National Consultant to conduct the study on the micro-simulation and analysis of household spending on healthcare and policy implications

For every child, Education.

Background

Viet Nam has pursued the policy on universal health insurance, using the direct budget support mechanism to support some segments of the population to participate in health insurance, especially those with below-average incomes. These groups include: children under 6 years old; elderly people aged 80 years or older who do not have a monthly pension or social insurance allowance; the poor, ethnic minorities, and disadvantaged people with extremely difficult circumstances[1].

Viet Nam has made positive progress in accelerating universal health coverage over the past 10 years. By the end of 2019, universal health coverage was 90 per cent (reaching 85.39 million people), increased by 44.81 per centage points compared to the rate of 2012^[2]. However, the development of health insurance policies and health care for the people are not evenly distributed across regions. In some regions with difficult socio-economic conditions, such as mountainous, and remote areas, health care is still not satisfactory due to inadequate access and quality of medical services. In addition, about 10 per cent of the population are not covered by health insurance and many of those belong to the so called “missing middle”.

Data on the household living standard survey of Vietnam shows that household spending on healthcare has increased from 8.31 per cent in 2014 to 9.1 per cent in 2018[1]. Notably, when a member or a child of a household got sick, that household’s spending on health exceeds 40 per cent of the household's ability to pay[2]. Despite the current universal health insurance coverage of 90 per cent, households with children, the elderly, households in rural areas, the poor and near-poor are the most vulnerable to poverty due to medical and healthcare costs. In addition, social distancing imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic hindered the access of families with children to routine maternal and child healthcare services (especially immunization), meanwhile some healthcare facilities became overwhelmed with work to control COVID-19 transmission[3]. Furthermore, in the complex and evolving context of COVID-19 with the presence of Delta variant, it is hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic may have worsened households’ out-of-pocket payments for health care and medical costs leading to poverty.

Under the Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFF) project funded by the SDG Fund for Financing, UNICEF Viet Nam and  the Department of Science, Education, Environment and Natural Resources of the Ministry of Planning and Investment  plan to conduct a study on the micro-simulation and analysis of household spending on healthcare, impacts on household poverty and vulnerability and policy implications. The implementation of this study will help simulate health costs for households with children by ethnicity, geographic location, age, etc. and propose appropriate and practical policy recommendations for relevant ministries and sectors towards achieving SDG related target "Achieving universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all".

• Must hold at least a master degree in related field (economics, preferably health economics, Social Science, or any other related field).
• At least 10 years of recognized experience in study and research in health financing and economic analysis using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
• At least 10 years of experience providing policy advice in the area of public administration, public health, socio-economic planning, budgeting, and social policies.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the country’s political context and PFM structure.
• Excellent research and analytical skills and experience, especially in facilitating key informant interviews with various groups of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills and ability to manage diversity of views in different contexts, especially in the finalization of research reports.
• Language: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

TOR can be found here:  TOR for household spending on health.docx

Submission of applications

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to the assigned requisition in UNICEF Vacancies: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

1. Letter of interest and confirmation of availability;
2. Technical proposal which clearly explains the outline on how to deliver the tasks and deliverables (preferably less than 5 pages);
3. Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
4. Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including consultancy fee, travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment.
5. CV/P11 form (UN Personal History Form)

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

Advertised: Sep 28 2021 SE Asia Standard Time

Application close: Oct 07 2021 SE Asia Standard Time