STC on Health Account for 2018-2019 and COVID-19 estimation

1. Background: Health expenditure information is critical evidence to inform health policy development and monitor health system performance and overall progress towards universal health coverage (UHC). As of 2017, the World Health Organization implemented the global mandate to report health expenditure estimates on an annual basis using the System of Health Accounts (SHA) 2011 framework, which provides international standards for classifying health expenditures. Furthermore, Universal health coverage: moving towards better health (WPR/RC66.R2), the regional action framework for the Western Pacific, and Regional Action Agenda on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Western Pacific guides countries on UHC and health-related SDG implementation and highlights the importance of monitoring progress. The Ministry of Health of Viet Nam requested WHO to continue to support the production and use of health expenditure information for 2018 and 2019 estimates based on the SHA 2011 framework. In response to this request, WHO will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health. The areas of WHO support will focus on capacity building and institutionalization of health accounts. In addition, with limited resources, Viet Nam has been successful in containing the COVID-19 outbreak since January 2020 through strong leadership and using a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. The national response plan is being funded from central and local budgets, and social health insurance. While the highest level of commitment and sufficient funds for health have been secured, financing the COVID-19 response can be a challenge in the longer term. Understanding how Viet Nam has financed the COVID-19 response thus far and the impact of COVID-19 on health expenditures would provide inputs into future health financing policies regarding health security in Viet Nam. WHO will also support the estimation of COVID-19 related expenditures and broader impact of COVID-19 on health expenditures through this technical support. 2. Work to be performed Method(s) to carry out the activity The consultant will be based either in the office of WHO Viet Nam located in Ha Noi, Viet Nam or Ministry of Health, Viet Nam. The work will involve, but not be limited to, building capacity of and supporting the MOH health accounts team in the production and use of health expenditure estimates, coordination of data collection across various stakeholders, and improvement of data quality and methodology; participating in technical meetings and workshops; and contributing to the finalization of health expenditure estimates and report for 2018 and 2019, and COVID-19 related expenditures. For COVID-19 related expenditures and impact on health expenditures, COVID-19 related expenditures and general health expenditures are to be collected for Quarters 1 and 2 2020 and compared to 2019 health expenditure estimates. If expenditure data is not yet available for some sources, budget data may be considered. The consultant will work closely with the health accounts team in the Department of Planning and Finance in the Ministry of Health to produce health expenditure estimates based on the System of Health Accounts (SHA) 2011 framework and facilitate collaboration with other Departments, Ministries, and relevant stakeholders. Output/s Output 1: Effective support provided on designing the scope and data collection method to estimate COVID-19 related expenditures for 2020 Deliverable 1: Survey tools for data collection regarding COVID-19 related expenditures and other health expenditures for 2020 and relevant comparison in 2019 (5 days – 15 December 2020) Output 2: Effective support provided on the data collection process for 2018 and 2019 estimates, including data cleaning and quality checks, from key stakeholders across Departments of the Ministry of Health, Ministries, and other health partners Deliverable 2: Database of health expenditure data for 2018 and 2019 from key stakeholders (20 days – 15 January 2021) Output 3: Effective support provided for development of the distribution keys for disease expenditures and others Deliverable 3: Summary of notes on data sources, methods, and assumptions used in the development of the distribution keys (5 days – 8 February 2021) Output 4: Effective support provided for data mapping, analysis, and drafting of the health expenditure report for COVID-19 related health expenditures for 2020 and impact on general health expenditures comparing data with 2019 (25 days – 31 March 2021) Deliverable 4: COVID-19 related expenditure report Output 5: Effective support provided for data mapping, analysis, and drafting of the health expenditure report for 2018 and 2019 health expenditure data Deliverable 5: Annual update of 2018 and 2019 estimates, including primary health care and diseases expenditures, to WHO (November 2020 and 2021), and health expenditure reports for 2018 and 2019 estimates (35 days – 15 November 2021) 3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation) Start date: 16 November 2020 End date: 15 November 2021 4. Specific requirements a. Qualifications required: Essential: Bachelor degree in relevant areas including medicine, public health, health economics, or social science from a recognised university. Desirable: Postgraduate 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 5 years of experience in relevant areas including health financing and health policy development 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. Also prior experience working on tracking health expenditures. c. Skills / Technical skills and knowledge: • Strong quantitative, analytical, and communication skills • Ability to write and • Knowledge of the health 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 Health Systems 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. 6. Travel The selected Consultant will be expected to travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and other provinces if needed for data collection for COVID-19 expenditures.. 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 6 Nov 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