Scope of Work
Health Policy/Regulation Expert (Consultant)
Activity Name | Rapid Public Procurement for Social Contracting Regulatory Framework Assessment |
Work Location | Remote and In-Country Mozambique |
Period of Performance | on/about December 01, 2024 - o/a April 28, 2025 |
Total Estimated Level of Effort (LOE) | 35 days |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Supporting the Policy Enabling Environment for Development (SPEED) activity is a 4.5-year (March 22, 2021 to August 7, 2025) project designed to improve Mozambique’s business enabling environment and enhance the role of the private sector in agriculture, trade facilitation, energy, biodiversity conservation, and health; it will also strengthen economic governance and public financial management, while enhancing the role of civil society, thereby improving the country’s ability to plan, manage, and finance its own development.
BACKGROUND
The Government of Mozambique (GRM) is currently exploring the possibility of contracting civil society organizations (CSOs) to implement social activities, particularly in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention and services for key populations, maternal and child health services delivery, improve nutrition, and manage tuberculosis (TB) and malaria treatment. Initiatives like the Mozambique LNG Project’s community health interventions focus on comprehensive primary healthcare services, including maternal and child healthcare, mental health support, and nutrition education. Similarly, programs implemented by organizations like FHI 360 have addressed perinatal transmission of HIV while also tackling under-nutrition and strengthening humanitarian responses. These examples demonstrate that a well-structured social contracting approach can enhance healthcare delivery across multiple areas, ultimately improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Mozambique. However, the current legal landscape surrounding social contracting is ambiguous, with insufficient information available on whether existing legislation explicitly permits or regulates this practice. This uncertainty raises critical questions about the legality and feasibility of implementing social contracting under the current legal framework. To address this gap, a rapid assessment of the regulatory framework is necessary to determine the feasibility of social contracting and to study existing cases where this practice has been successfully implemented. For instance, countries like Thailand have established effective social contracting models that allow government funds to flow directly to CSOs for the delivery of HIV and other services. Initiatives supported by organizations like UNICEF and WHO have focused on strengthening primary health care through community health workers (CHWs), who deliver essential services directly to underserved populations. These models include clear guidelines on financial management and stakeholder roles, which could serve as valuable references for Mozambique. By examining both domestic and international practices, this assessment will provide critical insights into how Mozambique can develop a robust regulatory framework that supports effective social contracting, ultimately improving service delivery and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
OBJECTIVES
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
SPEED intends to engage a team of two consultants: one with international experience and expertise to provide a global perspective, and another local consultant to offer essential contextual knowledge. The international consultant will lead the assessment, leveraging their extensive background in social contracting and best practices from other countries. Meanwhile, the local consultant will play a vital role in facilitating stakeholder engagement, ensuring that local dynamics and cultural nuances are adequately addressed throughout the process. This collaborative approach will enhance the effectiveness of the assessment and ensure that recommendations are both relevant and actionable for Mozambique's unique context. The international consultant will take the lead in undertaking the following tasks to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of social contracting in Mozambique:
COORDINATION
The SPEED Private Sector Development Portfolio Manager is the main point of contact for this activity.
SUPERVISION
The Project’s Chief of Party or her designee will be responsible for technical supervision and acceptance of deliverables.