International Consultant - Health at UNICEF

Job Number: 510168
Work Type: Consultancy

Background

• From 2016 the Federal Government of Nigeria has moved its policy towards improving Primary Health Care (PHC) to ensure the full functionality of one PHC facility per ward for all its 9,500 political wards.
• Whilst the immunization programme has shown some improvements over the last years, the MICS 2016/2017 showed low coverage (Penta 3 coverage of rate of 33%), the Government of Nigeria has recognized as a matter of urgent concern the weakness of the primary healthcare system today. It is anticipated that by a revitalisation of the PHC system will contribute in improving Immunization coverage in an equitable manner.
• The Government of Nigeria developed a Strategy to transform immunisation, achieve greater sustainable results and strengthen primary healthcare 2018-2030. This strategy document describes the programmatic choices and outlines how the program will be managed and financed.  This new focus on health is reflected in the financial commitments laid out in this strategy, which sees the Federal Government committing to a set of schedule of payments to take over its co-financed routine vaccines on a vaccine-by-vaccine basis.
• The revenue effort in Nigeria is among the lowest in the world, dropping to 4.8% of GDP in 2016.  While nascent efforts are underway to improve the overall fiscal situation, the recession, driven in large part by the fall in the price of oil, has seen government retained revenues in US dollar terms cut in half between 2015 and 2016.
• Even when the wider fiscal environment improves, the transition from Gavi would still be a huge effort in terms of budgetary flexibility for the government. Nigeria current allocating of just 5.1% of federal budget to health makes this ramp up as per the new accelerated timeline all the more challenging.
• As showed in the MICS2016 report, there are more than 4 million unimmunized children in Nigeria today, the highest in the world, totaling more than a quarter of all unimmunized children globally,  After Gavi huge investment in the past, the country has finally been making some progress towards reaching them, but this progress will inevitably be threatened if Nigeria must remain while in recession within the agreement previously discussed.
• Since Gavi is now considered the window of flexibility, the government of Nigeria looks up to UNICEF for technical expertise to revise the strategy to transform immunisation and strengthen primary healthcare. This entails building in a strong analysis, including economics aspects which will support the commitment of GoN.

The main priorities for support from UNICEF Nigeria are therefore:

• High quality technical assistance
• Support to Government in the revision of the strategic document, including analyses of cost elements that would help the Country to increase its contribution while Gavi's assistance drops.
• Guidance to Government in addressing inequities in immunisation/health that would contribute to improve programme performance and coverage.

The position, in close collaboration with the Immunisation Specialist and Manager, will provide full-time daily technical support to the NPHCDA during the processes that will ultimately lead to a draft Transition Plan. 

• Provide strategic guidance to the NPHCDA Executive Director
• Work within the Transition Task Force and Core Group to coordinate and ensure quality control of the technical inputs during the revision of the strategy.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished

• Provide technical guidance to the NPHCDA Executive Director, Core Group and Transition Task Force for the revision of the Nigeria strategy, including sound modalities for sustainable transition
• Â Coordinate the efforts of immunisation partners to ensure an effective  coordination and harmonized engagement in support to NPHCDA
• Conduct desk review of existent PHC and Immunization documents to capture lessons learned and best practices
• Identify areas in the existing strategy that need to be strengthened and comprehensively addressing the shortcomings and gaps
• Provide full technical support to the Government of Nigeria for the revision of the strategic document, with special focus on demonstrating how Nigeria will transition from support and outlining approaches that ensure sustainability
• Coordinate work of the finance sub-group towards cost analysis demonstrating scenario for increase government contribution during the period of flexibility that would ensure a smooth transition.
• Ensure quality and relevance of overall analyses, strategic, economic as well as programmatic.
• Provide leadership and guidance on effective engagement strategies with development partners as well as Government entities that would ensure broad participation, ownership and commitment to the transition plan.
• Support the country to develop innovative approach and in consultations with the stakeholders at the Federal and State levels.

End Products:

• Monthly work plans
• Monthly progress reports on implementation and achievements of planned activities and milestones (Monthly statutory reports)
• Specific activity reports where necessary
• Trip reports on each mission travel and Notes for the Record on meetings attended
• One end-of-mission report with a PowerPoint presentation for debriefing of partners at State and national level.

Qualification or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required

• Master in Public Health, Health Economics/Finance, or other related fields
• At least 12 years of progressive responsibility in coordinating the design, implementing and evaluating of health projects, particularly, Immunisation and Primary Health Care.
• Proven experience in GAVI support to countries in immunisation and transition planning would be a major asset
• Knowledge of the latest developments in the GAVI operations at Global and country levels
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.