FINAL TERMS OF REFERENCE
SSA Public Health Expert for Legal Mapping of Core Capacities Under Joint External Evaluation -- Namibia (Namibian Nationals Only)
1. Background
The Health Emergencies Programme within WHO country office in Namibia in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services aims to minimize the health consequences of outbreaks and emergencies by supporting the country to strengthen its capacities to detect, prevent and respond to health.
Namibia, like other Member States in the WHO African Region, remains committed to implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, including the voluntary Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of core capacities. Following the 2016 JEE conducted in Namibia, one of the key recommendations was to conduct a comprehensive legal mapping of relevant instruments to support the effective implementation of the IHR.
Legal mapping provides an essential overview and comparison of the existing legal instruments within the broader health governance context. This process enables a clear understanding of the national legal frameworks guiding public health prevention, preparedness, and emergency response.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is spearheading the establishment of the Namibia Institute of Public Health (NIPH), which was endorsed by Cabinet in March 2024 as a department within the Ministry. The NIPH is envisioned to serve as the national body responsible for coordinating public health functions, research, laboratory systems, and preparedness and response capacities in alignment with the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005).
A roadmap for the establishment of the NIPH highlighted the need for a legal mapping exercise to guide the amendments to the Public and Environmental Health Act, 2015 (Act No. 1 of 2015) and other relevant laws, and to facilitate the creation of a legal framework for NIPH as an autonomous public entity.
To support this process, MoHSS seeks to engage a consultant with public health and public health systems expertise. The Public Health Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Legal Consultant to ensure that the legal mapping and the drafting of the NIPH Layperson's Bill are informed by sound public health principles, systems thinking, and global best practices
The main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical and public health expertise to inform the legal mapping and the development of the NIPH Layperson's Bill and related policy frameworks.
Specific objectives are to:
* Provide public health and institutional insights to guide the legal mapping process and ensure alignment with the IHR (2005) core capacities.
* Support the development of a functional and organizational framework for the NIPH, including its governance, coordination mechanisms, and scope of work.
Ensure that the proposed legal and institutional arrangements support an effective and sustainable public health system in Namibia
2. Deliverables
* Inception Report outlining the approach, work plan, and methodology.
* Situational Analysis Report on existing public health functions, capacities, and gaps.
* Technical input to the Legal Mapping Report, ensuring alignment with IHR (2005), Africa CDC, and global best practices.
* Technical contributions to the draft NIPH Policy and Layperson's Bill.
* Validation Workshop Reports capturing stakeholder feedback.
* Final Technical Report summarizing key findings, recommendations, and contributions
* Duties and responsibilities include the following:
1.1. Public Health Technical Support for Legal Mapping:
* Review existing public health systems, structures, and functions in Namibia related to surveillance, preparedness, and response.
* Collaborate with the Legal Consultant to identify institutional gaps, overlaps, and inefficiencies that may hinder IHR implementation.
* Provide technical inputs on the roles, linkages, and coordination mechanisms between MoHSS, NIPH, and other national and regional public health institutions.
* Support stakeholder consultations by presenting technical perspectives on public health systems strengthening.
* Contribute to the development of recommendations for amendments to the Public and Environmental Health Act, 2015, and other relevant laws to enhance IHR implementation.
* Review and validate the draft legal mapping report from a technical and systems perspective.
1.2. NIPH Layperson Bill
* Review and analyze existing national laws, regulations, and policies related to public health and health emergency management.
* Provide inputs on the proposed mandate, structure, and functions of the NIPH to ensure technical soundness and alignment with international standards.
* Support the Legal Consultant in ensuring that the Bill reflects the functional needs and realities of Namibia's public health system.
* Participate in consultations, validation meetings, and presentations to MoHSS management, the Policy Review Committee, and EXCO.
* Provide technical justification and documentation to accompany the Cabinet Memorandum.
* Offer technical clarification to MoHSS and legal drafters during the Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL) review process.
3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Identify the educational qualifications and expertise needed for the terms of reference outlined above.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
* Nationality: A Namibian National
* Education
Essential
* A minimum of a bachelor's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Systems, or related field.
Desirable:
* An advanced degree (Master's and/or PHD qualification) would be an added advantage.
Experience
Essential:
* At least 2 years' experience in public health policy, systems development, or institutional strengthening.
* Proven experience in IHR (2005) implementation, health governance, or coordination of national public health institutions.
* Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multi-sectoral teams and government stakeholders.
* Familiarity with Namibia's health system and institutional landscape.
Desirable
* 10 years or more experience in public health policy, systems development, or institutional strengthening.
* Demonstrated experience of working in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.
* Use of language skills
Essential:
* Expert knowledge of spoken and written English language is required.
WHO Competencies REQUIRED
* Communicating in a credible and effective way
* Fostering integration and teamwork
* Producing Results
* Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
* Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
4. Technical Supervision
Indicate the name and title of the supervisor with email address.
Ms Roselina de Wee, Emergency Preparedness & Response/Epidemiology Officer, email address:
5. Location
Please specify where the consultant will work:
Duty Station: Windhoek, Namibia
6. Travel - If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required
Please specify any expected travel(s): dates, location and purpose.
7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)
Rate: NOB Step1 N$80,330.33 per month for a period of 6 months Monthly renumeration
Currency: NAD
