The National Consultant to act as the national focal person for an assistive technology capacity assessment (ATA-C) to improve access to assistive technology in Viet Nam

1. Background: Assistive technology (AT) is a subset of health technology that refers to assistive products and related systems and services developed for people to maintain or improve functioning and thereby promote well-being. Examples of assistive products include hearing aids, wheelchairs, communication software, spectacles, incontinence products, and pill organizers. It enables people with difficulties in functioning to live healthy, productive, independent and dignified lives, participating in education, the labour market and social life. Worldwide, over one billion people are in need of AT, a number predicted to rise to two billion by 2050 due to population ageing and a rise in non-communicable diseases. Yet, only one in every 10 people who need AT – to learn, to work or to fully participate in their communities – have access. This gap is even more prominent across low resourced settings, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In response, WHO established the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE) initiative in 2014 to improve access to high-quality assistive products by focusing on five interlinked areas (5P): people-centered policy, products, provision, and personnel. The GATE initiative aims to provide technical assistance to Member States to meet their related commitments and realize strategic actions to improve access to AT. In May 2018, the Seventy-first World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA71.8, urging Member States to take effective actions in developing, implementing, and strengthening policies and programmes that improve access to AT. To support AT policy and programme development, WHO has developed an assistive technology toolkit, which collects comprehensive information about population need for AT and the system’s capacity to finance, procure, and provide AT. One of the tools is the assistive technology capacity assessment (ATA-C). The ATA-C is a systems-level assessment of a country’s capacity to finance, procure, and provide assistive technology. It consists of a preparatory phase, data collection phase, reporting phase, and consensus building and action planning phase. In response to the request for technical assistance from the Ministry of Health Viet Nam, the ATA-C will be conducted jointly by the Ministry of Health, WHO and USAID’s implementing partner of the International Center working in the area of the AT and supported by a team of national and an international consultant. This term of reference is for a team of National consultants. 2. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation) Start date: 26/10/2020 End date: 31/03/2021 3. Work to be performed The national consultant is expected to lead an assessment team in Viet Nam to conduct an assessment in Viet Nam, in close connection with the international consultant all throughout the different stages of the assessment. In addition, the national consultant will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, WHO and key stakeholders including USAID’s implementing partners. Output/s and Deliverables Output 1: Preparation phase: The priority at this phase is to review the WHO ATA-C tools and relevant technical issues, and prepare for the stages of implementation. Task 1.1: Attend an orientation mission/webex meeting Task 1.2: Contribute to the development of methodology for adapting the ATA- C in Viet Nam Task 1.3: Map out AT stakeholders in Viet Nam and identify AT data sources Task 1.4: In coordination with MOH, modify the adapted model ATA-C questionnaires for the context of Viet Nam Task 1.5: Develop the schedule for data collection at the field Output 2: Data Collection phase: The national consultant to take lead of an assessment in Viet Nam, with technical advice from the international consultant, to gather data through semi-structured interviews with identified stakeholders. Task 2.1: Coach the assessment team, conduct and supervise field testing of adapted questionnaire and provide feedback to international consultant Task 2.2: Working with the international consultant, adjust questionnaire as needed based on field testing Task 2.3: Work with the assessment team to carry out stakeholder interviews and address any missing information Output 3: Data Consolidation and analysis: All information gathered from interviews, desktop research and other sources consolidated in one place and coded. Task 3.1: Organize/collate/combine data using the model data consolidated spreadsheet as required and forward to international consultant Task 3.2: Work with the international consultant for data analysis Output 4: Reporting: Draft report to share assessment findings with stakeholders Task 4.1: Work with the international consultant to develop the outlines of the draft report Task 4.2: Provide and verify information in the draft report written by the international consultant Task 4.3: Refine the translation of the draft reports written by the international consultant Task 4.4: Coordinate the sharing of the first draft of the report to members of the technical working group for their feedback, in collaboration with key stakeholders Task 4.5: Collect further data and address any missing information Task 4.6: Facilitate technical meetings review to the draft reports and collate feedback in in coordination with MOH Output 5: Consensus building through stakeholder workshop Task 5.1: Facilitate a technical workshop to present the key findings of the assessment, in coordination with MOH and WHO 4. Specific requirements Qualifications required: Master degree in relevant areas (public health and/or rehabilitation related areas, assistive technology, social sciences or similar) Experience required:

At least 7 years of experience in relevant areas (public health and/or rehabilitation, healthcare and/or health technology management.
Experiences in conducting researches, assessments and evaluations.
Experience of working with Rehabilitation and/or National AT stakeholders (such as National government departments, institutions, service providers) is an asset.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Technical knowledge of National health policy and healthcare/health technology management including provision of assistive technology and medical devices in Viet Nam.
Data analysis and writing report in public health field
Good communication and coordination skills.

Language requirements:

Native in Vietnamese
Good knowledge in both written and spoken English

Competencies: Teamwork, professionalism, flexibility and an understanding of working with people from diverse backgrounds 5. Place of assignment The consultant will work on part-time basis with travel within Viet Nam for stakeholder interviews and consultations, and remote working with the international consultant. 6. Medical clearance The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work. 7. Travel The Consultant is expected to travel to six locations within Viet Nam that are representative for different areas in Viet Nam. In addition, the consultant may also be required to travel to several specific locations depending on the agreed data collection plan. 8. Budget Please take note of the following when submitting application: - The contractor will be responsible for paying taxes, if any. Application letters and updated CVs in English should be received on/or before 7 October 2020 and should be addressed to: Administrative Officer World Health Organization UN Building, 304 Kim Ma Street, Hanoi, Viet Nam OR wpvnmapplicants@who.int For further information on this Call for Expressions of Interest, please contact: wpvnmwr@who.int