Consultant to Develop Competency Standards - Timor-Leste

The USAID Health System Sustainability Activity in Timor-Leste is part of the
global Local Health System Sustainability (LHSS) project, that works to
strengthen health systems to achieve universal health coverage and improve
population health and well-being. Interventions focus on reducing financial
barriers, holding health services accountable for meeting all clients' needs
and making sure that the care patients receive meets minimum standards. The
USAID Health System Sustainability Activity in Timor-Leste supports the
Government of Timor-Leste to govern, finance, and deliver quality and
affordable essential health services while being responsive and accountable to
users and an engaged civil society effectively and sustainably. The Activity's
objectives are to strengthen health sector governance, enhance health sector
workforce management, improve healthy behaviors, and improve health advocacy
and civic engagement for health system strengthening.
Scope of work
The USAID Health System Sustainability Activity in Timor-Leste, in cooperation
with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Timor-Leste Medical Association
(Associaçao dos Medicos de Timor-Leste - AMTL), is supporting the development
of competency standards and a code of ethics for medical doctors. As
identified in Timor-Leste's National Strategic Plan for Human Resources for
Health (NSPHRH) ‎2020-‎2024 and the National Health Sector Strategic Plan II
‎2020-‎2030, the lack of competency standards affects the quality and relevance
of pre-service education and limit mechanisms for health professional
licensing and certification. Additionally, the absence of a code of ethics
makes it challenging to identify and manage malpractice.
The Activity is seeking a consultant to support the MOH through the AMTL to
achieve the following:
* Support AMTL by first facilitating workshops to gain buy-in and consensus, and second developing a draft competency framework and code of ethics for medical doctors that will be submitted to the MOH (quality Cabinet and Council of Directors) for formalization and onward submission to the Council of Ministers.
* Drawing from criteria included in the competency framework, support the development of competency tests in close collaboration with the MOH's Quality Cabinet and AMTL.
Experience required of the consultant
Core Competencies
* Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow.
* People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.
* Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade, and transform.
* Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.
Technical/Functioning
* Understanding of medical knowledge and practice including a strong foundation in medical science, clinical skills, and the ability to keep up with the latest medical advancements.
* Practical clinical experience as a medical doctor to understand the day-to-day challenges, responsibilities, and expectations of practicing physicians.
* A strong understanding of medical ethics and professionalism in the context of Timor-Leste;
* Familiarity with Timor-Leste's healthcare regulations,
* Familiarity with global standards for licensing requirements and accreditation standards for medical doctors
* Ability to collaborate, lead workshops, and facilitate decision-making with various stakeholders, such as medical associations, regulatory bodies, healthcare institutions, and educators.
* Awareness of legal and ethical considerations surrounding competency standards, including issues related to confidentiality, patient rights, and professional liability.
* Ability to critically evaluate complex situations and develop solutions to address challenges in medical practice and education.
Academic Qualifications:
* A medical degree, such as Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or a related field from an accredited academic institution that has foundational knowledge of medical science and clinical practice with seven years of relevant professional experience or five years with master's degree or PhD.
* Additional training or experience in medical education, such as a medical education degree, residency or fellowship in medical education, or experience as a medical educator.
Experience:

* Experience working in academic settings, including developing teaching curricula and examinations highly desired.
* Experience in research methodology and assessment techniques to ensure that the competency standards developed are based on sound research and are practical to implement.
* High awareness of cultural competency and the ability to ensure that competency standards promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare delivery.
* Familiarity with health systems strengthening concepts highly preferred.
* Experience working on policy design, advocacy, and implementation highly preferred.
* Ability to work both independently and in a team environment where there is understanding of how the interventions are linked to larger activity goals.
Language:
* Fluency in writing, speaking and ability to present in English is required. Excellent technical writing skills in Portuguese and English required.
Ability to speak in Tetum (Timor-Leste national language) or Portuguese is an
advantage.
*
Institutional Arrangement
* The consultant will work closely with the Human Resource for Health Manager, and the AMTL key persons. The Consultant will also be required to coordinate regularly with the Cabinet of Licensing and Health Activity Registration, Cabinet of Quality Control in health Insurance and the National Directorate of Corporate Services as well as the National Directorate of Human Resources.
* The consultant will report to the Human Resource for Health Lead and AMTL Keypersons.
* The Consultant is expected to spend up to ‎60% of their time in the USAID Health System Sustainability Activity Office, while ‎40% of their time will be working at the office of the AMTL.
Deliverables/Outputs
Implementation Plan
* TOR for Steering Committee.
* Final competency standards and code of ethics.
* Final competency tests.
Final activity repo
*
Tasks

