Consultant to review the Somaliland National Health Policy, Hargaisa - THET

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Consultant to review the Somaliland National Health Policy and develop the Health Sector Strategic Plan

Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET)
THET is an international development organisation committed to improving health services across Africa and Asia. In Somaliland, we work with the government and various partner organisations, including Kings College Hospital, to rebuild the country's health systems following years of insecurity. THET's work in Somaliland has a particular focus on Maternal and Child Health.
Closing date: 24 Feb 2011
Location: Somalia - Somaliland-Hargeisa

Consultant to review the Somaliland National Health Policy and develop Health Sector Strategic Plan

Background

- Somaliland health indicators are among the worst in the world. Investment in remains heavily weighted towards uncoordinated vertical interventions. In 1999 a draft document of national health policy was developed. Further health policy documents have been developed including, in 2009, a blueprint for a coordinated health system approach, called the “Essential Package of Health Services” (EPHS), a reproductive health policy etc
- The Somaliland government now wishes to revise the national health policy to take account of current priorities, recent policy developments and future planning needs; and thereafter to develop the long term vision strategic plan for the health sector.

Expected duration: 8 weeks split into two consecutive visits

Place of work: Hargeisa, Somaliland

Reports to: MoH and THET

General scope for the consultancy

To support the Government of Somaliland efforts through the Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Development Planning and their development partners to review the national health policy and later alone a subsequent costed Health sector strategic plan. With the support from the ad hoc technical steering committee, the consultant will ensure that the policy and strategy documents are adapted to the current and future context of Somaliland.
The new revised national health policy will include the concepts of EPHS and other relevant strategic policy documents and directives like national Health policy draft document, Reproductive Health Policy, Gender framework documents, Human resource policy, etc..to allow the Government to achieve his mission and goals related to health sector and indirectly to achieve the MDGs and other important national and international commitments.

Main assignments

The main Assignments for the Consultant are as follows:

1. Review all existing policy documents, directives, ministerial instructions, ministerial procedures, relevant information and to identify weaknesses, gaps, contradictory and conflicting messages with the aim to review the policy that reflects the real needs of the health sector in Somaliland;
2. In conjunction with Planning Department in MoH, facilitate a national stakeholder consultation process on status of health sector situational analysis vision; mission and strategy (roadmap)
3. Review the health sector policy and elaborate the long term vision strategy;
4. Cost the long term health sector strategic plan;
5. Produce a draft of agreed reviewed document of policy and elaborated strategy to be presented to an ad hoc technical team for comments;
6. Integrate the corrections given by the technical team;
7. Present the final documents to the GoSL/MoH and partners in a validation workshop;
8. Submit the final policy and strategic plan to MOH for endorsement
9. Provide technical advice to key staff of the ministry in developing health policies, guidelines, regulations, and advocacy mechanisms for the different programs of the health sector;

Process & Deliverables

The consultant will have to deliver the following products:

1. A work plan and calendar, detailing the policy review process, methodology and highlighting major milestones, developed in consultation process with the MoH and THET.
2. Organization of the national stakeholders consultation to brainstorm on the revisions to be made on the current policy and to define health sector programs area/ priorities
3. An outline of the revised policy and Strategic Plan will be submitted.
4. A first draft of the new revised policy will be submitted to the technical Committee
5. A first draft of the costed Health Sector strategic plan will be produced and submitted for comments to the technical committee
6. Final health policy that includes the inputs from (i) the technical Committee and (ii) from the consultation processes and the validation workshop
7. Final costed long term strategic plan that includes the inputs from (i) the technical Committee and (ii) from the validation workshop

Final Outputs

- Documented consultation process to review the national health policy and define the health sector priorities/program areas to be articulated on in the long term vision strategy
- Completed reviewed national health policy ;
- Completed a costed health sector long term strategic plan
- Documentation of how MoH staff were involved in the process and report training on the development of health strategy implementation plan

Work arrangements

A National technical Committee will be established by the MoH; the consultant will further establish a consultation mechanism to ensure sufficient and effective participation of all stakeholders throughout the policy development process. However the consultant will work on daily basis with and under direct supervision of the Heath Systems and Capacity Building Manager at THET and Director of Planning in the MoH.
The consultancy will be funded by THET through the contract and will be managed by the MoH /DoP. Therefore, level of payment will be determined by the profile of the candidates, in accordance with the THET rules and procedures. In country trips for shall be at the expense of THET, either by providing necessary transport accommodations or pay transportation fees including the daily subsistence allowance in accordance with its rules and regulations on the matter. Other incremental costs shall be procured by THET or reimbursed upon justification

Person Specification: Qualifications Required

- Education:

The consultant should have at least a Masters Degree in Health or Social Sciences though a PhD would be preferred;

- Experience:

- At least 10 years international experience in health policy development specifically in developing countries;
- The consultant should have demonstrated experience in writing policy and strategic documents.
- Commitment to adhere Somaliland ministry of health ethos and values;
- Experience in mentoring the capacity of the health workers and institutions in developing countries
- Experience in mainstreaming gender in to the health policy/systems
- Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and ability to work with and coach senior and junior staff from different institutions
- Developing countries experience in the area of health policy development is a requisite;

- Language:

The consultant should fluently read, write and speak English.

- Starting period

Be ready to start work immediately and in any case not later than 15th March 2011.
How to apply
To apply, please send a CV with 5 most recent similar works, three referees with their contact details and a one page covering letter to THET, 1 Wimpole Street (5th Floor), London, W1G 0AE or by email to rach@thet.org.
Reference Code: RW_8DTGJY-93