Human Resources For Health (Hrh)/Government-To-Government (G2G)

DescriptionAccelerating Support to Advanced Local Partners (ASAP) is a three-year task order contract (AID-OAA-I-14-00031) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It is under the Technical Assistance Support Contract 4 (TASC4) Africa IDIQ over a three-year period (2019-2021). ASAP rapidly prepares local partners, and in some cases national government entities, to serve as prime partners for USAID/PEPFAR programming in compliance with USAID and PEPFAR procedures for PEPFAR program implementation in FY20 and FY21, including by strengthening their capabilities and resources. ASAP focuses on the 23 PEPFAR long-term strategy support countries and 28 Strategic and Technical Alignment for Results (STAR) countries in sub-Saharan Africa. ASAP has two strategic objectives: Strengthen local partners as they transition to receive PEPFAR funding as USAID prime partners to comply with regulations, and Prepare local partners to directly manage, implement, and monitor PEPFAR programs, and maintain consistent PEPFAR program achievement and quality The ASAP consortium is led by IntraHealth International and includes Pact, DAI, Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), Global Communities and U.S. small business Ona Systems, Inc. USAID Malawi is providing direct funding to the Ministry of Finance, Zomba District Council (ZDC) and in advance stages of providing direct funding to Mangochi District Council and later other districts through the Government to Government (G2G) funding mechanism. The aim is to contribute to the improvement of positive health outcomes through supporting implementation of key health systems strengthening and selected health service activities. Priority areas for support include human resources for health (HRH), including increasing the numbers of critical healthcare workers; provision of essential medical and information management tools and equipment, service delivery in HIV/AIDs care and treatment; tuberculosis; child protection and welfare; maternal and child health, family planning and nutrition; procurement, finance, and administration; and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). The G2G approach also supports strengthening of district healthcare governance and accountability. As this is the first time USAID is using the G2G approach in Malawi, HRH technical assistance (TA) is needed to mitigate the inherent programmatic risk associated with G2G especially when using both the Fixed Amount Reimbursement (FAR) and the Cost Reimbursement (CR) methods, all of which are supported with cash advances from USAID/Malawi. USAID Malawi Office of Financial Management (OFM) will support and manage the financial management and risk mitigation aspect of all G2G awards in Malawi with technical support from relevant USAID country backstops in Washington. There is a plan to recruit USAID staff in field offices to support organizational and oversight implementation of all G2G awards closer to the Districts, while management of all G2G awards will remain with USAID/Malawi health team members. Additionally, the HRH2030 Malawi Activity is currently providing support to ZDC in related HR matters. However, that support will end in August 2021. To ensure continuity of HRH-related efforts, the HRH TA proposed will largely work at both the national level and the USAID G2G targeted districts to ensure that underlying HRH systems and cross government coordination around the use of these systems is functional. It is anticipated that the above TA will be provided by a G2G HRH Technical Assistant as part of ASAP’s support with the end goal to support implementation of G2G supported interventions, strengthen program and financial accountability for sustained health outcomes. The TA will ensure that districts have the required HRH technical support to meet the agreed milestones on time and with quality. Roles and Responsibilities The G2G HRH Technical Assistant will serve as technical expert advising the mission on effective strategies and approaches to HRH programming and implementation under G2G awards. She/he will provide overall technical support to relevant line ministries, as well as the USAID targeted G2G districts, to ensure underlying HRH systems, and cross government coordination, is functional, and the districts receive the required HRH technical support to enable them deliver the agreed milestones on time and with quality. The TA would be based primarily in Lilongwe, embedded at Department of Human Resources Management and Development (DHRMD), with travel to Zomba, Mangochi, and other districts, as needed; as well as occasional support to other relevant line ministries (e.g., Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Local Government Service Commission, MOF, MOH). Reporting and coordination lines This position will report to the ASAP Director with direct, day-to-day support from the DAI Technical Coordinator. It is anticipated that this