Health Specialist - Mid Term Assessment of the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda

SUMMARY ABOUT THE PROJECT

Field Support Services Project (FSSP) is a five-year project (October 2019 – October 2024) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and managed by Cowater International. FSSP provides administrative, financial, procurement, and logistical services as well as support to the in-country development programming for the Government of Canada through the provision of technical specialists in gender equality, governance and human rights, and environment and climate action and assisting GAC in procuring and managing local development initiatives. These programs will take place in Indonesia and the ASEAN regions.

It is expected that the lndonesia-ASEAN FSSP will increase the effectiveness and relevance of Canada's international assistance program in Indonesia and in the ASEAN region. Technical Specialists procured under the FSSP will support GAC in responding to the needs and priorities of Indonesia and the ASEAN region, policy dialogue and knowledge building and sharing.

BACKGROUND

Under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint 2016-2025, ASEAN is moving towards realizing a Community that engages and benefits the peoples and is inclusive, resilient, and dynamic.  Inherent in this vision is a healthy, caring and sustainable ASEAN Community where the people achieves maximal health potential through healthy lifestyles, have universal access to quality care and financial risk protection, and living in an environment free from the negative implications of non-communicable diseases, emerging health threats, infectious diseases, poor health systems, and unhealthy diet and unsafe food. These are all in the context of a sustainable inclusive development where health is incorporated in all policies. 

To achieve this regional aspiration, the Work Programmes for ASEAN Post 2015 Health Development Agenda (APDHA) for 2016-2020 were developed based on the results-based framework by four (4) ASEAN Health Clusters. These were finalized and adopted during the 13th AHMM in 2017 in Brunei Darussalam. In these APDHA Work Programmes, health-related ASCC Blueprint strategic measures were identified than can be supported or implemented through the ASEAN Health Cluster activities. The Work Programmes’ key performance indicators and targets, both qualitative and quantitative, were approved by the ASEAN Health Sector to set the bounds and delineate the scope of implementation and measure.

To guide the implementation and review of sectoral work programmes under the ASCC, the Blueprint specifies the principles and frameworks for regional socio-cultural cooperation.  Institutional mechanisms, implementation strategies and strengthened ASEAN institutional capacity and presence are among those employed to ensure that the implementation and review of the ASCC Blueprint can be as realized though the sectoral work programmes.

Figure 1 represents the M&E Logic Model to support ASCC Blueprint implementation.  The Logic Model incorporates the ASCC Blueprint and Sectoral work plans to the level of desired accomplishments as determined by the hierarchy of indicators.  Three (3) types Frameworks are used to monitor the relationship of planned work to the intended results. At the ASCC Blueprint level, where over all goals/ objectives of ASEAN are measured, cross pillar monitoring and evaluation is applied.  At the strategic level, where Key Result Areas and Strategic Measures are respectively measured by outcome and intermediate outcome indicators (KPIs), result/outcome based monitoring system is utilised.  At the operational or tactical level where sectoral work programmes and projects are implemented, implementation-focused monitoring system is used. Based on this Figure, the monitoring of sectoral work plan or programme implementation involves the measurement of a hierarchy of characteristics and elements and indicators, particularly inputs corresponding to process indicators and activities corresponding to output indicators. The overall review the ASCC Blueprint 2025 serves as a reference to ensure the alignment of the monitoring and evaluation of the ASEAN Post-2015 Development Agenda Work Programmes.

As part of the implementation–focused monitoring of ASCC Blueprint, the Mid-Term Assessment of the APDHA Work Programmes will cover the period from 2016 to 2020.  This assessment is proposed to provide direction and to ensure the continuity of regional priorities and programmes of ASEAN Health Sector for 2021 to 2025 (including health security cooperation initiatives through the Mitigation of Biological Threats Programme).  The current work programme duration of the APDHA is from 2016 to 2020, which has been aligned with the implementation of the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together Blueprint or Roadmap.  As the timeline of the ASCC’s Blueprint is from 2016-2025, the APHDA’s Mid-Term Assessment accounts for the period from 2016-2020.

This proposed assessment is not new to the ASEAN Health Sector. A similar exercise was done in 2014 to evaluate the ASEAN Strategic Framework on Health Development 2010-2015. Results of which led to the design and development of the current APDHA, its Work Programmes and the Governance and Implementation Mechanisms. This Mid-Term Assessment is proposed to be conducted by an external consultant. The results of the assessment will be submitted to the designated focal points of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development (SOMHD) for guidance and discussion on the next steps of the ASEAN Health Sector Cooperation within the period of 2021-2025.

