CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICE

A national consultant to conduct an analysis of cost-effectiveness
of HIV viral load testing services

I. Background:

The global LHSS project 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, using government resources more efficiently, and 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) Transition of TB services into SHI.

Viral load tests for HIV are currently provided at health facilities where PLHIV receive ARV treatment or outsourced to certified laboratories either in the same localities or outside the provinces/cities which requires the transportation of specimens.  Per the recent USAID visits to USAID’s supported provinces, it was noticed that most provinces wanted to provide HIV viral load tests at laboratories inside the provinces. In order to help optimize the provincial VL testing network, USAID requested LHSS to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of VL tests performed on the testing machines placed at provincial CDCs, provincial hospitals, and health facilities. This analysis would help inform the provincial’s decision of either maintaining the current VL test provision network or making further investments in expanding it. The analysis will target 14 laboratories having VL testing machines in five USAID-supported provinces namely Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Tien Giang, and Quang Ninh.

II. Tasks and Deliverables:

Tasks:

The consultant's role will encompass collaborative engagement with the USAID/EpiC project, provincial, CDCs, and hospitals situated within the provinces receiving support from USAID. His/her primary task will be to gather pertinent data and information, which will be subsequently employed to execute a comprehensive analysis focusing on assessing the cost-effectiveness of the HIV viral load tests performed on the testing machines placed in the provinces. This analysis will inform and guide the formulation of recommendations pertaining to further investment of testing machines to optimize the HIV viral load testing network within the provinces.

Deliverables:

• A methodology paper describing how the analysis will be conducted.
• A draft analysis report for comments by LHSS, USAID, and implementing partners.
• Presentations with summarized results if requested by LHSS for
• Final analysis report with recommendations on the expansion of the VL testing network.
• Consultant monthly reports on the progress of task implementation.
• A final consultancy report.

Consultant shall submit monthly reports that describe the work done in the month, key findings, and attachment of supporting documents if any. The consultant shall submit the final report at the end of the contract.

III. Location and timing:

The expert's assignment is in Hanoi with travelling to the five mentioned provinces.

The assignment should take place from December 2023 through May 2024 with a total of up to 50 working days.

IV. Requirements:

• Graduate degree in health economics, health financing, public finance management, or relevant disciplines.
• Proven experience in designing and conducting cost-effectiveness analyses for health services.
• Good understanding of the laboratory system in the health sector and policies regulating laboratory services.
• Analytical and forecasting skills: Proficient in analyzing economic and financial data, providing forecasts, and proposing suitable investment strategies.
• Ability to work effectively with USAID, CDCs, provincial hospitals, and other government agencies.
• Language requirement: Vietnamese. The ability to speak English would be an advantage.

V. Management of the assignment

The consultant will report to the Technical Director at LHSS Vietnam. He/She will work closely with the USAID/EpiC project, provincial, CDCs, and hospitals situated within the provinces receiving support from USAID and others as needed.

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

Deadline: November 28, 2023

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Organization: Abt Associates
Location: Hanoi
Application deadline: 2023-11-28
Send application to: [email protected]