JOB DESCRIPTION
..
QUALIFICATIONS
Purpose of consultancy
The aim of this consultancy is to provide technical support to the institutionalization of National Health Accounts (NHA) in Tunisia to enable routine and regular production and application of NHA data to inform policy and resource allocation.
Background
National Health Accounts (NHA) is a standardized methodology developed by WHO and partners to measure and track health expenditure across and within countries over time. Analysis and use of NHA data can contribute to improved transparency and accountability, assess health system performance (efficiency, effectiveness, equity, sustainability, etc.), and guide future policies and investments by informing priority setting and resource allocation. Data from NHA is also used to report on progress on the financial protection dimension of universal health coverage (UHC) as articulated in Target 3.8.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The first NHA exercises were conducted by the National Institute of Public Health (l’Institut National de la Santé Publique, INSP), covering the years 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004, and 2005. These studies used the previous NHA methodology based on the System of Health Accounts 1.0. In 2014, Tunisia started producing NHA using the updated methodology System of Health Accounts 11 for the years 2012-2014. Since then, NHA has been produced for 2015 and 2019. Data collection and analysis is currently being conducted for 2020-2022.
Since 2014, WHO has provided technical support to introduce the NHA framework and build capacity of the NHA team to collect, validate, analyze, and present data using NHA methods and tools. The capacity of the team is now strong enough to produce reliable NHA data with limited technical support from WHO. The key remaining needs for support include the institutionalization of NHA to ensure sustainability and the integration of NHA data into regular decision-making processes to inform policies and resource allocation. WHO is therefore seeking the services of an international expert on NHA to support the WHO CO and MOH in advancing the NHA agenda in Tunisa.
Advertisement
There are three key objectives of the consultancy:
a. Provide targeted support to further build the technical capacity of the NHA team in specific areas such as analysis of health expenditures by disease.
b. Review institutional arrangements and legislative framework to identify gaps and recommend actions to address those gaps.
Develop a plan for how to systematically use NHA data and findings to inform policy, planning, and resource allocation in the health sector.
Deliverables
Output 1: Build the capacity and strengthen the skills of the NHA team in specific technical areas.
Deliverable 1.1: Conduct rapid needs assessment to identify areas for additional technical support and capacity building.
Deliverable 1.2: Delivery of in-person and online capacity building sessions for the NHA team in areas identified by the needs assessment.
Output 2: Review and development of action points to strengthen institutional Tunisia.
Deliverable 2.1: Review and prepare a summary note describing institutional arrangements for NHA data collection, analysis, and dissemination of results, including identification of any gaps in the legislative framework.
Deliverable 2.2: Decide on how to strengthen institutional arrangements and supporting legal framework to ensure sustainability of NHA in Tunisia.
Output 3: Conduct situation analysis and develop a plan to increase the relevance and systematic use of NHA data to inform policies and resource allocation.
Deliverable 3.1: Review and discuss with policy makers across sectors the current understanding of NHA’s potential to strengthen evidence-informed policy making and current use of NHA data to inform policy and planning.
Deliverable 3.2: Create adetailed plan with timeline, with proposed tools and processes, to demonstrate how the use of NHA data and results can practically be integrated into policy making processes.
Advertisement
Educational
Essential: Master’s degree in health economics or public health, or related field
Desirable: PhD in health economics or public health, or related field
Experience
Essential: Minimum 10 years of experience in providing technical support to low and middle-income countries on the analysis of health expenditure data using NHA methods and tools. International experience is mandatory.
Desirable: Experience of providing technical support for NHA in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Skills/Knowledge
· Expertise in NHA production (data collection, validation, analysis, and presentation).
· Solid command of the NHA software platform Health Accounts Production Tool (HAPT).
· Strong analytical skills, especially quantitative analysis of health system data.
· Robust understanding of health systems concepts and health financing functions.
· Strong experience in delivering capacity building activities to MOH and partners.
· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with partners in a team.
· Strong verbal and written communication skills.
· Proficiency in MS Office software applications.
Languages
Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Arabic.
Desirable: Working knowledge of French.
Location
Tunisia and remote online work
Travel
Travel to Tunisia may take place under this consultancy (to be decided in consultation with MOH).
Medical
A signed and stamped medical certificate is to be provided.
Remuneration and Expected duration of the contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year)
· Remuneration: at Band level “C”
· Expected duration of the contract: 5 months within this period: Start date: 15 March 2024 – End date: 31 August 2024.
WHO Competencies
Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:
A. Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.
B. All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided.
C. Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.
Additional information
- This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
- If your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
- WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and is committed to putting the WHO Values Charter into practice.
- WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment, and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment, or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
- Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
- WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions, or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions, and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.