National consultant to provide technical expertise to integrate the Assistive Technology services in the Primary health care setting

1. Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise to integrate the Assistive Technology services in the Primary health care setting (Princess Basma PHC centre as a model), based on WHO strategic vision to strengthen the PHC services and expand in the integration services.

2. Background

This consultancy falls within the ongoing WHO work to support countries to operationalize resolutions WHA71.8 on “Improving access to assistive technology”. In this it contributes to the regional initiative to operationalize 63^rd WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Committee resolution EM/RC63/R.3 on the same issue. WHO is developing guidance on innovative models of service provision, including good-practice examples from across the globe. Fundamental components include the integration of assistive products service provision into the health system and a network of specialist referral centres connected to the primary health care infrastructure.

Providing assistive technology within universal health coverage, especially at the primary health care level, can reduce health system costs by improving health outcomes, preventing secondary health conditions, and incurring fewer costs related to caregivers and long-term care. This would enable most people to access assistive products for all their functional needs from a single point and would support universal access and early intervention. including assistive technology within universal health coverage and strengthening provision through primary health care will help to foster healthier populations and future generations that can participate and contribute more fully to education, labour markets and civil society.

The assignment focuses on supporting the efforts of the MoH and civil society to provide a comprehensive primary healthcare service at the Princess Basma health centre to integrate assistive technology provision in the delivered care. In 2021, Jordan has successfully conducted with the support of WHO a household survey that was conducted in twelve governates according to population density.

3. Work to be performed.

Output 1: Establish a model for the integration of Assistive Technology (AT) provision at the primary health care (PHC) level with appropriate referral pathways, the following deliverables are to be completed in close consultation and collaboration with the concerned technical team in MOH and WHO:

Deliverable 1.1:Coordinate, follow up and implement the integration of Assistive Technology (AT) services within the primary health care services of Princess Basma Comprehensive PHC Centre- MoH

·Provide technical support for stock management and good storge practices for these secured Assistive Product (AP)

·Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan to assess the impact of the project on patients, primary care providers, and service delivery across the health system.

Deliverable 1.2:Lead and coordinate institutional activities across all the relative stakeholders (i.e., MoH, Himmetna, etc.) for implementing and integrating the AT services in the health centre.

Deliverable 1.3: Develop, in coordination with the MoH officials, a referral protocol for AT users who might need further care beyond primary healthcare, and a policy for dispensing different AP.

·Review and endorse the developed protocols for the provision of products and referral pathways to the hospital.

·Develop the policy for dispensing AP to the beneficiaries.

·Identify any potential policy gaps or barriers that may impact the implementation and provide recommendations to address them.

Deliverable 1.4: Provide training and guidance to MoH health care providers, including the necessary trainings in AT drawing on the WHO Training in Assistive Products (TAP) and other capacity building programs.

·Provide a training plan, including the subjects, time frame, and list of participants.

·Provide theoretical training workshops and practical training in the field.

Deliverable 1.5: Advocate, in coordination with the MoH officials, for allocating a separate annually renewed budget for the centre dedicated for AT services to ensure sustainability.

·Develop an estimated allocated budget for AT provision.

·Develop a policy brief after the end of the project.

Deliverable 1.6: Build awareness and knowledge on different aspects of AT provision and availability of AP and conducting communications campaigns for the healthcare providers and beneficiaries.

·Prepare information posters for clients/beneficiaries about the available services.

·Develop and implement awareness session and communication campaigns on AT and AP.

Deliverable 1.7: Develop a narrative summary report on the project, inducing the undertaken activities, training workshops, field visits and meetings with the MoH and other stakeholders.

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Master’s Degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Occupational therapist, physiotherapist, or another related medical field.

Desirable: Specialty in physical medicine, rehabilitation, disability, ophthalmic or other.

Experience:

At least 7 years of professional experience working, in the assistive technology field. with strong training and capacity-building expertise, including previous experience in the Jordan Health system and context, especially in the primary and tertiary healthcare system

Experience working in collaboration with the World Health Organization is essential in order to understand WHO’s roles and core functions.

Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:

·Demonstrated expertise in provision of a broad range of assistive products, ideally within a health facility setting.

·Strong training and capacity building expertise; previous experience as a trainer for health care providers.

·Demonstrated experience in systems implementation / management experience.

·Previous experience in Jordan Health system and context will be consider as an added value.

·Previous working experience and/or knowledge in the primary and tertiary health care system.

·Experience in project management and monitoring & evaluation the ongoing progress.

·Previous experience working in less resourced settings.

·High-level communication and interpersonal skills.

·Strong organizational skills.

·Problem solving and negotiating abilities to work with multiple stakeholders.

·Proficient in computer applications, especially with Microsoft Office.

Languages and level required:

Expert level in English and Arabic

5. Location

Amman – Jordan (on-site)

6. Planned timelines (Subject to confirmation)

(40 working days)

Start date: 9 June 2024

End date: 15 December 2024

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.

Additional Information

· This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

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