International Consultant – Childbirth Care and New Born Services, RMNCAH

Purpose of consultancy

To support WHO and Ministry of health to improve the childbirth care and newborn care services in Timor Leste.

Background

Since its independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has achieved significant improvements in the health sector. These include better health indicators as well as infrastructure development and/or reconstruction, and training and deployment of qualified human resources. Nevertheless, with high maternal mortality (142/100000LB, 2017), high neonatal mortality (20 per 1000LB, 2019), low institutional birth rate (49%), challenges remain.

The national Health sector development plan 2020-2030 and national RMNCAH strategic plan 2015-2019 has identified the improvement of maternal and child health is a priority area and many initiatives are implemented. Many interventions for childbirth care and newborn care are identified in essential health service package for Timor Leste. The childbirth care and essential newborn care services are provided at six hospitals, community health centres and health posts. Management of complications of pregnancy and childbirth and care for sick and small newborns are provided at the national hospitals and 5 referral hospitals. However, the organization and arrangements of the childbirth and newborn care services need many improvements for further reduction of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity.

With the request from the ministry of health, WHO country office is planning to support Timor Leste to improve the childbirth and new-born care services in the national hospital and five referral hospitals.

Overall Objective

The overall objective of this activity is to support the Ministry of health Timor Leste to improve the childbirth and newborn care services.

The specific objectives are:

• To conduct a brief situation analysis of the provision of Childbirth and newborn care services in the national hospital and 5 referral hospitals in the country
• To develop a road map for improvement of childbirth and newborn care services in the country
• To develop standards for childbirth and newborn care services in Timor Leste
• To develop costed childbirth and new-born care improvements plans for each hospital including a blueprint for model childbirth and newborn care services

Scope of work

Under the over-all guidance of WHO Representative (WR) and direct supervision of the technical officer (RMNCAH), the expert will:

• • Develop a methodology and tools for conducting situation analysis of childbirth and newborn care services perusing existing tools and methodologies
  • Conduct the situation analysis of the childbirth and newborn care services in the national hospital and five referral hospitals
  • Develop strategic action plan and road map for improvement of childbirth and newborn care services in the country
  • Develop indicators for documenting standards of care for childbirth and newborn care services in Timor Leste
  • Develop costed childbirth and new-born care improvements plans for each hospital addressing the gaps identified during the situation analysis and to accomplish the standards
  • Prepare a Blueprint for establishment of model childbirth and new-born care services at a selected referral hospital
  • Any other tasks as suggested by WR

Deliverables

• Situation assessment methodology and the tool – adapted to the Timor-Leste context
• Brief report of the situation assessment with recommendations
• Concept Note and Strategic road map for improvement of childbirth and newborn care services in the country
• Standards of care for childbirth and newborn care services in Timor Leste
• Costed childbirth and new-born care improvements plans for each hospital
• Concept Note and Blueprint for establishment of model childbirth and new-born care services at a selected referral hospital
• Monthly technical progress reports

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree in Obstetric/ pediatric, Public Health, or related field.

Desirable: Advanced/Master’s level degree in Obstetric/ pediatric, Public Health, or related field.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of health sector and public health work experience, including at the national, sub-national and local/field level.

Desirable: Work experience in the SEAR Region. Experience in working with UN/international agencies will be an advantage.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential: Prior experience of having conducted similar projects. Demonstrated project management and implementation skills

Desirable: Project management certification

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

Essential: Expert knowledge of English
Desirable: Knowledge of Tetum and/or Portuguese

Location

On site: WHO Country Office, Dili, Timor-Leste

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel, including for taking up assignment, according to the itinerary prepared at the time of issuing the contract

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

• Remuneration: Band level A - USD 3,955-6,980 per month, depending on the consultant’s experience and educational background
• Living expenses: Per diem will be paid as per WHO rules applicable to international consultant for travel.
• Expected duration of contract: 6 months

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/ diploma(s)/certificate(s) in English required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
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• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.