Senior Technical Consultant, Legislative Network for Universal Health Coverage at Palladium Group

Project Overview and Role

• The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in assisting Nigeria to achieve its healthcare financing reform objectives and universal health coverage (UHC) goals, supported the Nigeria Legislature to establish the Legislative Network for Universal Health Coverage (LNU), which includes members of both the National and State Houses of Assembly.
• The LNU provides an opportunity to leverage decades of global focus and support from the development community to strengthen health systems and provide access to affordable, available, and high-quality life-saving healthcare to millions of Nigerians, especially the vulnerable, and situate support within the Assembly.
• The LNU played an active role in securing the June 20, 2018 executive approval of the 2018 Fiscal Federal Appropriation of one percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) (NGN55 billion) for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), according to the provisions of the National Health Act. This revenue will enable the provision of a minimum package of basic health services.

Responsibilities
Consultancy Objectives:
To consolidate the gains from previous support, the USAID-funded Health Policy Plus (HP+) project is recruiting a Senior Technical Consultant to lead in supporting the LNU to implement the following set of activities:

• Work in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) to orient new legislators on health policy thrusts and healthcare financing objectives to enhance their understanding of, and support for, the realization of UHC objectives and goals.
• Technical assistance for the convening of quarterly meetings of the Health Committees to evaluate progress against previous objectives, set new objectives and targets, as needed, and brainstorm/generate ideas on breaking down bureaucracies.
• At the state level, technical assistance for a meeting between legislators and Executives to review progress on policy implementation and budget performance.
• Technical assistance for the organisation of the 3rd Legislative Summit on UHC.

Specific Activities

• Collaborate with the NILDS to organize an orientation for new legislators on health policy thrusts and healthcare financing objectives to enhance understanding and support.
• Facilitate the convening of quarterly meetings of the Health Committees to co- evaluate progress against previous objectives, setting new objectives, generating ideas, etc.
• Facilitate the convening of key meetings at the state level, to include a meeting between legislators and executives to review progress on policy implementation and budget performance.
• Assist in the organization of the 3rd Legislative Summit on UHC
• Document key lessons in a final consultancy report

Deliverables:

• Detail report of the orientation of New Legislatures
• Report of Capacity building of members of the house committee of health of National and supported states’ house of Assemblies
• Quarterly report of quarterly meetings of the LNU and Executives to develop/review workplan for carrying out their legislative agenda of legislation, representation, oversight, appropriation
• Report of the of the 3rd Legislative Summit on UHC

Requirements
The consultants should possess the following:

• First Degree in in a Public Health, International Development, Management, or any related field;
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in health systems strengthening; and minimum of 2 years progressive experience working with the Legislature in managerial capacity is essential
• Demonstrated project management, facilitation, capacity building skills and leadership capabilities
• Good understanding of health systems strengthening and current health financing reform initiatives in Nigeria especially at state level
• Experience carrying out similar assignments in Nigeria particularly at state level; and
• Ability to interact amicably with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams;
• Excellent interpersonal skills necessary
• Excellent communication skills - both oral and written.

Reporting:

• The HP+ Senior Advocacy and Policy Advisor will oversee the quality and timeliness of the consultancy.  This includes:

Expected Period of performance of the consultant:

• Total of 30 days spread between June and September 30th, 2019.