SYSTEM STRENGTHENING PROJECT OFFICER

The International Center (formerly known as Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation -VVAF) is a humanitarian organization that has addressed the consequences of war through advocacy and service programs in Vietnam for the last three decades. As a cofounder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, IC-VVAF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. Now the International Center (IC) focuses on disability support, landmine removal, and mental health programs.

The “Moving Without Limits” Project

Under the financial support of United States Agency for International Development (USAID), IC is implementing the Disability Support Project named “Moving without Limits” in the three provinces of Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam and Binh Dinh. The project aims to improve people with disability’s access to quality assistive technologies or devices (AD/AT) in the target provinces, thus enhancing their independence in activities of daily living and participation in social activities

Three specific objectives include:

1. Improved availability of quality assistive technologies/devices (AT/AD) for people with mobility impairments in Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam and Binh Dinh;
2. Improved capacity for the health sector workforce at the national and sub-national levels,
3. Improved advocacy for policies/regulations and information sharing related to AT/AD.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, a wide range of activities will be implemented in the three project provinces as well as at the central level.  AT/AD service provision is implemented following the full range of provision including need assessment and proper prescription, AD procurement, fitting, user training and follow-up, maintenance and repair in order to ensure that people with mobility disabilities receive appropriate and quality AD they need. The integration of health care for people with disabilities (PWDs), including AT/AD service delivery into the existing health care system, mobilizing the non-specialists at the community level to recognize, assess, manage and follow-up of care for PWDs will be promoted in this project.

Being aware of the big gap in human resource for rehabilitation services, especially for AT/AD related services for PWDs, taking into account the practical solution for filling the gap, the project will apply mixed approaches: (i) build capacity for both high skilled health professionals at the national level for providing technical assistance towards complicated cases and support building capacity for lower level service providers when needed; and (ii) task shifting, defined as the delegation of tasks to existing or new cadres with either less training or narrowly tailored training in order to deliver a certain and basic rehabilitation/AT solutions.  Thus, IC will support improving the capacity of rehabilitation and AT workforces for both national and provincial levels, for both high and less skilled service providers.

Access to AD/AT provision services cannot be improved without appropriate and available policy and governance, IC will work closely with the line ministries, other involved partners to support the development of the AT/AD service delivery framework as a part of the National Rehabilitation Strategy 2021-2025 as well as advocacy to include more AT/AD covered by the health insurance scheme. In addition to that, IC will also support to improve information sharing, awareness raising on AT/AD related issues. 

1.      CONTEXT OF ASSIGNMENT

System strengthening and capacity building is a key component of the project that ensures the AD delivery system will work effectively at provincial/districts/commune level. This component will be accomplished through improving capacity for the health sector workforce at the national and sub-national levels. At the national level, IC will support to develop a national core group of AT/AD Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) on state of the art AT/AD technologies as well as to improve quality of training for rehabilitation doctors, who have taken a key role as team leader of the multi-disciplinary rehabilitation team including rehabilitation doctor, PT, OT, ST and nursing through upgrading and piloting the Physical Rehabilitation Medicines Graduate Education Program based on internationally-recognized, professional competency standards at Hanoi Medical University and other Vietnamese Medical university (ies) via training. This will integrate the approach on AT/AD service provision into existing training system of the government that does not require financial support or additional funding after the end of the project.  Meanwhile, IC works closely with national and provincial partners to establish assistive technology (AT) units as a hub of AT/AD services provision to people with disability. Thus, the technical assistance is needed to assist with a process of developing operational manual and AT/AD service provision guidelines for users and providers. This will lead to increased accessibility to quality assistive devices in all levels.

Thus, the project is seeking an individual with expertise and experiences in occupational therapy and coordination with academics in this area to ensure project to accomplish outlined expected outcomes and results for the overall project.

2.   JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION

This position reports to the Rehabilitation and System Strengthening Specialist to lead and participate directly in activities as outlined in the Performance Management Plan (PMP), responsible for activities related to Occupational Therapies and Service System Strengthening, as well as provide technical assistance as required for AT/AD service provision. Specifically, the position will:

• Responsible for OT-related activities under the system strengthening objective
• Assists the  Occupational Therapies and Occupational devices provision
• Work with the Rehabilitation System Strengthening team to prepare respective component of the annual work plans and detailed implementation plan for the project, based on the approved PMP;
• Ensure program implementation according to the annual work plans and targets set by the Project PMP
• Preparing reports as required;
• Conduct field visits to monitor, supervise and evaluate activities;
• Take lead in organizing meetings, trainings, and workshops on OT policies/regulations and support other related activities.
• Ensure that all the necessary financial documentation of project activities are complete and in accordance with financial management systems;
• Collaborate with M&E Officer where required;
• Provide translation and interpretation upon request;
• Contribute to the preparation and update of the Operations Manual of the Project;
• Other necessary duties as required.

3.            REQUIREMENTS FOR POSITION

Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Degree in public health, social sciences, rehabilitation, business administration or other related fields.
• At least 5 years of experience working in rehabilitation sector, including specific experience in OT sector. Experience in health system strengthening is a plus.

Other Experience:

• Experience of working with diverse stakeholders (such as National government departments, institutions, service providers, universities, persons with disabilities and their organizations) is an asset.
• Experiences in data analysis and reporting.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Technical knowledge of health system, rehabilitation, assistive devices/technology sector in Viet Nam.
• Good communication and coordination skills.

Language requirements:

• English proficiency: Good listening, speaking, reading and writing skill.

Competencies:

• Teamwork, professionalism, flexibility and an understanding of working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Good teamwork
• Having long-term commitment to the job.
• Willing to accept high frequency of business travel in Vietnam

Supervision:

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision and evaluation of the Rehabilitation and System Strengthening Specialist with support from project staff(s).

Start of Performance: as soon as possible, for 1 year with possibility of extension.

4.            APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Individual(s) interested in this  missions are invited to submit your applications in English, either by email (to [email protected]) or by post (to The International Center, R.103-203, B3 Building, Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound, 298 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam).

Please state “Application for the <position>” in the subject line or on the envelope. The short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applications should include:

• Expression of Interest;
• CVs demonstrating relevant capacity and experience

Deadline for submission: 5 November, 2020.

For further information, please contact:
Ms. Hua Thi Thu Len – Receptionist
Tel: (84-24) 3733 9444, ext: 9
Email: [email protected]

 

Organization: IC-VVAF
Location: Hanoi
Application deadline: 2020-11-05
Send application to: [email protected]