Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) National Consultant

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to technically support the 3RF task force for health recovery, reform and policy actions in the healthcare sector and to move forward with the strategic plan of implementing commitments to health policy reform in the health sector. The national expert is expected to coordinate and speed up the work of the 3RF task force in the health sector focusing on higher level strategic and policy level commitments.

2. Background

The Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) is a multi-donor joint document established by the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank in 2020 as an institutional response to the Beirut Port explosion. This framework was launched after the Beirut blast with the aim of implementing critically needed reforms to support reconstruction and to help restore people’s trust in governmental institutions by improving governance. In recent years, the 3RF covers beyond the scope of the Port of Beirut blast and focuses on inclusive policy dialogue and on the implementation of reforms and the long-term reconstruction of critical assets, services, and infrastructure, enabling sustainable economic recovery across all of Lebanon.

The Government of Lebanon committed to the priorities of the 3RF, and it has been leading the discussions of much-needed reforms through the 3RF task force. International organizations and local civil society organizations played an important role in advocating and supporting the 3RF’s key goals and objectives. The 3RF is structured with different strategic pillars or sectors, and one of them is the health sector. Since 2021, the health task force has initiated engagement on strategic and high-level health policy and reform elements committed to by the international community and Government of Lebanon (GoL) under the Reconstruction, Recovery, and Reform Framework (3RF). The 3RF health sector task force is led by the Ministry of Public Health, while EU and WHO are co-leading the sector. 3RF health sector task force complements the existing national health sector working group led by the MoPH together with WHO and UNHCR. In 2022, the MOPH, with support from WHO, EU and other partners, developed a national health sector strategic framework (NHSSF), that defined the key priority areas and gave directions to the reform process. The task force aims to contribute to the implementation of the national health sector strategy, which was launched by the MoPH in February 2023.

Acknowledging the work of the MoPH over the past years, which has resulted in some progress in identifying key reform priorities, such as: initiation of digitalization at the MOPH with a road map for that under finalization, review of the hospitals tariffications, establishing a pharmaceutical automated national traceability system to improve MOPH governance in this sector, updating the PHC packages of care and WB supported project based on capitation is being finalized. A national UHC law is being processed through the relevant government channels but more needs to be done to implement these reform priorities. Another focus of the task force is to speed up the recovery and rebuilding of the healthcare systems after the most recent conflict.

The task force for health recovery and reform seeks to bring together the major donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations and the GoL through the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) as the active stakeholders in the health sector for advocacy and coordination on reform and policy level commitments laid out under the 3RF. The Task force members include Government of Lebanon (MOPH lead), European Union (co-lead and secretariat), World Health Organization (co-lead), World Bank, UN health partners – UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, IOM, UNRWA, National Health Sector Working Group Civil Society Representatives for iNGO and for lNGOs (3RF CSO representatives, LHIF and LHDF Health representatives, other donors and relevant stakeholders

Several discussion meetings have already been held, with different departments and PHC and Pharmaceutical sectors were highlighted as priority areas of support under the reform. Health financing, taxation for health and health security, and overall emergency preparedness and response are also areas for potential support and prioritization.

In response to the request from the 3RF secretariat and EU, WHO country office intends to hire a national expert who would be able to provide strategic advice and support to the 3RF task force for health. This expertise will require effective skills to conduct very high-level strategic dialogue and consensus building with relevant government institutions and key stakeholders in the health sector.

3. Work to be performed

In close coordination with WHO team leads, and consultation with EU and MOPH co-leads of the Task force, the consultant will:

Output 1: Technical guidance for the health sector recovery and reform initiatives led by the 3RF secretariat and working closely with key stakeholders in the health sector, MoPH in particular.

1.1 Provide technical support to the 3RF secretariat to guide the health sector reform through discussion and decision-making process

1.2 Map out the existing health reform activities that have been initiated since 2020 and identify the status of these reforms

1.3 Facilitate the prioritization of health sector reform activities in consultation with task force members and other stakeholders.

1.4 Identify and align with existing governmental strategies or initiatives for recovery and reform

1.5 Participate and co-organize bilateral discussions with relevant task force members and other stakeholders to solicit their input on the recovery and reform priorities.

1.6 Prepare relevant documents to facilitate regular dialogue on 3RF priorities in the health sector related to policies and reforms and agree division of labor amongst its members.

1.7 Formulate, after consultation with the members of the working group and other relevant stakeholders, a 3–5 years 3RF health sector plan taking into account identified priorities and projects.

Output 2: Support and facilitate the work of the 3RF task force secretariate on health in coordination with other stakeholders

2.1 Support the 3RF secretariat in the preparation of quarterly Consultative Group Meetings.

2.2 Organize 4 meetings per year with relevant documentation for the Task force on health

2.3 Follow up the implementation of the agreed actions by the task force members

2.4 Assist the MoPH in following up the reform progress and reporting to the task force secretariat.

2.5 Facilitate bilateral discussion between MoPH and other relevant stakeholders to fast-track the implementation of the agreed reform priorities.

2.6 Submit periodical progress reports and documentation of health sector reform progress in coordination with MoPH and other stakeholders

4. Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

In consultation and coordination with

Dr. Gabriel Novelo Sierra, Team Lead for WHE Programme

E-Mail schreiben

WR, Lebanon

5. Specific requirements

• Qualifications required:

· University degree in in public health, health policy, health systems, health management or health emergencies with a focus on governance, recovery and reform is desirable.

· Desirable:

· An advanced university degree in health policy, health systems, health management or health emergencies (PhD, MPH or equivalent), with a focus on governance, recovery and reform is desirable.

·

• Experience required:

· At least 5 years of experience in the field of public health/ health systems development, preferably at the national level

• Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

· An in-depth understanding of the National Health system in Lebanon.

· Experience in fragile contexts and protracted crises.

· Knowledge and negotiating skills on handling government officials, donors, UN agencies and civil society

· Good communication and report writing skills.

• Language requirements:

· Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic; French is an asset

6. Place of assignment

· Beirut, Lebanon

7. Medical clearance

· The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8. Travel

· The Consultant is not expected to travel outside the country or duty station