Call for a Consultant to support the WHO Rehabilitation Programme develop a resource for the integration of rehabilitation into health financing

19 August 2021
Call for consultant

 

Contract Duration: 12 months 
 
Closing Date / Time for applications: 30 August 2021 18:00 CET 

 

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to work with the WHO Rehabilitation Programme to develop a knowledge product on the:

  • Financing of rehabilitation for achievement of Universal Health Coverage  

2. Background

Health and demographic trends are changing, populations are ageing, people are living longer with chronic and infectious diseases, and the consequences of injuries, and as a result there is an increasing need for rehabilitation. While rehabilitation needs increase, the reality in most low- and middle-income countries is that current needs are not met and the necessary health planning and investment is limited. These challenges have only been further compounded by the COVID19 pandemic, which has created a new surge in rehabilitation needs and substantial disruption to existing services.

In order to address this situation, WHO launched the Rehabilitation 2030 initiative1 in 2017 and is developing a suite of practical guidance for countries to strengthen rehabilitation in health systems. 

Integrating rehabilitation into health financing  

A key action required for successful strengthening is to effectively integrate rehabilitation into health financing. To do this, evidence-based guidance for policy and programme decision makers is required. This knowledge product will synthesize evidence regarding the financing of rehabilitation, taking into account the characteristics of rehabilitation services and different health system financing context. It will analyze options for integrating rehabilitation in countries' Universal health Coverage platforms and provide practical recommendations on how to use equitable and efficient financing approaches to scale up rehabilitative services.  

To achieve this, WHO Rehabilitation Programme is currently looking for a consultant with extensive experience in rehabilitation, excellent project management skills, extensive experience with evaluating evidence and excellent writing skills. The consultant is expected to work closely with other members of the WHO Rehabilitation Programme.

3. Work to be performed

Output 1: A knowledge product focused on the financing of rehabilitation. 

1.1 Contribute to the process of evidence synthesis, including literature review, expert interviews and collection of country case studies.

1.2 Support technical consultation meetings with experts and Member States whereby evidence is reviewed, country experiences are analyzed and guidance for policy and programme decision makers is identified.   

1.3 Support the drafting, review, finalization, design and publishing of knowledge product.

4. Timelines (estimated)

Start date:  1/10/2021                                End date: 30/09/2022

5. Work effort

Full time (40 hours per week, 20 days a month) for 12 months. 

6. Specific requirements

Qualifications:              

  • Essential: University degree in a rehabilitation science, such as rehabilitation medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, or similar;
  • Essential: Advanced university degree in public health or a related field.

Experience:       

  • Essential: at least 10 years of experience in rehabilitation; 
  • Essential: demonstrated experience in project management and collaboration; 
  • Essential: previous experience working with conducting systematic literature reviews; 
  • Essential: demonstrated experience in writing technical documents;
  • Desirable: previous experience with WHO or other UN agencies;
  • Desirable: experience working in low- or middle-income countries on implementation of projects/programmes related to rehabilitation or public health.    

Technical skills and knowledge:

  • Advanced technical knowledge in public health and rehabilitation;  
  • Excellent skills in evidence synthesis and appraisal;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

- Language requirements:

  • Essential: English, Expert- read, write and speak. 

7. Place of assignment

Outstation / remote consultancy. Once COVID-19 travel restrictions ease, the consultant will be expected to visit the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland periodically in order to facilitate close working with other WHO teams and external partners.

8. Applications

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to rehabilitation@who.int by 30 August 2021 18:00 CET and include reference number HQ/UCN/NCD/SDR/Rehab_UHC in the subject.

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed fee (per month) and availability. Only successful candidates will be contacted.