National consultant for developing the draft circular on pricing framework for HIV/AIDS prevention services

CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES

National consultant for developing the draft circular on pricing framework  for HIV/AIDS prevention services

I. BACKGROUND

The global USAID/Local Health System Strengthening Vietnam (USAID/LHSS) helps low- and middle-income countries transition to sustainable, self-funded health finance systems that support high-performing overall health systems. The LHSS activity in Vietnam will work with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to advance greater local ownership of HIV and TB prevention and control. Led by Abt Associates, the four-year activity will support Vietnam in increasing its domestic financing for HIV and TB services in the context of declining donor funding, in using government resources more efficiently, and in assuming local ownership of HIV and TB prevention and control activities. Specific objectives are: (1) Support the GVN to strengthen its public financial management systems for public sector health and find greater efficiencies in social health insurance (SHI), (2) Increase and improve the efficiency of domestic financing of HIV prevention and treatment services; (3) Strengthen the capacity of Vietnam's supply chain management system; and (4) Integrate TB services into SHI.

In the period of 2023 - 2024, LHSS continues collaborating with the Vietnam administration of HIV/AIDS control (VAAC) and other implementing partners (IPs) to support the pilot for Community-based organizations/Social Enterprises (CBOs/SEs) to deliver HIV prevention services via social contracts at the national level through learning events, monitoring, advocacy, evidence generation, and policy development. In addition, LHSS will support the MOH’s Department of Planning and Finance (MOH/DPF) and VAAC in proposing that HIV services be included as public services in the revised Prime Minister’s Decision 1387. Together with this process, VAAC is drafting two circulars: (1) Circular stipulating economic technical norms of HIV/AIDS prevention services and (2) Circular on pricing framework for HIV/AIDS prevention services as well as conducting a policy impact analysis of these two circulars. As per VAAC’s request for support, LHSS will mobilize a national consultant to support the VAAC in developing a draft circular on the pricing framework for HIV/AIDS prevention services for MOH submission. All these legal changes are expected to enable HIV social contracting to become financially sustainable at scale.

The objective of this assignment is to support the VAAC in developing a draft circular with supporting documents on the pricing framework for HIV/AIDS prevention services to be delivered at the primary health care and community level using the state budget.

II.      TASKS AND DELIVERABLES

2.1.   Main Tasks

The consultant will work closely with the LHSS technical team, MOH/VAAC, MOH/DPF, Ministry of Finance (MOF), and related government agencies to undertake the following tasks:

• Propose principles and costing methodology,
• Support VAAC in developing a pricing framework for HIV/AIDS prevention service packages proposed by VAAC,
• Support VAAC in drafting the circular’s contents, including scope and subjects of application, cost categories, pricing framework for HIV/AIDS services covered by the State budget, implementation provisions, and attached Annexes (if any).
• Conduct technical consultations with related GVN departments/units to get comments for the pricing framework for HIV/AIDS prevention service packages and the draft circular.
• Work with VAAC to finalize the pricing framework for HIV/AIDS prevention service packages and the circular for MOH submission. 

2.2.   Deliverables

• Pricing framework for HIV service packages in the form of Excel files with detailed cost categories, economic-technical norms and unit price for each line item, and related technical documents including principles, methodology, and guidance on the development of prices for HIV/AIDS prevention services.
• Draft circular on pricing framework for HIV/AIDS prevention services with supporting documents or attached Annexes.
• Consultant monthly reports on the progress of task implementation and supporting documents if relevant.
• A final consultancy report.

III.    SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

• Graduate degree in economics, finance, public health, or equivalent,
• At least five years of relevant work experience, particularly in health financing and costing for health care services,
• Familiar with costing methodologies and common costing approaches for health care services.
• Good understanding of policies and regulations on health care service costing, price ceiling, and pricing framework.
• Ability to work effectively with VAAC, the MOH, MOH/DPF, the MOF, and other related government agencies.
• Language requirement: Vietnamese. The ability to speak English would be an advantage.

IV.    MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The assignment is planned for the period from December 25, 2023 to June 30, 2024 for a total number of 45 working days. The expert's assignment is home-based in Hanoi, with regular consultation with the LHSS team.

To apply, please send your CV and an application letter to the following email: [email protected]

Deadline: December 20, 2023

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.