Request for Consultant: Co-creation/University HPSRI facilitator support

Washington, DC

International – Consultancies /

Consultant (STTA, TOR, SOW, EOI) /

Remote

Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.

We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.

Project Background:

As Asian countries implement health sector reforms and advance towards UHC, the demand for HSS best practices, resources, sharing of country experiences, and technical assistance will continue to increase. Although health policy and systems research institutions (HPSRIs) operating in the region can respond to this demand, practical challenges remain, including a lack of awareness, coordination, and engagement among HPSRIs that limits their full participation in the knowledge to action cycle.

Early Accelerator activities sought to better characterize the HPSRI landscape within Asia and the scope of training programs and learning platforms that support the development of HSS and health policy and systems research (HPSR) capacity. A co-creation series to unpack engagement barriers and opportunities among HPSRIs and training platforms resulted in a shared vision for a strengthened HPSR ecosystem in Asia:

A stronger enabling HPSR ecosystem of the future that is highly responsive to countries’ needs. In 10-15 years, this ecosystem would be characterized by a strong demand for and use of evidence that is increasingly domestically financed and supplied by robust HPSRIs that are continuously strengthened through engagement with regional and global platforms. The health of this ecosystem could also be measured, and data from which would contribute to further strengthening activities.

Over the course of the initiative, the Accelerator has facilitated opportunities for dialogue on key priority areas, as well provided catalytic funding for four pilots led by local organizations in India, Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. These pilots aim to advance the shared vision of a stronger HPSR ecosystem through a series of mapping, assessment, analytical, and collaboration activities. They are working to strengthen HPSRIs’ individual and institutional capacities, as well as the enabling ecosystem.

In the final year of Accelerator-led regional strengthening efforts, the focus is on facilitating opportunities for peer learning and exchange, documenting cumulative learning and results, and ensuring that the outputs are sustained and built upon by HPSRIs and other HSS actors. These efforts will connect and expand upon earlier years’ activities to bring learnings and processes together – and articulate the unique value-add of regional ecosystem-building, co-creation methods, and HPSRI-led initiatives.

R4D is seeking a consultant (individual / organization) to serve as a HPSRI co-host for the convening and co-develop the overall event agenda, building on past Accelerator activities and ensuring relevance to HPSRI needs. The consultant will play a crucial role in pre-convening preparations, facilitating productive discussions during the event, and ensuring concrete outcomes, including identifying and nurturing "torchbearers" who will spearhead future initiatives.

The consultancy will start immediately and conclude by July 12th, 2024

EST LOE: 10-20 days.

Consultant SoW

Workshop planning and design – leadership role:
Co-design overall June 2024 convening, providing feedback on all sessions to ensure cohesiveness across regional and national goals.
Develop and facilitate at least 2 sessions that center HPSRI experiences and reflect their capacity strengthening needs.
Define and develop pre-work materials in coordination with other session leads to support successful development of action plans during the workshop.
Design interactive sessions to identify and map opportunities for capacity strengthening aligned with optimal collaboration models.
Develop and conduct sessions that address stakeholder capacities necessary for optimal policy-research collaboration.
Lead and facilitate sessions focused on policy-research collaboration, roles and functions of HPSR institutions, and stakeholder capacities.
Assist in the planning and execution of the convening and foster knowledge exchange, inform capacity strengthening opportunities, and enhance working relationships through diverse session formats.
Coordinate logistics and communications to ensure participants are well-prepared and informed about the goals and structure of the convening.

Event facilitation and execution:

Offer on-the-ground technical support, which may include coordinating materials, facilitating small group discussions, or serving as a rapporteur.
Guide and develop pre-work materials such as action plans, discussion guides, and pre-reads tailored to participants' roles and interests, and to meet the objective of creating a comprehensive action plan.
Lead facilitation during the convening, employing inclusive and participatory methodologies to ensure all voices are heard.
Guide discussions around key topics, encouraging critical thinking, consensus-building, and action-oriented outcomes.
Manage time effectively, keeping sessions on schedule while allowing flexibility for deep exploration of ideas.
Foster networking opportunities and relationship-building among participants, both formally and informally.
Provide on the ground technical and logistics support in the days leading up to the convening.

Deliverables

Draft and coordinate participant pre-work
Co-design and -facilitate two sessions at the conference
Produce one convening report (approximately 4-pages) on lessons and outcomes of convening
Produce two brief summaries (1-2 pages) following event convening on the implications and next steps for stakeholder groups (HPSRIs and networks)
Finalize mapping of policy-research relationships
Provide feedback on overall Accelerator Synthesis Product

Requirements:

10+ years in health policy and systems research, with demonstrated focus or experience with the Asia region.
Experience working with in health research institutions or universities.
Familiarity with co-creation principles and 2+ years experience implementing the principles in project activities across different country contexts.
Proven experience in designing and facilitating productive meetings, workshops, or conferences, particularly in the context of policy and research collaborations.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability to conduct research, synthesize complex information, and identify actionable insights.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging diverse stakeholders and fostering a collaborative environment.
Familiarity with a range of facilitation techniques and tools for promoting participation and decision-making.
Organizational skills and attention to detail to manage pre-convening preparations and logistical arrangements effectively.
Ideally based in Indonesia with availability to attend the Asia Regional HPSR Convening June 5-7, 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia
Ideally affiliated with Indonesian HPSR institution which could act as co-host to the convening.

Please submit your application (cover letter, resume, day-rate and total proposal cost, including airfare and per diem to attend the regional HPSR convening).

Results for Development is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering

and nurturing an energetic, collaborative and diverse workforce. R4D provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.

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