position will have regular touchpoints with DAI G2G embedded advisors at the district level (currently Zomba, and then Mangochi) to align workplans, prioritize activities, jointly problem-solve, and implement mutually reinforcing solutions. Reporting lines may shift, with the Technical Assistant taking on management of other embedded advisors, depending on the management and oversight needs as the project progresses. Throughout the project period, the TA will also liaise closely with GOM counterparts to include HR Management and Development Teams, DHMT, NLGSC other TAs, and the Chair of National HRH TWG. Illustrative tasks to be undertaken by the HRH technical assistant (TA) include: Provide HRH TA to the USAID targeted G2G districts in designing, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting on the different HRH interventions to ensure timely delivery of quality and cost-effectiveness milestones. Facilitate coordination across the different HRH stakeholders within the USAID targeted G2G districts and at national level. Provide TA to Zomba, Mangochi, and USAID to mitigate key HR/management risks identified during the risk assessments and other emerging risks throughout the life of the activity through co-developing and implementing a programmatic risk mitigation plan, including TA at the MOF and LGSC. Work with Zomba and Mangochi to update/develop HRH strategic plans for their districts including supporting the district HRH management team, with an actionable and time-bound management plan and monitoring system to ensure timely delivery of HRH milestones. Provide support to facilitating revision and monitor effectiveness of key HRH policies and operations procedures. Provide TA in the implementation of a Performance Management System (PMS) at district levels to ensure their progression. Create a process/plan that ensures regular staff audits and name verification, particularly in Zomba. Establish monitoring schedules and staff monitoring in their duty stations. Establish an employee performance evaluation cycle at LGSC; Zomba and Mangochi. Work with LGSC, Mangochi and Zomba to ensure the process is supported and sustained after project period. Create a staff needs assessment that is conducted yearly and followed during appraisal processes. Provide TA to the district HRH and M&E team to develop a standardized performance monitoring, evaluation and learning plans to measure the health impact of G2G agreements, as well as develop monitoring and review mechanisms for staff management plans. Conduct annual analysis of HRH inventories to inform HRH planning and management decisions (including HRH need for HIV/AIDS services at national level for both professional and lay cadres). Facilitate coordination in the recruitment, deployment, supervision, development, and management of USAID-funded HCWs under G2G award. Facilitate knowledge sharing, continuous learning, and the development of a community of practice among stakeholders and facilitating networking and information sharing for HRH G2G best practices, including collaborate with USAID to identify and disseminate G2G success stories. Participate in monthly and later quarterly meetings between USAID and the supported departments in the USAID targeted G2G districts to monitor implementation and jointly resolve implementation bottlenecks . Participate in and contribute to functional reviews led by the Department of Human Resources Management and Development (DHRMD). Act as conduit of HRH knowledge through bringing in new knowledge in form of methods, tools, frameworks and case studies. Strengthen collaboration between HR Management Team and clinical managers/supervisors in implementing HR policies, strategy and procedures. On behalf of ASAP, actively participate in national HRH forums: i.e., iHRIS implementation monitoring, National health workforce establishment and HRH Technical Group meetings. As needed: Identify and manage additional consultants for key HRH support at district level Represent ASAP project in various events or meetings Additional tasks specific to the Missions’ requests Desired Experience At least 12 years of experience in managing donor-funded projects related to HRH, public financial management Familiarity with G2G agreements and accompanying assessments Experience with capacity development plans, risk mitigation strategies, and project delivery Experience working with the Government of Malawi and with the local systems Proven capacity acting in a high-level representative role and working with myriad stakeholders, including US and local government officials, and private sector actors Knowledge of health policy and human resources for health; experience in finance and auditing a plus Ability to proactively anticipate and respond to rapidly changing conditions and activity needs and deliver results Fluency in English Period of Performance and LOE o/a August 2021 – February 2022 (approximately 145 days), with possible extension conditional upon additional funding Illustrat