Provincial Health Systems Strengthening Lead (Two positions)

The Nepal Health Sector Support Programme 3 (NHSSP 3) had begun in March 2017 as the technical assistance (TA) component of FCDO’s Nepal Health Sector Programme 3 (NHSP3), and included two TA components, the General Health Technical Assistance (GHTA) to support the federal MoHP to deliver its Health Sector Strategy 2015-2022; and the Retrofitting and Health Infrastructure TA (RHITA) to MoHP and Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) to support the retrofitting and rehabilitation of two priority hospitals in earthquake affected areas. A no-cost extension for the programme was confirmed recently, to provide support for completion of retrofitting of the two public hospitals, and to enable essential components of health reform in the context of federalism. The no-cost extension is referred to as RHITA+ reflecting this dual purpose and will be delivered by Options.

The health systems strengthening component of RHITA+ will mainly have a sub-national focus and provide support for the early implementation phase of the new Nepal Health Sector Strategic Plan, 2022-2030. The federal constitution mandates local governments to deliver the Basic Health Services package (BHS) and provincial governments are now responsible for most of the referral services. Support is required to enable these sub-national governments to strengthen their capacity for governance and accountability, and to provide quality health services which everyone can access without financial burden.

Options Consultancy Services seeks to hire two qualified professionals to fill the positions of Provincial Health Systems Strengthening Leads for Butwal or Dang and Janakpur.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership and technical delivery within the focal province, to guide design and implementation of strategies and programmes, ensuring that activities lead to planned outputs and outcomes, and the ultimate results/impact.
• Lead on a coordinated technical approach at the provincial and local level for the focal province that draws inputs from all RHITA+ areas of work and supports the implementation of integrated health systems strengthening at the local level.
• Support the government’s annual work-planning and budgeting (AWPB) processes to ensure local health priorities are adequately planned and budgeted for. Employ a selection of tools to identify the gaps in health system to support government plans and identify TA needs.
• Working closely with federal-level Governance and Accountability Lead to facilitate the establishment of a viable institutional mechanism for coordination across the three spheres of governance for select health function(s) for planning, budgeting and implementation accountability.
• Lead on the support to budget analysis, annual reviews and other key planning processes arising at the provincial level, and technically support improving the regular reviews of health sector progress and results of investments by respective and responsible institutions and authorities.
• Contribute substantively to learning products as required and inputting to other programme learning documents
• Participate proactively in and provide strategic inputs to Strategic Leadership Team
• Identify, monitor and manage any risks to the quality and coverage results
• Adopt a “one team approach” to the delivery of the programme and aim to achieve the cross-cutting objectives of building resilience and improving the equity and quality of the Nepal health system while Leaving No-One Behind.

Person specification:

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Advanced degree in Public Health Policy / Public Health Management / Public Administration or a related field Or Basic Degree in the subject area with substantial work experience in public health
• Significant and proven experience (at least 10 years) in the development and implementation of programmes within the health sector, governance and strengthening government health system in Nepal
• Strong technical knowledge of governance, accountability and transparency issues within the health sector and familiarity with latest advancements in the field particularly with a view to improving health system performance.
• Knowledge of monitoring/critical analysis of planning and budgeting in the health system
• Knowledge of the health PFM system and Public Procurement in Nepal
• Experience in communicating evidence effectively to better planning, decision making, and accountability within government.
• Deep understanding of the operations of the Government of Nepal, MoHP, MoSD and PHD and familiarity with all spheres of government.
• Relevant skills, attributes and other requirements are mentioned in Terms of Reference (ToR)

Benefits:

Options offers a comprehensive benefits package including festival bonus, gratuity, insurance packages etc.

Other information:

• As an equal opportunity employer, Options Consultancy Services is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage or civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage candidates from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Options Consultancy Services.
• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment.
• We seek people who are pro-choice, promote diversity and inclusion, are energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision.
• Applicants must have the right to work in Nepal.