Health Technical Coordinator for the Health Sector Reform Program

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Individual Consultant – Health Technical Coordinator GFPP Preparation Grant No. E6710

Project Name: Preparation Grant for the Health Sector Reform Program

Bid Reference: UZ-MEF-HEALTH-IC-01-CS-INDV

1. Background

The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) of the Republic of Uzbekistan is implementing the Grant Facility for Program Preparation (GFPP) IDA Grant No. E6710 , financed by the World Bank, to support the preparation of the proposed Health Sector Reform Program. The objective of the Grant is to finance technical assistance, analytical work, institutional strengthening, and project preparation activities required for the design of the future World Bank-financed Health Sector Reform Program. The Grant supports the Government of Uzbekistan in preparing key technical, institutional, fiduciary, environmental and social, and implementation arrangements necessary for the proposed operation. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU), established under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is responsible for overall implementation of the Grant, including procurement, financial management, contract administration, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, coordination with the World Bank, and overall fiduciary oversight. Implementation of the Grant requires close collaboration between the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Health, technical consultants, other government institutions, and the World Bank. The Ministry of Health serves as the principal technical counterpart for the preparation of the future Health Sector Reform Program and provides technical leadership for a number of Grant activities. To strengthen the PIU's technical capacity and facilitate effective implementation of technical activities financed under the Grant, the PIU intends to engage an experienced Health Technical Coordinator as an Individual Consultant.

2. Description of GFPP Grant Activities

The Grant finances technical assistance and project preparation activities required for the preparation of the proposed Health Sector Reform Program. Indicative activities financed under the Grant include, but are not limited to: Component 1. Technical Studies and Health Sector Reform Preparation technical and analytical studies supporting health sector reforms; development of methodologies and technical approaches for primary health care services; preparation of policy recommendations for strengthening health financing and service delivery; technical assistance related to provider payment mechanisms and the Guaranteed Benefits Package; institutional and sector assessments; feasibility and analytical studies required for preparation of the future Program.

Component 2. Institutional Strengthening and Project Readiness strengthening institutional capacity of participating agencies; environmental and social assessments and implementation readiness; strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems; strengthening fiduciary systems, including procurement and financial management; preparation of implementation arrangements for the proposed Program.

Component 3. Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange organization of technical workshops; international study visits; overseas training programs; knowledge exchange activities; dissemination of international good practices relevant to health sector reforms.

Implementation of these activities requires effective coordination among government agencies, consultants, and development partners to ensure timely delivery of technical outputs and successful preparation of the future Program.

3. Implementation Arrangements

The Grant will be implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Finance through the existing Project Implementation Unit (PIU), which is responsible for fiduciary management, procurement, financial management, contract administration, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and coordination with the World Bank. The Ministry of Health will provide technical leadership and guidance for technical activities financed under the Grant. Various national and international consultants and consulting firms will be engaged to carry out analytical studies, technical assessments, institutional reviews, and capacity-building activities. The Health Technical Coordinator shall work under the overall supervision of the PIU Manager and shall provide technical support to the PIU in coordinating health-related activities financed under the Grant. The Consultant shall work closely with representatives of the Ministry of Health, consultants engaged under the Grant, other government agencies, and the World Bank Task Team. The Consultant shall provide technical advice and support to facilitate timely implementation of consulting assignments, preparation and review of technical documentation, monitoring of implementation progress, and communication between technical stakeholders.

4. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of the assignment is to provide professional health sector technical support to the Project Implementation Unit under the Ministry of Economy and Finance in implementing activities financed under the GFPP IDA Grant No. E6710 . The Consultant shall support the PIU Manager in coordinating technical aspects of Grant implementation, facilitate communication with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, assist in the preparation and review of technical documentation, monitor implementation of consulting assignments from a technical perspective, and contribute to timely achievement of the Grant objectives. The Consultant shall provide technical support throughout the implementation cycle of Grant activities while ensuring effective collaboration among technical stakeholders and consistency of technical outputs with the objectives of the Grant. Upon request of the PIU Manager, the Consultant may also provide technical support to other health sector projects implemented by the PIU, provided that such support does not adversely affect i