Health Policy Advisor

.Area of expertise :

Expert in health policy.

Purpose of consultancy :

To provide ongoing Technical Support to MOH for policy, implementation, monitoring and reporting on Universal Health Coverage including comprehensive SRH services.

Background

Sierra Leone has some of the world’s highest maternal mortality ratio (443/100,000 live births), child deaths (105/1,000 live births) and stillbirth (23/1,000 live births) rates. Infant and neonatal mortality stand at a rate of 75 and 31 per 1000 live births respectively. Maternal deaths accounts for 23% percent of all deaths among women aged 15-49. Despite these figures, Sierra Leone’s coverage indicators are fairly comparable with many sub-Saharan African countries including neighbouring countries within west African subregion. A key priority of the Ministry of Health is to improve quality of care and ensure a client-centred life-stage approach to the delivery of essential health services package for better health outcomes for all the people in the country. Central to this will be the formulation and elaboration of evidence-informed policies, guidelines, protocols, and standards of care.

Deliverables:

1.PHC service delivery model redesigned.

•Support bottleneck analysis on the existing healthcare delivery system in line with UHC, EHSP and SRHR

•Facilitate policy dialogue with relevant stakeholders on health care delivery system redesign for advancing UHC

•Support relevant directorates/programmes to review/develop new policies, strategies and plans to improve quality of care along the client-centred life-stages approach.

•Facilitate the revision/update of health care infrastructure norms and standards in line with the MOH policy direction

2.Person centred life stage framework for service delivery integrated in the health care delivery systemdelivered at health care delivery system

•Facilitate mainstreaming of the framework across programs and directorate in their routine planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting

•Support assessment on the existing FHCI progress and challenges with respect to SRHR and support development of free health care policy and incorporation of SRHR commodities in FHCI

•Support landscaping analysis on governance, mandate, duties, and responsibilities of DHMTs to and recommend to the MOH any necessary adjustments to align to changing needs and drive UHC agenda

•Facilitate regular/periodic meetings of the Minister of Health, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Parliamentarians, Health Development Partners, and other key stakeholders on UHC

• Perform any other related duties as might be assigned supervisors

3.Health Systems Strengthening

•Guide the reform process for key Directorates in the Ministry, fostering efficient hospital management.

•Act as a facilitator for overseeing and coordinating hospital development projects.

•Facilitate initiatives to improve and modernize laboratory services.

•Support the implementation of the National Eye Health Programme.

•Facilitate collaboration with academic institutions for postgraduate medical training.

4.Reproductive, Child, NCDs, and Mental Health:

•Aid in the implementation of Reproductive and Child Health programs.

•Facilitate strategies and initiatives in cancer prevention, mental health, and rehabilitation.

5.Specialized Agencies Collaboration:

•Act as a facilitator in fostering collaboration between health institutions and agencies.

•Facilitate initiatives related to climate change and health.

•Facilitate collaboration with medical and dental associations, councils, and emergency services.

Submit monthly reports on activities/tasks accomplished pertaining to the roles and responsibilities.

Perform other duties as may be assigned by supervisor.

1.Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree in Public Health, Medicine, or any other related area of study.

Desirable: Additional specialization in Public Health, Health Systems Strengthening, Health Economics, Health Policy, and Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights, Management or any other relevant area

Work experience.

Essential: At least 7 years’ experience in health policy and health care reform

•Background in medicine, public health or related areas

•Demonstrable understanding of the development and content of UHC and SRHR polices and guidelines

•Experience in advocacy, diplomacy and public relations

•Experience in resource mobilization

•Strong leadership and communication skills

•Strong analytical skills

Desirable:

Skills/Knowledge:

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

Excellent knowledge of Microsoft applications (e.g. Excel, Word, Power Point, etc.).

Capacity-building through multiple methods, including training, mentoring and example setting.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential: Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English