Description

Estimated LOE

Develop the implementation plan

The consultant must develop an implementation plan, including frequency and
timeline.
Expected output:
Implementation plan of the competency standards, code of ethics and competency
tests for medical doctors.
‎2 %

Develop TOR for Streeting Committee.

The Consultant must develop TOR for Steering Committee for Implementing a
project that covers the role of a Steering Committee consisting of:
Definition, role of AMTL steering committee, AMTL members' roles and
responsibilities in streeting committee, often should a steering committee
meet (meeting agenda), list of Prior to each meeting, list of Steering
Committee meetings: events and agenda and list of Meeting outcomes.
AMTL keyperson will discuss committee roles and responsibilities, with
consultants providing a TOR outline including background, scope of work,
roles, responsibilities, and deliverable list.
Expected output:
TOR for Steering Committee
‎6%

Finalize final Competency Standard and Code of ethics for medical doctors.

The consultant will discuss AMTL's competency standards and code of conduct
with the keyperson, focusing on initial and ongoing competency, understanding
standards, clinical material collection, correlation and validation,
interpretation, reporting, maintenance of documentation, equipment, resources,
stock, safe working practices, and professional accountability. This will
involve addressing issues such as documentation, equipment, resources, stock,
and professional development.
Expected output:
Notes summarizing technical meetings and discussions held by the grantee.
Validation workshop report
Final competency standards and code of ethics
‎45%

Develop Competency Test for validation and adoption by the MOH and updated
sustainability and transition action plan.

The consultant will develop a competency framework with guidelines for
administering and managing competency tests. In the guideline there will be an
outline such as: duties and authorities of the committee, competency test
preparation, competency test administration management, competency test
implementation, competency test result management, and how the competency
testing process with be monitored for relevance and updated as needed.
The consultant will prepare a slide deck to present the final competency
standard test for a validation workshop and address comments, recommendations,
and suggestions. After making revisions, the consultant will present the
competency test package at the National Council for approval.
Expected output:
Notes summarizing technical meetings and discussions held by the grantee.
Final competency tests
Draft of revised sustainability and transition action plan
‎45%

Prepare Final activity report.

The consultant prepares a final activity report reflecting on the technical
accomplishments, outcomes achieved, sustainability and transition plan and
lessons learned.
Expected output:
Final activity report
‎2%

Assumptions, Period of Performance, Expected Level of Effort (LOE),
Reporting, and Travel
Reporting: The consultant will report to the Human Resource for Health Manager
for the USAID Health System Sustainability Activity.
Location: This position requires the consultant to be present in Dili for all
the required meetings and workshops. A consultant who can be based in Dili for
the duration of the assignment is highly preferred.
Period of Performance and LOE: The consultant's anticipated period of
performance will be from December ‎01, ‎2023, to May ‎15, ‎2024. These dates are
subject to change depending on the date the candidate is selected. The
consultant will invoice Abt Associates for the actual hours worked, and
maximum up to ‎50 days.
Travel: While this consultant will need to be based in Dili, they may need to
travel outside of Dili (within Timor-Leste) if required. The number, timing,
and duration of the trip(s) will be determined in consultation with the Human
Resource for Health Lead. Expenses will be reimbursable in accordance with the
LHSS and Abt guidelines. All travel will be dependent on final approval from
the Chief of Party.