TORs: National Public Policy Expert

KP TA – 17 - Addendum to the Mid-Term Review of the Health Policy Revision and Health Sector Strategic Plan – Revision of Health Policy and Health Sector Strategic Plan for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Programme

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.

Problem Statement

• Policy and Governance: Policy and governance in KP lack clear stewardship from the DOH, contributing to inconsistent implementation and enforcement of healthcare policies. This inconsistency results in gaps in service delivery and accountability, highlighting the need for enhanced clarity and oversight in healthcare governance.
• Unequal Healthcare Access: Despite significant investments in healthcare by the DOH, donors, and the development partners, improvements in health indicators in KP remain limited. The focus primarily on tertiary care over primary healthcare (PHC) has led to systemic inefficiencies and barriers within the healthcare delivery system, hindering progress towards achieving UHC and meeting global health commitments.
• Quality of Healthcare Services: The inconsistencies in quality of care and variable standards across both public and private healthcare facilities present significant challenges in achieving standardised and high-quality healthcare service delivery under the current health policy.
• Financial Constraints: Financial constraints, including limited healthcare budget allocations and reduced fiscal space, are hindering the implementation of provincial strategies. This situation underscores the need for more rationalised, prioritised interventions, and efficient resource allocation to ensure adequate service delivery and infrastructure development in KP.
• Health Information Systems:  The Health Information Systems (HIS) in KP are inefficiently managed across multiple platforms, impeding effective data utilisation for decision-making and resource allocation, thereby hindering the promotion of evidence-based decision-making.
• Public Health Emergencies: Vulnerability to public health emergencies and outbreaks due to inadequate preparedness and response systems.
• Healthcare Infrastructure: Despite significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, desired improvements have not been adequately demonstrated, highlighting ongoing challenges in maintaining sufficient and effective healthcare facilities, equipment, and infrastructure in KP.
• Health Workforce Shortages: Shortages of skilled healthcare professionals, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Objectives

The specific objectives of this TA are:

• Refine strategies and reallocate resources effectively based on specific findings from the mid-term review of the health policy and HSSP.
• Enhance governance and decision-making frameworks to effectively address identified current health challenges and emerging needs.
• Optimise healthcare delivery and measurable health outcomes through targeted revisions of the health policy and sector strategic plan.
• Achieve sustainable health system development by leveraging successful strategies and lessons learned from the mid-term review process.

Scope of Work and Methodology

Timeline and LOE

The level of effort for the role is 40 working days, from August 24 – December 24.

Requirement

Technical Expertise

1. Minimum 10-15 years’ experience.
2. Ability to conduct thorough policy analysis, proficiency in developing strategic plans aligned with organizational or governmental objectives, ability to utilize data and evidence to inform policy decisions.
3. Expertise in identifying potential risks associated with policy decisions and developing risk management strategies. Understanding of global trends in public policy, international best practices, and comparative policy analysis.

Competencies

1. Proficiency in conducting policy research and analysis.
2. Capacity to develop long-term strategies and plans aligned with organizational goals.
3. Strong verbal and written communication skills for conveying complex policy issues to diverse audiences.
4. Ability to identify challenges, propose innovative solutions, and adapt policies as needed.

Deliverables

1. Inception report outlining methodology, timelines, and tools for consultative meetings.
2. Support in developing TOR for Policy and Strategic TWG defining roles and responsibilities.
3. Draft policy with concise reports on stakeholder consultations.
4. Finalised health policy document.
5. Support in developing costed strategic plan detailing strategies and financial allocations for policy objectives.