STC on health financing matrix

1. Background: WHO has recently developed a Health Financing Progress Matrix, which is a tool to help countries to better monitor progress of their health financing systems. The progress matrix consists of the health financing functions and other major components of the health financing system which may influence UHC intermediate objectives and goals (please see details of the progress matrix with this link: https://www.who.int/health_financing/events/strengthening-health-systems-through-progress-matrices/en/). Application of the progress matrix aims to assess the development of the country’s health financing system and help identify potential areas for intervention to improve health financing policy and its implementation. The health financing progress matrices build on the WHO health system framework for UHC with the final UHC goals as part of the SDG agenda. The progress matrices now form the standard approach by WHO to assess country level progress in health financing policy and supplement the quantitative SDG indicators 3.8.1 and 3.8.2. As Viet Nam undergoes major health sector and health financing reforms, completion of the progress matrix serves as a baseline assessment to then monitor further developments over time. 2.Work to be performed Method(s) to carry out the activity The work will involve two stages of completing the health financing assessment and include a desk review of current health financing policies and other key references (e.g. National Health Accounts reports, provincial budget and expenditure analyses, and provincial health budget briefs), in-depth interpretation of the policies and their implementation. To complete the health financing progress matrix, the consultant will lead a team with relevant national government stakeholders in the Ministry of health and other Ministries (e.g. Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Viet Nam Social Security) and development partners to collect and analyse the qualitative and quantitative information. More specifically, this entails the following tasks:

Completion of Stage 1 on a summary overview of the health financing system. This stage should draw primarily on existing analyses and information e.g. consultant will be expected to conduct a literature review, although additional information, updates and some verification are required with detailed referencing.
Completion of Stage 2 on a more detailed health financing landscape. The task is to complete the complex questions on health financing functions and goals, and supplement where possible (e.g. mapping of health financing system architecture: institutions, organizational set up and financial flows, outlining the evolution of health expenditure in Viet Nam, and health security related health financing) using qualitative and quantitative data. The consultant will be expected to conduct and lead focus group discussions or interviews with relevant stakeholders to support the completion of the questions. Once the progress matrix is completed, the consultant will lead and organize a consultation with relevant government partners and other stakeholders.

Output/s Under the overall supervision of UHC-HLE Team Leader, the consultant will work directly with relevant government stakeholders on the following outputs: Output 1: Effective support provided to complete Step 1 of the Health Financing Progress Matrix Is Deliverable 1 – Summary overview of health financing situation in Viet Nam, including financing for health security (by 31 July 2020) Output 2: Effective support to complete Step 2 of the Health Financing Progress Matrix Deliverable 2 – Completed draft of the Health Financing Progress Matrix for review and feedback leading the consultation process with relevant government partners and other stakeholders (by 31 August 2020) Deliverable 3 – Final completed Health Financing Progress Matrix (by 18 September 2020) 3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation) Start date: 10 July 2020 End date: 30 September 2020 The consultancy contract is for 30 days (7 days for Step 1 and 23 days for Step 2). 4. Specific requirements a. Qualifications required: Essential: Master’s degree in relevant areas including health financing, health economics, health policy, health administration, or social science from a recognised university. Desirable: Doctoral degree in relevant areas including health financing, health economics, health policy, health administration, or social science from a recognised university. b. Experience required: Essential: At least 15 years of experience in health financing (e.g. health financing functions, public financial management, benefit package design, etc.), health policy, and health systems. Desirable: Prior experience of working with the Government of Viet Nam or in the Western Pacific Region on health financing related issues will be considered an advantage. c. Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Strong qualitative, analytical, and communication skills
Ability to write clearly and effectively
Knowledge of the health financing system in Viet Nam desirable
Specific technical knowledge on estimation of health expenditures considered an asset

d. Language requirements:

Expert written and spoken Vietnamese
Proficient written and spoken English

e. Competencies

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team or independently
Produces results
Builds and promotes partnerships
Fosters integration and teamwork

5. Place of assignment Under the guidance of the UHC-HLE Team Coordinator and relevant technical staff, the consultant will be expected to be based in Hanoi, working part-time, reporting to the WHO Representative. Outside of the office, the consultant will collaborate closely with relevant national counterparts in the Ministry of Health and other Ministries and stakeholders. The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work. 6. Travel The Consultant is not expected to travel outside of Hanoi during the assignment period. 7. Budget Please take note of the following when submitting application: - The contractor will be responsible for paying taxes, if any. Those who are interested can contact our focal person with contact detail at the end of the announcement before/by 3 July 2020 Administrative Officer World Health Organization UN Building, 304 Kim Ma Street, Hanoi, Viet Nam OR wpvnmapplicants@who.int For further information on this TOR, please contact: wpvnmwr@who.int