Job Description

Background (GCNI)

The Global Compact Network India (GCNI) was formed in 2000 and registered as a non-profit society in November 2003 to function as the Indian Local Network of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), New York. Global Compact Network, India is the first Local Network established with full legal recognition. As the UNGC’s local arm, GCNI has been acting as a country-level platform in providing a robust platform for Indian businesses, academic institutions, and civil society organizations to join hands to strengthen responsible business practices. UN 10 Principles in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment, and Anti-corruption provide a common ethical and practical Framework for Corporate Responsibility - and the 17 ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’ adopted in September 2015, by all 195 Member States of the United Nations including India to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet. UN GCNI helps corporates/businesses, CSOs, and its members from across the sectors to change their business practices through transparency and integrity (https://globalcompact.in/).

Besides this, GCNI has worked closely with Siemens Integrity Initiative (SII) and UNGC to strengthen responsible business practices across the sectors through Anti-Corruption Collective Action (AC CA) for over a decade. Having promoted anti-corruption collective action in corporates and other potential sectors, the UN GCNI has matured over the years and gained credibility and therefore critical support of resolute and diverse stakeholders, who are willing to transform businesses through collective action and responsible practices.

About the Assignment

Through the SII Third Funding Round, the UN Global Compact (UNGC) launched a four-year global project “Scaling up Anti-Corruption Collective Action within Global Compact Local Networks”, in December 2019 to support collective actions from Global Compact Local Networks (GCLNs) and promote public-private cooperation in fighting corruption.

UN Global Compact (UNGC) chose and signed an agreement with Global Compact Network India (GCNI) to implement the SII Third Funding Round Project in India starting from October 1, 2019. 

For the SII-UNGC’s Third Funding Round project, UNGCNI identified corruption challenges in the Healthcare sector and developed an Anti-Corruption Collective Action (ACCA) initiative to strengthen transparency, accountability, and value-based care in the healthcare ecosystem in India and drive community action to overcome the institutional failures.

GCNI, under UNGC-SII’s Third Funding Round Project, wishes to conduct research and review major healthcare policies of Govt of India and provide recommendations to advance Health Policies through System Strengthening in India

The objective of this proposed work/research is to understand the health policies and their programmatic implementation and identify the broad gaps, and their causal factors that shall be subsumed in a research paper (publication) using a consensus methodology. Thus, the report (Publication) can be leveraged to build further long-term advocacy to strengthen health policies and programs in India and track trends in the health systems’ performance.

Rationale :

Over the past two decades, India's healthcare system has undergone a remarkable transformation characterized by technological advancements, policy reforms, and an intensified focus on public health. From grappling with challenges such as the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, infectious disease outbreaks, and a lack of infrastructure, to making substantial progress in healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality, India's health sector has traversed a considerable distance.

A compelling indicator of this progress is the unilateral focus on strengthening the country’s health systems over the last decade. The institutional strengthening by establishing new medical colleges, hospitals, and primary health centers is a case in point. Investments in healthcare infrastructure, exemplified by the establishment of new medical facilities and the expansion of the National Health Mission (NHM), have significantly bolstered the capacity and outreach of the healthcare system. The initiation of the Ayushman Bharat, PM-JAY scheme in 2018 further underscored the commitment to strengthening health systems by bringing essential healthcare services closer to communities, particularly in rural areas, thereby addressing longstanding gaps in accessibility.

The past decade has also witnessed transformative changes in India's health landscape through the integration of technology into healthcare delivery. The advent of telemedicine and electronic health records has revolutionized patient care, particularly in rural and remote areas. Moreover, the digitization of health records has streamlined the management of patient information, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Further, the burgeoning health startup ecosystem in India has given rise to a new wave of influential players, a direct result of the entrepreneurial climate fostered by the government. This has played a crucial role in building healthy competition in the health industry which is critical for innovations. This phenomenon underscores a noteworthy trend: as health challenges escalate across the country, the health industry, encompassing pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, and more, responds constructively. A prime illustration of this dynamic synergy is evident in the development and distribution of the COVID vaccine which reaffirmed India’s status as the pharmacy of the world.

Therefore, the newly strengthened health systems are not only responsive to the diverse patient needs in the country but also strive to foster a healthcare environment that prioritizes inclusivity and addresses the multifaceted needs of the population. Within this flourishing ecosystem, it becomes imperative to cultivate a healthcare foundation firmly grounded in the Health System Governance framework that serves as a robust cushion, safeguarding against acute imbalances and fortifying the overall resilience of the healthcare sector.

Health systems governance encompasses the establishment of processes, structures, and institutions dedicated to the oversight and management of a nation's healthcare infrastructure. Effective health systems are pivotal in guaranteeing universal access to healthcare services that are characterized by equity, efficiency, affordability, and high quality 

The objective of this research/assignment is to understand and analyze the government programs from the lens of six core components that contribute to successful health system governance i.e. (i) service delivery; (ii) health workforce; (iii) health information systems; (iv) access to essential medicines; (v) financing; and (vi) leadership/governance.

