Health Policy and Integrated Planning Specialist – Hargeisa, Somaliland

IOM

Health Policy and Integrated Planning Specialist – Hargeisa, Somaliland

Vacancy: Health Policy and Integrated Planning SpecialistTerms of Reference

Position:  Health Policy and Integrated Planning Specialist

Position type: Diaspora Participant

Date of Issue: 24.10.2022

Beneficiary Institution:   Ministry of Health Development

Duty Station:  Hargeisa

Stream/Band:  Stipend commensurate with degree and experience

Duration of Assignment:  12 months

II. Background Information 

About the MIDA FINNSOM Health Phase V Project

The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing a “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Through the IOM Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) FINNSOM Health project, Somali diaspora professionals have supported institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development of health institutions across Somaliland since 2008.

The project is currently in its fifth phase (2022-2025), building on lessons learned from the previous phases, and continues its progress towards improving health outcomes in close partnership with the Ministry of Health Development in Somaliland. Through the short-term deployment of diaspora health professionals, the objective is to transfer their skills and knowledge to the local staff in targeted institutions. Local professionals will remain an integral part of this project to contribute to sustainable outcomes in the health sector in Somaliland and to benefit from the knowledge and skills exchange with the diaspora professionals.

The new phase of the MIDA FINNSOM Health project aims to strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for women and girls whilst providing mentoring and training opportunities for local health professionals. The project will give particular attention to gender mainstreaming strategies by promoting women´s participation as MIDA experts, their participation in trainings as local staff, and women´s and girls´ access to quality SRHR services as project beneficiaries. The project will target regional and district hospitals in Borama, Berbera, Buroa, Lasanod and Erigavo as well as some district-level health facilities in underserved areas of Zaylac, Badhan, Ainabo, Odwayne, Buhodle, Sheikh, Arabsiyo, Gabilay, Baligubadle and Salahley, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health Development. The project will also continue to support Hargeisa Group Hospital. MIDA FINNSOM Health project is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

About Somaliland Ministry of Health Development

The Somaliland Ministry of Health Development (MoHD), headquartered in Hargeisa, comprises six main departments: (1) Administration & Finance; (2) Public Health; (3) Reproductive & Child Health; (4) Human Resource Development; (5) Planning & Policy; and, (6) Health Facilities & Medical Services. (7) Mental Health Services

III. Duties & Responsibilities 

The Somaliland Ministry of Health Development, with assistance from the IOM MIDA FINNSOM Health project phase V, seeks to build the institutional capacity of the Ministry by identifying a qualified Health Policy and Integrated Planning Specialist that will be able to provide services and on-the-job training, mentoring and support to MoHD to develop strategic documents to enable sector wide integrated health policy and planning.

The Specialist will be responsible for improving the Ministry’s intuitional capacity in terms of its planning, policy and strategic direction. Some of the key functions and responsibilities of the Specialist will include:

  1. Conduct a baseline needs assessment to gather specific data related to the Ministry and health sector.
  2. Provide technical expertise, leadership, and collaboration in the designing, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of various health sector policies and systems, in particular family planning, reproductive health, maternal and child health as well as health governance, quality improvement, human resources, and public financial management.
  3. Ensures all programs are integrated within the health sector and wherever appropriate in the area of SRHR.
  4. Lead and represent the MoHD in donor engagements and in the implementation of the Health Sector Strategic Plan, as well as engagements with other stakeholders in sector-wide approaches working to ensure integrated planning
  5. Advice staff that work closely with senior government officials, donor representatives, and civil society on policy and strategic issues.
  6. Provide technical expertise and guidance on capacity building, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation to key governmental and non-governmental partners. Assist implementing partners in the development of achievable, measurable plans and objectives for the implementation of innovative family planning, reproductive health, maternal and child health and health sector interventions.
  7. Identifies opportunities for integrating “innovative” approaches into the above-mentioned interventions. Provides technical assessments and recommended strategies to pilot innovative interventions, including integration of innovative approaches into current programs, where appropriate.
  8. Make regular project supervision and monitoring visits to measure progress, identifies delays and problems, if any, and recommends solutions in the sector.
  9. Support the development of long-term health-related strategic plans that will position the MoHD to attain its desired future state.
  10. Lead the development of an integrated work plan.
  11. Support the periodic review and evaluation of the implementation of policies and progress towards meeting milestones, as well as challenges.

The MoHD Project Coordinator, the MoHD M&E Specialist, and IOM program officer will support this assignment through interaction with the qualified expatriate and beneficiary institution.

Skills and Qualifications

IV. Requirements

Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, MIDA FINNSOM Health project phase V is requiring the following deliverables to be completed throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project:

1.      Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali expatriate—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution that staff will benefit from this knowledge.

2.      Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of the assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the supervisor, MoHD coordinator, MoHD M&E Specialist and IOM M&E officer. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.

3.      Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to the supervisor, MoHD Coordinator, MoHD M&E Specialist and IOM M&E officer. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.

4.      Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment.

V. Qualifications

Level of Education:

  • Master’s in public health, health development, or health policy from a reputed and recognized institution.

Area of Study:

  • Public health in health systems, health system research, health planning, and health service delivery.

Years of work experience in what area(s):

  • At least 10 years post-qualification experience in health systems, health system research, health planning, and health service delivery.
  • Published work in the area of health systems or public health.
  • Demonstrated experience in planning and strategy development, demonstrated experience in operationalizing health programs. Experience working in strengthening state/district-level health systems
  • Hands-on experience in capacity building.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment, taking initiative and delivering quality inputs within the time limits.
  • Experience working with senior government officials at the central and regional levels.

Languages needed:

  • Fluent in English.
  • Fluent in Somali.
  • Arabic language will be an advantage.

General Skills / Other Requirements:

  • Strong analytical skills with an ability to evaluate and propose strategic options.
  • Ability to think critically and strategically in difficult conditions to diplomatically challenge the status quo and encourage shared ownership of outcomes.
  • Commitment to ensuring that knowledge transfer and capacity building is central to the work.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication, relationship-building, and networking skills.
  • Crises communications experience with the ability to understand of complexities of political dynamics and to identify the best strategy to reach a win-win situation.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines in a conflict environment.
  • Familiar with poor-resource and low-capacity contexts, and experience in capacity development programs.
  • Respect, Integrity, Commitment, Diversity, Stress Tolerance, Excellence, and Building Partnerships.
  • Strong coaching, training, and mentoring skills.
  • Strong team player, able to develop and maintain effective working relationships within a dynamic team.
  • Capacity to effectively co-ordinate with the various divisions within MoHD
  • Computer proficiency with a high level of familiarity with commonly used packages like MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Good oral presentation and writing skills.

VI: Monthly Stipend

The monthly stipend amount will be determined by MIDA FINNSOM Health project phase V based on degree and years of relevant experience.

VII: Security and Insurance Modalities

Health insurance—including evacuation due to a medical emergency—will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit and able to work in a hardship area in Africa.

Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.

Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Somaliland, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.

How to apply

All applications must be sent to Email: midahargeisa@iom.int   with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION –

To be considered, applicants must provide a cover letter, CV, and the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references by the closing date of this vacancy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The closing date of this application is 07.11.2022, at 12.00 PM EAT.

While this project is geared toward the Somali-Finnish diaspora, members of other Somali diaspora communities are also welcomed to apply. Women are highly encouraged to apply and participate in the MIDA FINNSOM Health Project, Phase V.

 

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