UNICEF INDONESIA
Posting date 1 May 2015
UNICEF
Indonesia welcomes applications from qualified candidates for the term
of reference below. Interested applicants should submit electronically
their application letter, complete curriculum vitae, updated P11 form accompanied by copy of university degree and/or any other relevant certificates addressed to:
(Please
quote the reference number to which you are applying for in the subject
line: VR-15-006 National Consultant: MNCH Evidence-based Planning and
Financing)
Closing date: 10 May 2015
UNICEF
is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and
encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious and
ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply
to become a part of our organization.
VACANCY REFERENCE: 15-006
Title: National Consultant: Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (MNCH) Evidence-based Planning and Financing
Type of Contract: SSA (Special Service Agreement)
Duty Station: Jakarta
Duration: May until December 2015
Please indicate the total expected monthly/lump sum fees. Application without proposed fee may not be considered.
BACKGROUND:
Evidence
Based Planning (EBP) aims to improve local level planning and budgeting
for maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). It does this through
problem solving with local decision-makers, using available data to
analyse the main constraints to accessing MNCH services and to develop
and cost strategies to overcome these constraints. It also aims to
improve the capacity of local level planners to advocate for additional
funds to support these plans. EBP initiative finds its high relevance in
Indonesia for at least two reasons. First, the country finds a
regressive development of achieving MDG 4 and 5. Recent data shows that
MMR reaches 359/100,000 live birth, the highest ratio for the past 13
years, and at subnational level deterioration even more pronounced for
NMR. One study revealed that from 2000, which is the beginning of
decentralization policy, eastern provinces in Indonesia (NTT, Maluku,
Papua, and Kalimantan) experienced upward trends of NMR, while Sulawesi
and Java-Bali experienced downward trends . Second, in spite of the
decentralization which supposedly brings more efficiency to public
services delivery at subnational level, funding decisions are still
largely taken at central level and once funds reach the subnational
level a large proportion is earmarked for specific purposes, allowing
local governments little discretion in their use of these funds.
Against
this background, for the past 4 years UNICEF together with national
government (BAPPENAS and MOH) and academician (UGM) have been working on
EBP initiative both at provincial level and 10 selected districts. This
initiative has resulted in strong buy-in from the Provincial government
demonstrated by the establishment of an EBP Provincial Team, comprised
of key MNCH stakeholders. At district level, there is more than 80%
increase in funding allocated towards MNCH in 3 original districts and
an improved planning process and methods across all districts.
Involvement of stakeholders beyond the health sector which was a major
positive enabled leveraging of additional funding from non-health
sources. Last but not least, this initiative
inspired similar approach to enhance planning and monitoring at health
centre level – taking planning for MNCH to community level.
The
initiative demonstrated that by taking into account combination factors
such as fiscal capacity, political commitment, and demand on improving
technical capacity at subnational level, an increase allocation of MNCH
fund allocation is possible. Key ingredients for this to happen are
through building strategic partnership with national government and
national think-thank, and continuous assistance and monitoring at the
ground. Having said that, it should be noted that challenges remain in
making this initiative work in sustainable way. High turnover of
government officials, political constellation, and changing priority of
government are potential obstacles to keep this initiative going
forward.
WORK ASSIGNMENT:
Under
the supervision of Health Specialist in Jakarta, the consultant will
help coordinate UNICEF interest in Evidence-based Planning, UHC studies,
coordinating PCAs and SSFAs on Minimum Service Standard, Integrated
Micro Planning and provide support to sub-national field offices on CSD
Planning and Financing. The focus will be on high level technical
assistance, advocacy and coordination among different stakeholders and
on identifying bottlenecks and recommended actions.
The tasks
of the SSA are to focus on key deliverables that would ensure the
national and provincial authorities have a range of expertise that, if
properly utilised and coordinated, could provide the ongoing support
that districts would need to improve their capacity and their actual
plans and budgets for MNCH by:
- Continuous technical and managerial support to the national stakeholders, Papua Provincial team and UNICEF Papua through organization and overall coordination of evidence-based planning and budgeting activities in partnership with UGM
- Integration of evidence-based approach into national and sub-national capacity development initiatives e.g. Integrated micro planning, DTPS and SPM-based planning tools, prioritising on application of the concept and principles of EBP over the quantitative assessment using specific indicators and data.
- Coordinated and well managed technical inputs to the UHC Supply Side Readiness Road Map, Health Expenditure Tracking studies and UHC MNCH study with SMERU in partnership with Bappenas and HSS technical working groups
- Sustained technical support and coordination for overall approach of Child Survival Development Cluster to health system strengthening in decentralization context works in partnership with MoH, Indonesia District Health Offices Association, Ministry of Home Affairs (Directorate General Bina Bangda)
IDEAL PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANT:
- Advance university degree in health, economics, public administration, or other related subjects. A health professional with additional trainings in health economics or financing is desirable.
- Master’s degree in Public Health, health policy, financing or health economics or other development studies related to public health or economics.
- Familiarity with public financial management, government and administration regulations and the working of other partners such as the World Bank.
- At least 5 years of extensive experience in the field of public health or nutrition, social development or public financial management. Experience in political economy analysis is highly desirable
- Experience in an international organization is an asset, ability to work in an international and multi-cultural environment.
- Pro-active and resourceful, good communication skills in negotiating and liaising with counterparts and partners.
- Good command of English and Bahasa Indonesia for drafting reports and communication with government counterparts and international staff;
- Good skills in computer applications; especially Word, Excel and Power Point
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