National Consultant - Planning, Monitoring & Reporting on Health-Related SDGs - (2211621)

19 January 2023
Call for consultation

Objective of the programme 

The Fourth Five-year Health Sector Programme (2017-2022) is underpinned by the commitment of the government to safeguard and improve the health of all the population and establish more equitable access to health services. The 4th Sector Programme forms the foundation stone of the successive sector programmes for realizing the health targets of the SDGs by 2030. It articulates a set of objectives to move the country towards its goal of universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030.  It recognizes important international initiatives and the need for alignment with national commitments; particularly those that are relevant to health and well-being, while building on the gains made towards achieving the MDGs.

The Prime Minister’s Office along with the General Economics Division (GED) of Bangladesh’s Planning Commission are coordinating and monitoring the progress of the sustainable development agenda through the “SDGs Implementation and Monitoring Committee”. The Planning Wing, Health Services Division (HSD) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) is the focal point for monitoring and reporting on the progress of the health-related SDGs and coordinating with GED, the Prime Minister’s Office and other relevant ministries.

The MOHFW is the lead ministry for SDG 3 and co-lead and associate ministry of several other health related goals. SDG 3 is relatively well-off in terms of measurable targets compared with most other goals. The importance of statistics in achieving the health-related SDGs is critical –at the national and sub-national levels for choosing appropriate policy options by decision makers. Data and careful analysis are needed for appropriate decisions and planning as well as to foster accountability of implementers. Report cards may be used to measure progress towards achieving the health-related targets and to ensure the accountability of government and other stakeholders for achieving SDG 3. Appropriate planning, monitoring, reporting and institutional coordination with different stakeholders in the health sector and beyond is crucial for effectively tracking the progress of the SDGs.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the Additional Secretary (Planning), HSD.  The incumbent will be supervised jointly by Additional Secretary (Planning) and an assigned officer in the Health Systems Development Unit of the WHO Country Office.  S/he will work in close coordination with other parts of the MOHFW and related directorates and units; as well as other agencies related to health at the national level. Following are the duties and responsibilities expected from the incumbent:

  • Support the preparation of the health-related SDGs strategies in line with the national goals and targets of in the 7th Five Year Plan; the Fourth Five-year Health Sector Program (2017-2022); and other national level planning documents.
  • Develop a health-related SDGs Monitoring and Results Framework based on global heath related SDG monitoring guidelines, the national SDG M&E framework and other national ones.
  • Assist Planning Wing in establishing the health-related SDGs data repository, web-based data system in the Program Management and Monitoring Unit (PMMU); and develop as well as maintain a web-based dashboard to produce graphical presentation of the health-related SDGs status and trends of its progress.
  • Act as a knowledge manager under the Planning Wing for the health-related SDGs materials required of the HNP sector reporting.
  • Maintain close professional relations with all the MOHFW officials, relevant Ministries specially with GED and the Socio-economic Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, DGHS, DGFP and other agencies and Directorates, Development Partners, UN agencies, and WHO officials when require.
  • Provide necessary assistance to the Additional Secretary (planning), Health Services Division (HSD) in different areas related to planning, reporting, coordination, administration, and event management functions.
  • Coordinate gathering of relevant data (qualitative / quantitative and multiple data sources) and other information required for reporting as per the monitoring and results framework developed; and verify data gathered and provide required interpretation as needed for reporting.
  • Lead the process on behalf of the Planning Wing of annual monitoring of achievement of results and targets for the health-related SDGs and to the analysis of deviations, if any, between planned and actual results achieved.
  • Assist the Planning Wing, HSD-MOHFW to provide regular feedback to the GED of the Planning Commission, Prime Minister’s Office, and other agencies on the performance of the health-related SDGs monitoring.
  • Prepare presentations, profiles, policy notes, briefings, reports, etc. based on the monitoring findings.
  • Report to the WHO Country Office on a regular basis in cognizance with Additional Secretary (Planning), Planning Wing, Health Service Division, MOHFW.
  • Carry out other relevant activities assigned by Additional Secretary (Planning), HSD/ WHO Country Office supervisor. 
  • S/he will routinely work from the planning wing of HSD and expected to visit WHO Country Office as and when requested.


Duration of contract: Up to 31 December 2023 with possibility of extension
Contract type: Special Services Agreement (SSA)
Duty Station:  Bangladesh-Dhaka

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