, Excel, Power point, Access etc.), and knowledge on statistical analysis software.

vi) Excellent level of communication written and verbal in English, experienced in report writing.

APLICATIONS:

Submit a detailed copy of updated curriculum vitae (duties inclusive), references and scanned copies of notarized academic or professional certifications.Application should be addressed to: The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health; 7th Floor Dlan'ubeka Building, Mbabane. Postal address: ThePrincipal Secretary, Ministry of Health P.O. Box 5; Mbabane, Swaziland.

Electronic applications should be sent to Project Coordinator; [email protected] copy to [email protected] no later than 8th November, 2013. All applications will be acknowledged but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Contacts: (00268) 24048840; (00268) 240425557