Programme Consultant to Support the Implementation of Technical Working Group on Primary Healthcare Strengthening

Programme Consultant to support the implementation of Technical Working Group on Primary Healthcare Strengthening

Full time

Duration of work:

1. Background

Improving people’s health is critical to human welfare and will lead to continued social and economic development. The majority of ASEAN governments have prioritized healthcare resulting in significant improvements in patient outcomes and population health. The Vietnam Government has met almost all Millennium Development Goals and it has made impressive strides to achieve Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC). Remaining challenges include further increasing coverage, strengthening primary healthcare, reducing out of pocket payments and increasing efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare delivery. To rise to this challenge, Vietnam recognizes the power of public-private partnerships alongside traditional multilateral and bilateral partnerships to achieve UHC by 2030 through strengthening primary healthcare. This approach will ensure equitable access to high quality services, allowing Vietnam to sustain its strong socio-economic growth. Realizing that a strong and robust primary healthcare system (PHC) is foundational to achieve UHC by 2030 and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), specifically SGD 3, the government, along with development and private partners have invested heavily in strengthening PHC.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is implementing three strategic programs on healthcare (Healthy Vietnam Program, Grassroots Health Development Program, and Targeted Health-Population Program) under prime ministerial decisions (Decisions 1092/Q?-TTg, 2348/Q?-TTg, 1125/Q?-TTg). In order to effectively implement these health programs, the Ministry of Health needs to further strengthen the capacity to coordinate and manage different resources, including donors and private organizations who are interesting in the healthcare network at the primary healthcare level (commune and district), inclusive of service delivery and provisions. To address these objectives, Technical Working Group for Primary Healthcare Strengthening (TWGPS) is formed under the scope of work of the existing Health Partnership Group (HPG).

2. Objective

The TWGPS Programme Consultant will support and facilitate the functioning of the TWGPS towards the goal of more effective and efficient coordination and joint technical work in a number of areas of the sector. Key responsibilities of the role include:

Providing guidance and support to the TWGPS to enhance the strategic and operational functioning of the TWGPS;
Monitoring the operation of TWGPS, including review, consolidate and enhance their operations;
Supporting the implementation of new ways of working for the TWGPS including the effective functioning of the TWGPS;
Enhancing the level of policy dialogue as well as follow-up to actions agreed during the technical/thematic TWGPS meetings and follow up;
Ensuring and enhancing the visibility of TWGPS and linkages between TWGPS with MOH, provinces and development partners;
Ensuring information sharing and communication between TWGPS and with broader HPG forum and other actors;
Establishing the communication plan for the TWGPS to enhance the visibility of TWGPS and cooperation with partners and key partners.

3. Scope of work and tasks

The assignment will involve the following responsibilities:

Serving as the consultant for all aspects related to TWGPS;
Providing knowledge in the drafting of MOUs/Agreements with DPs, taking minutes, organizing meetings, etc.;
Providing regular reports on TWGPS issues and progress to help ensure adequate information sharing across Ministries, Departments, Provinces, Districts, and among development partners;
Providing support to mobilize resources where necessary and appropriate;
Ensuring adequate communication and coordination among TWGPS, provinces and partners, including sharing and updating information regularly to TWGPS core group members on the plan and work of TWGPS;
Liaising with other partners related to health and promote their participation in TWGPS where relevant;
Ensuring linkages between TWGPS activities and other TWG-related activities (such as support to TWGPS meetings and database of development partner support);
Proactively consulting with TWGPS core members on a regular basis regarding operations of TWGPS and other matters, to propose amendments to HPG as necessary;
Undertaking other related tasks as required such as: Support the organization of the TWGPS meetings, especially in the development of technical themes and content of the meeting in relation to TWGPS;
Developing and implementing communication plans for TWGPS and other partners, including maintaining and improving the TWGPS website (if any) and include updates from TWGPS core group members.

4. Qualifications

Essential: At least Master’s Degree in a field revenant to the work (e.g., Public Health, Public Administration, Economics, Health Economics or related discipline). PhD an advantage.
A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the field of development cooperation in the health sector in Vietnam.
A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the management/ coordination of donor programs in development cooperation in the area of health in Vietnam.
- Desirable: Experience working with the Ministry of Health, a broad range of national and international stakeholders in the health sector.

5. Skills

Experience of delivering high quality work to deadlines demonstrating good attention to detail;
Strong organization, prioritization and time management skills with the proven ability to coordinate and deliver multiple projects simultaneously;
Well understanding of internal MOH policies and procedures;
Ability to gather, analyze and synthesize key information and learning from a variety of sources;
Strong IT skills including sound knowledge of MS Office as well as the ability to learn new systems quickly;
Excellent communications skills (written and oral) with partners and stakeholders.

6. Language