Health Planning Adviser, Nauru Health System Support Project

Job Description

The Nauru Health System Support Project (NHSSP) is a three-year, Department of Foreign Affairs &Trade (DFAT)-funded project aiming to achieve a strengthened health system that supports the reduction of Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) in Nauru. The NHSSP team works alongside Nauru’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to support Health Information Systems, Health Planning, Health Administration and Management, and Community-Based Primary Health Care Services. The project will also involve close collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO), who are implementing complementary objectives of the project in improvement management and detection of NCDs. The NHSSP is managed by Palladium on behalf of DFAT. This is a short term position (110 days)

Objectives:
As the Health Planning Adviser, you will support the planning-budgeting-implementation-monitoring cycle and ensure that the development of health systems is an integral part of the annual planning. This role supports the MHMS’s National Health Strategic Plan goals to to strengthen health systems capacity and capability to meet health service needs, demands and expectations and to support the clinical and health program role and functions of the Ministry through a robust health administration and management system. The primary objectives of the role are to:

• Assist the MHMS and its staff to develop annual budgets and comprehensive Annual Operating Plans (AOPs) that are realistic, linked to priorities in the Nauru Health Strategic Plan (NHSP) and capture all funding sources (GoN, DFAT and other donors).
• Support the MHMS to develop and implement a Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) system for the NHSP and AOPs.
• Support the development of a comprehensive suite of health systems and related standard operating procedures as prioritised with the MHMS and integrated in AOPs.
• Support the MHMS to convene the Health Development Partner Co-ordination forum.
• Design and support managers to implement a performance management system for MHMS

SCOPE OF WORK
Planning and Budgeting

• Review the effectiveness and impact of the MHMS Strategic Plan 2016-20 to identify and analyse gaps of current outcomes of the MHMS Strategic Plan and develop the Lesson Learned section of the Five Tear MHMS Strategic Plan 2021-2025.
• Support the MHMS senior executive through in-depth consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders, to develop the Five Tear MHMS Strategic Plan 2021-2025.
• Support the MHMS units and senior staff to develop realistic, costed AOPs that operationalise the NHSP based on a consultative process for consideration by the Minister within GoN planning timeframes.
• Ensure gender equality and social inclusion issues, including disability, are integrated in the AOPs where appropriate, and that plans prioritise essential health services delivered at primary care level including preventative measures, in line with the NHSP.
• Support the Deputy Secretary for Health and Health Performance Unit to ensure that the AOPs from MHMS units are comprehensive, cohesive, and within a realistic total budget ceiling (both GoN and donor funding).
• Ensure that Palladium’s annual plans are included in the MHMS’s AOP so that all DFAT’s investments in health are ‘on plan’.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) (Health Systems)

• In conjunction with the Director of Health Operations, support the MHMS Executive to develop and agree a prioritised list of SOPs to be developed with timeframes for each.
• Ensure that the development of the SOPs is integrated into AOPs according to priority.
• Ensure that the Management Development Programme provides support in both knowledge and skills in these health systems functions.

Performance Management

• Design, agree and support the implementation of a performance management system to allocate responsibility for objectives, activities, and budget to individual staff member level. This will include strategies for Continuous Professional Development, and training line managers to implement the system.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

• Support the MHMS to develop a MEL plan and system for the NHSP and AOPs, ensuring integration of core heath indicators once developed and agreed.
• Ensure that cross-cutting issues including gender and disability are integrated into the indicators and that gender disaggregated data is prioritised.
• Support MHMS to produce quality and timely annual reports and six-monthly reports on AOP activities.
• Support MHMS to ensure that gender, disability, and mental health are delivered and reported against.
• Support the MHMS to monitor implementation of annual budget/AOP and report annually on outcome of AOP/Budget (planned vs actual).
• Support the MEL Working Group to develop Terms of Reference outlining the roles and functions of the group and work to support their role as appropriate.
• Ensure evaluation, design and outcomes are based on the OECD framework criteria of Relevance, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Impact and Sustainability at a minimum.
• Development Partner Coordination - Support the MHMS to develop a Health Development Partners Coordination forum and host periodic and at least biannual meetings.
• Management Development Program - Contribute to the Management Development Program, including through being a mentor or coach to the participants and delivering monthly sessions.

Outputs and Reporting

• The Adviser is responsible for the production of: (1) Any outputs or work-products relevant to the role including monthly progress reports, meeting minutes/readouts and production of Quarterly monitoring reports. (2) Any briefing papers and aide memoirs requested by DFAT in addition to periodic reporting, to aid DFAT’s determinations and decision making.(3) Any ad-hoc briefing papers, outputs, or work products relevant to the role requested by the TL or Palladium.
• You will work closely with DFAT in Nauru, the Secretary of Health and the Directors of Medical and Nursing Services, Government of Nauru, WHO personnel and other strategic partners and the MHMS in delivering outcomes in line with the National Health Strategic Plan 2016-2020.
• This role reports to, works with, and receives strategic direction from the Team Leader.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in health services management, Master of Public Health, Master of Business Administration or equivalent.
• A Health discipline professional degree or license would be an advantage.
• Experience of working at top management level.
• Health Planning and programming experience, including the development of annual budgets, strategic and operational plans and M&E systems and plans.
• Extensive experience of international health development including health management and health systems improvements, preferably covering both primary and secondary health services and both government and partner-managed systems.
• Experience of developing staff and engendering a learning environment.
• Knowledge of Sustainable Development Goals, including reporting requirements, and the SAMOA Pathway.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to teamwork, coaching and mentoring.
• An understanding of the working environment in the Pacific and experience in working in resource-poor and resource challenged environments.

For a full terms of reference contact apacrecruitment@thepalladiumgroup.com.

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early.

About the Organization

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved - and is committed to continuing to improve - economies, societies and most importantly, people's lives.

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.