The American Red Cross (ARC), Haiti Delegation (HD) is seeking a Senior Health Advisor (National Consultant). The national consultant will assist in the assessment of health sector partner projects, assist in the development of strategic health partnerships, and support ARC decision making on collaboration and support to the health system in ARC program areas.
Background
The January 2010 earthquake is one of the worst natural disasters in recent history. Approximately three million Haitians were affected, with more than 222,570 fatalities, over 300,500 injured and a staggering 1.3 million people displaced . Among the major factors contributing to such overwhelming devastation was the lack of proper land use which resulted in overcrowding and poor quality construction of homes in unsafe areas. Conditions exacerbated by the earthquake have only increased the nation’s vulnerability and risk to new disasters such as hurricanes and epidemics. The ARC recognizes the need for sustainable solutions to rebuild and improve lives and create safer, resilient neighborhoods and is developing a strategy that outlines a community-based, participatory and owner-driven approach to local urban development.

Over the next few years, the American Red Cross (ARC) will continue to be a key partner in support of health care, community health and cholera eradication in Haiti. ARC plans to be adequately engaged in the national dialogue, participate in key partner meetings and roundtables, and to stay abreast of partner programs, strategies, results, lessons learned and promising practices with potential impact on health and cholera in the country.

During this post emergency period, ARC will implement an Integrated Neighborhood Reconstruction and Recovery Program (LAMIKA – Haitian Creole acronym for A Better Life in My Neighborhood) in the Port- au-Prince earthquake affected neighborhood of Carrefour Feuilles (CF). The goal of the program is to enhance community and household resiliency, while providing safer, healthier and more secure living conditions. The focus of the program is to enhance community and household resilience in targeted communities, through a sustainable and integrated multi-sectorial approach that provides socially-cohesive, healthy, habitable and secure living spaces and conditions. The LAMIKA Program is expected to reach a total of 40,000 people. The LAMIKA program addresses three main pillars for creating better daily living conditions for CF residents: social empowerment, economical strengthening and physical renewal (housing and infrastructure reconstruction in some underdeveloped and severely damaged areas of CF.

Additionally, ARC is funding a Haitian Red Cross/ARC North Community Based Integrated Program in the Northern Departments of Haiti. This primarily rural based program will target a select number of vulnerable communes and communal sections in these departments, and include health and WATSAN, disaster risk reduction and mitigation, as well as a livelihoods component. Institutional capacity building of HRC will be a major component, and within the health component, a strong collaboration with the government health system, linked with strengthening community linkages and referrals. These program activities have been developed based on Government of Haiti (GOH) and community priorities, and in consultation with other stakeholders.

Purpose of consultancy:
The purpose of the consultancy is to undertake the following activities:
1) Assist in the development and strengthening of strategic health partnerships;
2) Support ARC decision making on collaboration and assistance to the health system in ARC program areas, including PAP/Carrefour Feuilles, the North, the Northeast and the Northwest regions of Haiti;
Key Activities:

• Development and strengthening of strategic health partnerships per the following:
1) Stay abreast of key health partner and stakeholder activities in Haiti and provide information and support to the ARC delegation in this regard via meetings, visits and other forms of exchange.

2) Facilitate relationship building and development of key and strategic health partnerships between ARC and governmental and non-governmental institutions working in Haiti.

3) Advise ARC on areas of support to MSPP health infrastructure and health system within the respective programs LAMIKA, and North.

4) Review and advice on government policy and key government and stakeholder documents, strategies and reports.


Key deliverables:
By March 31th
1. Provide an initial assessment and recommendations on existing Ministry of Health Action Plans for health infrastructure and health service strengthening, as it relates to potential ARC support to the commune of PAP.

2. Provide feedback to Health Facility Assessment (HFA) results, and advise on ARC response

3. Participate in key partner visits or strategic partnership meetings/workshops that might be undertaken during the month and submit meeting notes/reports for meetings attended.
By April 30th
1. Provide follow-up recommendations for ARC support to MOH health infrastructure and health service strengthening in PAP; including interventions that support the National Cholera Eradication Program.
2. Develop a roster of key Haiti-based stakeholders in the public health community; including role/activities, and contact persons and provide notes on potential areas of commonality, linkages and exchange with the Red Cross (to be used as a resource for networking).

3. Participate in key partner visits or strategic partnership meetings/workshops undertaken during the month and submit meeting notes/reports for meetings attended.

By May 30th
1. Provide an initial assessment and recommendations on existing Ministry of Health Action Plans for health infrastructure and health service strengthening, as it relates to potential ARC support to the North, Northeast and Northwest departments of Haiti.

2. Participate in key partner visits or strategic partnership meetings/workshops undertaken during the month and submit meeting notes/reports for meetings attended.

3. Provide follow up support as it relates to plans and decisions for collaboration with Ministry of Health and health service strengthening, as needed.

By June 30 th
1. Provide follow-up recommendations for ARC support to MOH health infrastructure and health service strengthening in the North, North East and North West departments of Haiti, including interventions that support the National Cholera Eradication Program.

2. Participate in key partner visits or strategic partnership meetings/workshops undertaken during the month and submit meeting notes/reports for meetings attended.

3. Provide follow up support as it relates to plans and decisions for collaboration with Ministry of Health and health service strengthening, as needed.
Undertake additional assigned tasks, as identified
Expected Duration:
The duration of the Consultancy is estimated to be an average of 1 day of work per week (this will vary, increase or decrease depending on the workload), during the remaining period of Fiscal Year 2013, i.e. March – June 2013 for a maximum of 15 work days. This contract may be extended beyond June 2013, based upon need.

Minimum qualifications:
The successful candidate should have the following skills, experience and qualifications:
• Be a Haitian national with experience working in the Haitian Ministry of Health system at all levels of health services and management
• MD and Master’s or graduate degree in public health or related subject,
• More than 15 years of work experience, with at least 5 years of experience working on strategic program development and partnerships,
• Demonstrated experience in assessments of health projects
• Relevant stakeholders work experience,
• Good team worker, good communication and analytical skills;
• Fluent in Haitian Creole, French, and advanced English language skills.

Reporting:
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Senior Health Delegate at ARC – HD, and in coordination with ARC relevant staff to assist with MOH partnership and collaboration in the ARC project areas.
Payment schedule:
The consultant will be paid monthly for the number of days worked in the past month, based on the agreed daily rate, upon the submission of a timesheet, approval of deliverables, and an invoice. This consultancy is for up to a maximum of 15 workdays.