The proposed research and publication “Advancing Health Policies through System Strengthening in India” will be leveraged to build further long-term advocacy with decision-makers to strengthen health policies and programs in India and track trends in the health systems’ performance.

Terms of Reference 

Scope of Work

The proposed research and publication will consist of a clear picture to understand the health policies and their programmatic implementation and identification of the broad gaps, and their causal factors that shall be subsumed in a research paper/publication using a consensus methodology. Thus, the report/publication can be leveraged to build further long-term advocacy to strengthen health policies and programs in India and track trends in the health systems’ performance.

To develop this publication/report “Advancing Health Policies through System Strengthening in India” we will select and onboard an eligible and capable consultant to plan and carry out relevant activities leading to a review of the major health policies of India and develop the report (Publication) consisting the gaps, solutions and recommendations to advance health policies through system strengthening in India. The consultant will be responsible for carrying out all the relevant activities and the development of the report (Publication).

Objective & Assignment

Health systems have to deal with many challenges. As the spectrum of ill-health changes, health systems have to respond. Their capacity to do so is influenced by a variety of factors. Some operate at a national or sub-national level, such as the availability of financial and human resources, overall government policies about decentralization, and the role of the private sector and some operate through other sectors. These transitions make it imperative for India’s health systems to be rooted in strong institutional frameworks of governance that reduce unethical practices and corruption, thereby fostering a healthcare environment that prioritizes inclusivity and addresses the multifaceted needs of the population.

The objective of this proposed work/project is to understand the health policies and their programmatic implementation and identify the broad gaps, and their causal factors that shall be subsumed in a research paper using a consensus methodology.

The report thus generated can be leveraged to build further long-term advocacy to strengthen health policies and programs in India; and track trends in the health systems’ performance.

This is also expected to build stronger stakeholder relations that are pertinent for achieving long-term goals on policy success.

Specific tasks under the assignment 

The project/assignment should be divided into four broad phases and is expected to be completed within a month (4 Weeks). The four phases are:

Phase-I: Inception (Mobilization & Inception Meetings with stakeholders).

Phase-II: Background Research (This activity is largely based on secondary information but would be supplemented by stakeholder interviews through individual meetings/interviews). 

Phase-III: Stakeholder interviews (For this activity, primary research tools shall be used in the form of structured interviews with key officials and other relevant stakeholders of the selected sectors /companies).

Phase-IV: Development of Report (Based on the information gathered through secondary research and virtual consultations with key officials and experts, a draft report shall be formulated).

Qualifying criteria for the consultant :

The consultant should have the following expertise:

Master's degree from a recognized institution in the areas of Public Health/public policy/Compliance/Anti-Corruption experts etc. with over 5 years of experience.

Proven experience in conducting research and undertaking similar assignments on healthcare issues/initiatives. 

Have knowledge and skills in dealing with diverse stakeholders including Government.

Have good working relationships and networking with potential stakeholders (Govt/Ministries, Healthcare organizations, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare Units, UN organizations, CSR, CSOs, etc.).

Sound knowledge of diverse healthcare programmes and policies of the government of India, and gaps in the system as well.

Must have worked independently on healthcare projects and documentation for NGOs/INGOs/UN Agencies and CSRs.

Must have produced high-level designed and documented research (Publications) for external dissemination.

Quality assessment and selection criteria for consultant

The consultant who meets the project requirements will be selected for the proposed assignment by the core team of UNGCNI which consists of…

Senior management /official/Health expert of UN GCNI.

Deliverables and Payment Schedule:

Sl. No. Deliverable/Report        Timeframe        Payment

1Development and signing of agreement/contract Within 5 days of selection             10%

2 Submission of a draft report/publication Within 25 days of contract signing          --

3 Submission of final report /publication     Within 30 days of contract signing            90% 

Timeframe and deadlines 

The assignment needs to be completed within 1 Month (30 Days).

Geography Coverage

India

How to Apply

GCNI is looking for a professional consultant having the capability to conduct research/study, conduct an in-depth interview with stakeholders, compile information, etc. to support GCNI in developing the proposed report / Publication “Advancing Health Policies through System Strengthening in India”.

The consultant who is willing to work with GCNI for the mentioned assignment is suggested to submit his/her profile along with a detailed proposal (Programmatic and Financial Proposal) at recruitment@globalcompact.in within 10 days (On or before 30th April 2024) of the information being published. Only eligible shortlisted consultant/s will be contacted for the final meeting with GCNI. The consultant is not required to call or write to UN-GCNI to know the status/selection process etc. 

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