International Consultant - Health Legislation, WHO Country Office, Viet Nam

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Purpose of consultancy The purpose of this consultancy is to support the WHO Representative Office in Viet Nam as it works with the Ministry of Health to build the institutional foundations of the health system for UHC, Health Security and Healthier Populations through consolidated technical advice and analysis on legislation in Viet Nam.

Background

The Western Pacific Regional Action Agenda on Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Health in Sustainable Development was endorsed by Member States at the 69th session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific (RC69) in October 2020. The action agenda provides guidance to countries on prioritizing action areas, improving processes, and enhancing capacities of stakeholders. Direct support to countries to develop modern and effective legal frameworks for health system priorities is a key priority.

Viet Nam regularly develops and revises laws related to health. Following the adoption of new or revised laws, various decrees and circulars are developed to enable implementation. The Ministry of Health requests the WHO Representative Office in Viet Nam to provide technical assistance to the Government of Viet Nam on health legislation, including development and revision processes and subsequent implementation of rules and regulations.

Deliverables

The consultant will provide the WCO with the following outputs and deliverables:

Output 1: Work across teams in the WCO to consolidate technical advice on key legislative documents for their development and revision

Deliverable 1: Documents of consolidated technical input from WHO on specific laws and secondary legislation under development or revision in 2026-2027

Output 2: Conduct analyses of the regulatory and institutional frameworks related to an outcome within the Strategic Priorities of the Joint MOH-WHO Project Document in Vietnam

Deliverable 2: Reports providing regulatory analysis of specific outcomes and potential legal and regulatory options and recommendations to achieve the outcomes

Output 3. Track the legislative agenda in Vietnam and the contributions by the WCO teams

Deliverable 3: Periodic reports and on the status of health-related laws, decrees, circulars and other government legal documents in Vietnam that are under development or revision, highlighting points of interest to the WCO Vietnam

Deliverable 4: Monthly report on progress against deliverables with attached documents related to progress on deliverables 1 to 3.

Method(s) to carry out the activity

The consultant will work remotely with one possible trip to Hanoi if required twice per year. The deliverables will aid the WCO in Viet Nam to provide the best possible technical advice to the MOH. The work will include tracking legislation, consolidating WCO positions and feedback on legislation, improving cross-team knowledge on legislation, participating in meetings and workshops (remotely if needed), providing technical expertise, and producing the required deliverables.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Education

Essential: Undergraduate degree in relevant areas including health legislation, public administration, or public health

Desirable: Master’s degree in relevant areas including health legislation, public administration, or public health

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of experience in relevant areas including health legislation and health policy development, with expertise on health-related legislation in Vietnam

Desirable: Prior experience of working with the Government of Viet Nam or in the Western Pacific Region in health legislation

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Strong ability to write in English
• Knowledge of the health system in Viet Nam
• Specific technical knowledge with health legislation process in Viet Nam is desirable

Language requirements:

Expert written and spoken English

Location

Offsite - consultant will be working remotely with possible travel to Hanoi, if required.

Travel

The consultant will work remotely with one possible trip to Hanoi if required.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

• Remuneration: Band A at $6600 monthly or $330 daily rate
• Expected duration of contract: 6 months, with possibility of extension

Additional Information:

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