KP TA: Revision of the National Health Support Program (NHSP) PC-I for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Evidence for Health (E4H) is a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)-funded programme aimed at strengthening Pakistan's healthcare system, thereby decreasing the burden of illness and saving lives. E4H provides technical assistance (TA) to the Federal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Punjab governments, and is being implemented by Palladium along with Oxford Policy Management (OPM).

Through its flexible, embedded, and demand-driven model, E4H supports the government to achieve a resilient health system that is prepared for health emergencies, responsive to the latest evidence, and delivers equitable, quality, and efficient healthcare services. Specifically, E4H delivers TA across three outputs:

Output 1: Strengthened integrated health security, with a focus on preparing and responding to health emergencies, including pandemics.

Output 2: Strengthened evidence-based decision-making to drive health sector performance and accountability.

Output 3: Improved implementation of Universal Health Coverage, with a focus on ending preventable deaths.

Position Summary

The primary objective of this TA is to ensure that the necessary health system strengthening components are incorporated for the PfR approach. This will be achieved by revising the PC-I to include the required provisions for financial assistance under PfR.

The team of consultants is expected to provide embedded support throughout the rollout of this assignment and be present with the designated focal point - the NHSP team, to ensure seamless coordination and progress.

1. The consultants are required to conduct a thorough review of all relevant documents, policies, and materials, followed by consultations with the NHSP team, other units within the DOH, World Bank, and implementing partners to gain clarity, understanding, and ensuring alignment with ongoing DOH initiatives as well as E4H and partner initiatives.
2. The consultants will review the NHSP PC-I to identify any gaps and propose recommendations to the Project Director (PD) NHSP and DOH.
3. After the suggestions are agreed upon with the PD NHSP and DOH, the team will conduct the costing of the initiatives in PC-I to ensure their financial feasibility, alignment with the objectives, and fulfil the requirements outlined in the PC-I submitted for approval to the relevant authorities.
4. The team is expected to make all necessary revisions to the PC-I, incorporating the changes mutually agreed upon with the PD NHSP and DOH.
5. Additionally, the team will support the preparation of a slide deck, and a concept note with justifications to facilitate presentations to the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP), Central Development Working Party (CDWP), and the World Bank to expedite the approval process and ensure timely implementation of the initiatives.

Responsibilities

The Health System Expert will work to achieve the following:

1. Revised draft of PC-I, finalized and agreed by PD NHSP.
2. Meeting minutes documenting the agreement on the proposed changes to the draft PC-I.
3. Slide decks and concept notes prepared for PDWP, CDWP, and WB.

Timeline and Days

The level of effort for the role is 25 working days, from December 2024 – March 2025.

Requirement

Technical Expertise

• In-depth knowledge of health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on governance, primary healthcare, and service delivery improvement.
• Strong understanding of UHC frameworks, policies, and strategies, particularly in relation to health financing, equity, and access to essential services.
• Expertise in designing, reviewing, and implementing health policies, particularly those aimed at improving service delivery and achieving health system goals.
• Proven ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, international organizations, and implementing partners, to align policies and strategies with health system goals.
• Knowledge of designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of health policies, programs, and UHC initiatives.

 Competencies

• Strong leadership abilities with the capacity to provide strategic guidance and direction on health system reforms and UHC initiatives.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills to present complex technical information to a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, and the public.
• Ability to analyse complex health system challenges and propose evidence-based solutions to overcome them.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with key stakeholders and facilitate collaborative decision-making processes.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and coordinate activities across diverse teams.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing contexts, new challenges, and evolving project needs, ensuring that health system strengthening efforts remain relevant and impactful.