Specialist - Primary Health Care Supply chain readiness

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to significant health sector reforms in Bangladesh, working closely with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organization. The role offers a unique chance to shape the future of healthcare in the country, enhance your project management and coordination skills, and gain valuable experience in international health development.

About The Project Office
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is implementing a range of reform measures to strengthen the resilience, efficiency, and equity of the health system in line with the recommendations of the Health Reform Commission These reforms aim to align Bangladesh's health system with the principles of equity, participation, and accountability ensuring that health is realized as both a constitutional right and a public good. In this regard, the Ministry has prepared a comprehensive proposal titled "Health Sector Transformation in Bangladesh", outlining the strategic priorities, implementation modalities, and expected outcomes of the reform agenda. The proposal emphasizes eight key strategic areas including governance and institutional reform, primary healthcare restructuring, workforce planning, financial sustainability, digital transformation, medicine regulation, documentation of transition strategies, and stakeholder communication. The Ministry seeks the technical and strategic partnership of the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the implementation of these reform initiatives.

Role Purpose
The consultant will develop an integrated Primary Health Care (PHC) Boundary Framework and Urban PHC Transition Model that define and institutionalize the PHC service package across Bangladesh. The framework will ensure a standardized package of essential services, medicines, diagnostics, and a skilled workforce embedded within existing rural and urban facility tiers.

This assignment aims to establish clear functional boundaries for PHC delivery to transition from fragmented, project-based systems to a sustainable, institutionalized model within the national health structure.

Objectives of the Assignment

• Review and map existing PHC service packages, delivery mechanisms, and integration points in both rural and urban contexts.
• Define the PHC boundary encompassing essential promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative services suitable for existing facility tiers (community clinics, union sub-centres, upazila health complexes, and urban primary health centers).
• Develop a list of essential medicines, diagnostics, and supplies required for the PHC package.
• Recommend an appropriate mix and distribution of multidisciplinary health workers for PHC delivery.
• Align the PHC boundary with existing delivery platforms, referral systems, and national standards.
• Propose implementation and monitoring mechanisms for sustaining the PHC boundary within health sector reform initiatives.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Situational Review
• Review the existing policy, institutional, and operational arrangements for PHC service delivery in both urban and rural Bangladesh. Map PHC coverage, governance structures, workforce distribution, and resource flows.
• Identify key implementation challenges, opportunities, and lessons from ongoing pilots and global models.
• Framework Development
• Design a scalable implementation framework for PHC expansion in urban wards and rural unions.
• Define governance, service delivery, workforce, financing, digital health integration, and monitoring components.
• Develop a costed Supply-Side Readiness Plan, including strategies for facility management, workforce optimization, and essential supply assurance.
• Specify key operational standards and sustainability mechanisms.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Conduct structured consultations with MoHFW departments, LGD, city corporations, NGOs, and development partners.
• Facilitate technical workshops for review, validation, and refinement of the draft framework.
• Finalization and Validation
• Prepare the final Implementation Framework document incorporating stakeholder feedback.
• Present the framework to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), MoHFW, and WHO for final endorsement.

Expected Deliverables:

Sl. No.

Activities

Deliverables

Timeline

1

Situational Analysis & Supply Chain Readiness Mapping

Readiness Assessment Report – including mapping of PHC coverage, facility readiness, and supply-side bottlenecks in workforce, infrastructure, and essential commodities.

Day 1–15

2

Development of Draft PHC Implementation Framework

Draft PHC Implementation Framework – encompassing governance, financing, workforce, supply chain, and service delivery components.

Day 16–25

3

Stakeholder Consultation & Validation Workshops

Stakeholder Consultation Report – summarizing multi-stakeholder feedback, consensus, and recommendations for PHC supply-side reform.

Day 26–33

4

Preparation of Final Supply-Side Readiness Plan

Final Supply-Side Readiness Plan – including implementation roadmap, costed action plan, monitoring indicators, and risk-mitigation framework.

Day 34–45

5

Technical Presentation and Knowledge Sharing Session

Technical Presentation / Workshop Materials – for dissemination and policy dialogue with MoHFW, WHO, and development partners.

Day 46–48

6

Final Review and Submission

Consolidated Final Report – integrating all feedback, recommendations, and approved implementation roadmap.

Day 49–50

Required
Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Science.

Desired

• An advanced degree in Public Health, Health Systems, Health Policy, or Public Administration. PhD in Public Health, Health Systems, or related field.

*Required
Experience Requirements*

• Minimum 7 years of experience in PHC system design, implementation planning, or health systems strengthening.
• Proven experience in developing implementation or operational frameworks for health programs
• Strong understanding of Bangladesh's health system and policy environment.
• Experience working with government, UN agencies, or development partners.

Desired

• Experience in large-scale program design and sector program planning.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in multi-stakeholder processes and policy dialogues.