Consultant to review staffing norms

HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING FOR HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

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REQUEST FOR CURRICULUM VITAE FOR A CONSULTANT FOR REVIEWING OF STAFFING NORMS FOR THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

KINGDOM OF ESWATINI

Reference Number: SZ-MOH-316815-CS-INDV

1.0 Project Background

To meet the National Health Sector Strategic Plan’s (NHSSP II 2019-23) policy objective – “build an efficient, equitable, client-centered health system for accelerated attainment of the highest standard of health for all people in Eswatini” – the MOH recognizes the need to invest in health system strengthening to improve the coverage of essential services and the quality of care. Modernizing the foundations of the health system and applying evidence-based improvements are key to achieving better quality care and, through that, reduced child and adult mortality and stunting for human capital formation.

To address key sector challenges in the health sector, the MOH is implementing the HSS4HCDP with the aim of improving the coverage and quality of key reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH), nutrition and non-communicable disease (NCD) services (hypertension and diabetes) in Eswatini. The project focuses on strengthening the health system and ramping up investments in RMNCAH, nutrition and NCD services to address critical human capital challenges, including stunting and child and adult mortality, applying a life course approach. The project includes the following components: Component 1. Improve health service delivery to increase the coverage and quality of health services to build human capital; Component 2. Increase community demand for RMNCAH, nutrition and NCD services; Component 3. Strengthen the MOH’s stewardship capacity to manage essential health and nutrition services and project activities; and Component 4: Contingent Emergency Response Component.

The project is complementary to the Eswatini COVID-19 ERP and is designed to deepen and extend the COVID-19 ERP’s investment impact through focusing on medium-term structural changes and the modernization of the health sector.

2.0 Background to the assignment

In any health system, health workers are core in the provision of quality health care services. Health worker’s shortage is commonly viewed as a major contributor to poor health service delivery and understanding ways to address the problem is crucial to health stakeholders and policy makers.

The MOH is committed to providing quality health services which is primarily dependent on optimally functioning health facilities that are characterized by a competent workforce, Optimal numbers, required equipment, infrastructure, availability of medicines/drugs and supplies, management systems, among others. Proper management of these functions is a critical determinant of the quality of service the facility provides, hence a need for the right numbers.

The MOH staffing norms are derived from the health worker staffing norms analysis conducted in 2015 by Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the Human Resources Alliance for Africa (HRAA), in partnership with the WHO, with funding from PEPFAR and updated in February 2016. However, it is outdated and does not reflect the current status. The MOH is, therefore, seeking the services of a reputable consultant to review the existing staffing norms and identify appropriate skills and competencies required to efficiently deliver quality health care.

3.0 Objectives of the consultancy

The objectives of the consultancy are to:

• Guide human resource distribution and deployment decisions at the public health institutions based on objective criteria including population norms, health needs, service delivery capacity and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop standard health workload components and available working times for health workers
• Develop a monitoring & evaluation framework and also monitor how close different implementation health levels are to the attainment of required number of health work force for effective health service delivery
• Ensure better incorporation of attrition, current vacancies, payroll, retirement plans, and exit.
• Improve the accuracy and completeness of forecasting data and institutionalize health workforce planning and forecasting.
• Qualifications and Experience
• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Public Health / Human Resources Management / Public Administration / Economics.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant progressive management/leadership position experience.
• Minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience in leadership development of senior (Executive level) staff, of which a minimum of 10 years must be a senior leadership development consultant.
• Demonstrable experience in Training needs assessment is a requirement.
• Good understanding of the Eswatini Health System and fluency in English would be an added advantage.
• Reporting:

The Consultant will work with Ministry of Health Human Resources Unit and key stakeholders and report to the Under Secretary Administration and the Project Coordinator.

• Duration of Service The period of the assignment is six (6) weeks

7.0 APPLICATIONS:

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; 2nd Floor Ministry of Justice Building, Mbabane. Postal address: The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health P.O. Box 5; Mbabane, Eswatini.

Electronic applications should be sent to Project Coordinator; [email protected] copy to [email protected] and [email protected] no later than 11.00 hours on

12th October, 2022. All applications will be acknowledged but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Contacts: (00268) 24045514; (00268) 24042431