Job Title: – Identifying Gaps in Community-Based Health & Nutrition Policies and Coordination Mechanisms in Ghana
Location: Ghana
Engagement: Consultancy Contract with UNICEF
Background
Ghana has been a leader in community healthcare since the introduction of the Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) in 1994, improving access to essential primary health and nutrition services. However, various policies guiding CHPS, such as the CHPS Operational Policy and Strategic Plan, were last updated in 2005, and relevant guidance is spread across numerous documents. Additionally, coordination among stakeholders like the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and Regional Authorities lacks cohesion, limiting the effectiveness of CHPS.
This consultancy aims to identify gaps in policy, strategy, and coordination mechanisms to ensure that community-based health and nutrition services reach their full potential.
Overview
The consultant will:
- Identify gaps and inconsistencies in Ghana’s community health and nutrition care policies, strategies, and plans.
- Strengthen coordination mechanisms among stakeholders involved in the implementation of community health and nutrition care.
- Develop advocacy strategies to address these gaps and improve coordination.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Review: Assess current community health and nutrition policies and strategies, identifying inconsistencies and gaps across various documents (e.g., CHPS Strategic Plan, Primary Healthcare Strategy, Universal Health Coverage Road Map).
Coordination Mechanisms: Evaluate the existing coordination mechanisms among stakeholders (e.g., Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service) and develop strategies to improve them.
Stakeholder Engagement: Organise workshops with key stakeholders to advocate for policy updates and improved coordination. Conduct interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Regional Authorities, and National Health Insurance Authority.
Advocacy Strategy: Develop a comprehensive advocacy strategy for addressing policy gaps and enhancing stakeholder coordination.
Capacity Building: Assist in developing missing coordination tools and materials, and facilitate a capacity-building workshop for personnel involved in community health and nutrition care.
Deliverables
- Inception Report: Outlining methodology and work plan.
- Gap Analysis Report: Detailed analysis of policy gaps and a comprehensive list of missing policies, strategies, and plans.
- Advocacy Strategy: To address identified gaps and improve stakeholder coordination.
- Coordination Assessment Report: Evaluate current mechanisms and propose enhancements.
- Workshops: Organise and facilitate four workshops with stakeholders.
- Capacity-Building Materials: Develop tools and conduct training for key personnel involved in policy and coordination.
- Final Report: Comprehensive report with key findings, recommendations, and next steps.
Required Qualifications
- Policy Analyst: Minimum of 8 years of experience in policy analysis, with a focus on health and nutrition sectors.
- Health Systems Specialist: At least 6 years of experience working with Ghana’s healthcare policies and strategies.
- Proven expertise in stakeholder engagement, particularly with government agencies and community organizations.
- Strong understanding of Ghana’s health systems, including CHPS, UHC, and PHC frameworks.
- Experience in developing advocacy strategies and facilitating capacity-building workshops.
- Excellent communication, report writing, and analytical skills.
Timeline
The project is expected to start in September 2024 and conclude by March 2025, with key activities such as policy review, stakeholder engagement, and workshop organisation spread across this period.
Application
Please submit your application through our careers’ site. We review and interview applicants on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply by way of CV via our careers site at the earliest. We may close this advertisement before the published closing date, should a suitable candidate be identified. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role and candidates must have a pre-existing right to work in country for their application to be considered.
Oxford Policy Management is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the business. Should you require adjustments to make the application process more accessible please contact us via: recruitment@opml.co.uk