SUMMARY OF POSITION (OBJECTIVES)

The objectives of the proposed Mid-Term Assessment include the following:

1. To provide critical assessment of the progress of the implementation of the ASEAN Post 2015 Health Development Agenda for 2016-2020 through ASEAN Health Cooperation. This will include the assessment of the existing governance and implementation mechanisms, the Terms of Reference (TOR) of ASEAN Health Clusters and partnerships developed to implement the Work Programmes, among others.
2. To identify strategic options for the following to:
   1. Address the sustainability of the internal gains obtained in the implementation of the ASEAN Post 2015 Health Development Agenda from 2016-2020, including current initiatives on health security via the Mitigation of Biological Threats Programme;
   2. Address existing internal gaps and challenges in the implementation of APDHA and its Work Programmes as they contribute to the ASCC Blueprint;
   3. Determine opportunities and threats in global and regional health communities that may influence or affect the development of the post-2020 health development agenda and the complementarities of the its post-2020 Work Programmes to global priorities;
   4. Determine the next steps for ASEAN Health Sector Cooperation in pursuing programme planning based on the assessment; and,
   5. Recommend the health development agenda and corresponding strategic directions and actions for 2021 to 2025.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (SERVICES PROVIDED)

Under the direction of the Health Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, the expected services of the Health Specialist will include, but not be limited to:

• Coordinate with ASEAN Secretariat particularly Health Division officers, ASEAN Health Cluster Chairs and Vice Chairs, ASEAN Health Cluster Country Coordinators and other relevant contact points from ASEAN Member States and external partners;
• Design and prepare the tools necessary to obtain or collect information and data (e.g. key informant and focus group questionnaires);
• Undertake missions, as needed, to collect data and information and to personally meet with ASEAN Health Cluster Chairs and Vice Chairs, ASEAN Health Cluster Country Coordinators and ASEAN Member States contact points, and other external partners;
• Undertake possible consultations with Dialogue and Development Partners;
• Review activities and outputs of the ASEAN Health Clusters for 2016-2020;
• Organize a workshop to present, validate and discuss preliminary findings with ASEAN Secretariat; and
• Develop and finalize the deliverables, namely the inception and final report.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

The expected outputs include an inception report and a final report. 

The Inception report will have a maximum of 10 pages and will include the complete methodology or technical approach towards the conduct of the Mid-Term Assessment and review of some relevant reports that will facilitate understanding the ASEAN Health Sector, APDHA and its implementation. This report will level expectations in the deliverables of the consultancy.

The Final report, on the other hand, should include the identification and assessment of the programmatic gains, gaps and challenges in the internal and external environment of the ASEAN Health Sector based on the current Work Programmes of the APHDA; and, the opportunities and threats from the external environment.  With the analysis of these information, recommendations will be generated that involves the strategic options and directions for 2021-2025 by the ASEAN Health Sector Cooperation for its health development agenda and corresponding work programmes including follow-up project activities, and corresponding key performance targets and indicators.  Annexed to this report will be minutes of any scheduled meetings.

The expected outputs will be submitted to the ASEAN Health Clusters and ASEAN SOMHD for review and inputs.  The outputs will serve as guide for SOMHD and the ASEAN Health Clusters in the programme design and development, and governance and implementation of the ASEAN Post-2020 Health Development Agenda.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Experience:

• Experience in health assessment or programme evaluation including stakeholder assessment of regional or international scope;
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation work, programme and policy management experience;
• Results-based planning, monitoring and evaluation expertise;
• In-depth knowledge of public health programmes and priorities of global and regional scope;
• Familiarity or knowledge on institutionalization of government in ASEAN and ASEAN Health Development;
• Excellent English writing and communication skills;
• Ability to manage stakeholder consultations; and
• Ability to function in an independent, objective and neutral manner.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications to admin@fssp.or.id latest by Friday 12 June 2020, Jakarta time:

1. Financial Proposal shall be submitted in the following format:
2. Brief statement as to why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
3. CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
   1. The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily rate for up to 20 working days;
   2. The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee and when applicable any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract, not including travel expenses.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

EVALUATION OF APPLICATION

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of the weighted criteria (70% technical score (comprising of 15% technical qualifications desk review, 25% written test, and 30% interview) and 30% financial score).

The proposals that achieve a minimum of 70% for the technical qualifications desk review shall be further considered for an interview and written test. The financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received for the assignment.

Technical Score (70%)	Financial Score (30%)
Technical qualifications desk review (based on the criteria and points listed below) (15%)
Written test (25%)
Interview  (30%)

Technical Qualifications Desk Review

The evaluation of the Technical criteria will be as follows:

St No	Criteria	Points
1	Academic qualifications of the Consultant	10 points
2	Experience in health assessment or programme evaluation including stakeholder assessment of regional or international scope.	30 points
3	Experience in monitoring and evaluation work, programme and policy management.	20 points
4	Results-based planning, monitoring and evaluation expertise.	20 points
5	In-depth knowledge of public health programmes and priorities of global and regional scope.	10 points
6	Familiarity or knowledge on institutionalization of government in ASEAN and ASEAN Health Development.	10 points
	Total points	100 points

With more than 34 years’ experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017 and 2018. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec, Paris, France, Pretoria, South Africa, and London, United Kingdom, Nairobi, Kenya in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.

1. To identify strategic options for the following to: