Terms of Reference – The 3Gs Contribution To Health systems strengthening

Introduction

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation for children, comprised of 29 international member organisations operating in over 68 countries. Save the Children UK (SCUK) is one of the member organisations.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential.

OUR VISION

Our vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

OUR VALUES

Accountability We take personal responsibility for using our resources efficiently, achieving measurable results, and being accountable to supporters, partners and, most of all, children.
Ambition We are demanding of ourselves and our colleagues, set high goals and are committed to improving the quality of everything we do for children.
Collaboration We respect and value each other, thrive on our diversity, and work with partners to leverage our global strength in making a difference for children.
Creativity We are open to new ideas, embrace change, and take disciplined risks to develop sustainable solutions for and with children.
Integrity We aspire to live to the highest standards of personal honesty and behaviour; we never compromise our reputation and always act in the best interests of children.

We are committed to ensuring our resources are used as efficiently as possible, in order that we can focus them on achieving maximum impact for children.

Background

The importance of health systems strengthening

Covid-19 has had major consequences for both health and social systems. We have seen major drawbacks in reaching the SDGs, impacting on children’s right in health, nutrition, education, social security etc. In order to overcome the health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to prepare for future pandemics, we need to ensure health systems worldwide become more resilient.

Health systems strengthening (HSS) is a key component for resilient health systems and the most sustainable approach to providing universal health coverage and primary health care for all children. Global health initiatives (GHI) such as the Gavi vaccine alliance (GAVI), the Global Financing Facility (GFF)and the Global Fund (GF), otherwise known as the 3Gs, have a big role to play. They have historically proven to be effective and efficient in building strong and resilient health systems.

The 3Gs have played a significant part in leading their respective pillars in the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) to provide interventions to LMICs in the fight against COVID-19. The Health System and Response Connector (HSRC) Pillar, supported by the Global Fund and the GFF is the least funded of the pillars yet has a significant role to play in providing health systems support to LMICs.

We need to ensure that appropriate financing and policy support is provided to allow for the 3Gs to scale up and expand their engagement in HSS in all the countries they support.

Service requirements

We are seeking to commission this policy brief for advocacy purposes targeted at key global health milestone such as the Germany’s presidency of the G7 in 2022, and to also feed into our broader health policy and financing asks.

To produce a health policy and financing policy brief to influence the G7, demonstrating how HSS is crucial for strong and resilient health systems and what actions need to be taken to ensure HSS continues to be a priority.
To draw on and collate data from various sources, looking at the G7s engagement in the 3Gs HSS efforts (via ODA) with a focus on Germany, UK, US, Canada and Japan.
To do an analysis of 3Gs HSS engagement to understand what the trends are and where the gaps still remain in ensuring equitable health provision for all.
Top line research of how ACT-A could contribute to sustainable, long term health systems benefits.
Use the analysis above to synthesise recommendations for investment in the 3Gs generally and provide top line recommendations to the 3Gs

Candidate profile:

Knowledge of major trends and issues in health systems strengthening, especially as they pertain to the 3Gs, and previous experience producing high-quality written materials for humanitarian and development policy audiences.
Prior knowledge and experience of working with the 3Gs would be an advantage.
Demonstrated experience in policy and advocacy, including carrying out policy research

Proven leadership in developing advocacy strategies and approaches
Ability to analyse information and data and clearly present results and ideas
Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences
Competency to provide strategic direction and clear recommendations to deliver on advocacy aims

Exceptional understanding of the role of NGOs in influencing change with both national and global stakeholders

Education/Professional Skills: Masters’ degree or equivalent experience in your area of expertise.

Deliverables

A 10-15 Pages policy brief or small study (with introduction, country and institutions case studies and recommendations for policy makers and other key stakeholders)

Proposed structure

Why are strong and resilient health systems key (Covid-19, Pandemic Preparedness / Building Back Better). GHI engagement in HSS key. (2 pages)
5 Country Studies: GER, UK, US, CAN, JAP contribution to 3Gs (via ODA). Summarise how each country has invested in HSS and track how the 3Gs have invested in HSS (half a page each)

Present 2-3 successful areas of HSS engagement for each GHI in the implementing countries (2 – 3 pages)
Top-line analysis of role and contribution of the 3 GS on HSS through the ACT-A and HSRC (use visualisation, 1 page)

Recommendations: to include asks for increased funding and prioritisation of HSS for 3Gs engagement in HSS (if appropriate) and policy recommendations for the 3Gs (2-3 pages).

Timescales

Expected days required: 10 – 15
Potential timeline:
- January 2021: 2 months work on it (use some preliminary findings for replenishment moments, as GFF is looking to mobilize 1.2 billion USD by March 2022)
- End of February 2022: Save the Children review
- 1st week of March: 2nd round for consultancy
- March/ April 2022: Final version

Contract As a donor funded body SCUK is committed to ensuring our resources are used as efficiently as possible, in order that we can focus them on achieving maximum impact for children and that our arrangements with third party suppliers represent value for money. We expect this approach to be demonstrated from any contractor it does business with. The successful bidder will be asked to sign Save the Children’s standard services agreement. It is SCUK policy to pay for work in arrears on 30-day payment terms. APPLY HERE