Hours: Approximately 420 hours between November 2024 and September 2025
Rate: Commensurate with required experience and qualifications
Reports to: Team Lead, MCC Lesotho HSS and Counter GBV support
About URC:
URC is a globally recognized leader in healthcare quality improvement. Since 1965, we have been committed to building and sustaining resilient health systems by collaborating with partners to implement science-driven, scalable solutions tailored to local needs. We embody our core values: Respect, Integrity, Innovation, DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility), Collaboration, Accountability, and Performance Excellence.
Overview:
Lesotho has multiple health challenges compounded by restricted access to essential services in rural areas. The country has one of the highest maternal and under five mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV levels remain high and there is an increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is in the process of updating and reviewing primary health care to address the main health challenges based on data from the recent Demographic and Health Survey. This includes a review of the provision of outpatient preventive, promotive, and curative service delivery at the district level, including the village health worker program.
Under the Lesotho Health and Horticulture Compact, the MCC Lesotho HSS and Counter GBV project engages local accountable entities to provide the necessary technical services and support to the MOH and other partners/stakeholders. Through its team of local and international experts, URC provides technical assistance to MCC to improve health outcomes in Lesotho by strengthening the primary health care system.
In 2023, the MOH, supported by URC, embarked on a restructuring exercise involving a structuring team at the MOH. Recent endorsement of the output from this work paved the way for the next steps. The MOH will be undertaking deeper analysis of their staffing and organizational footprint to create a more efficient and leaner MOH with clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting. The new structure will be developed down to the lowest level, outlining the required departments (merged or created), units, sub-units, and number and title of positions in each sub-unit at the central level (from the Director General to drivers). URC, WHO, and UNICEF will jointly be supporting this assessment and analysis. The approach will be collaborative with the restructuring team and engaging closely with the MOH.
URC is searching for an experienced MOH Organizational Restructuring Expert to be part of the team that will undertake this assessment and analysis between November 2024 and September 2025.
Responsibilities:
The MOH Organizational Restructuring Expert will report to the Team Lead and work with the HRH Global Expert, HRH National Expert, and GBV/Gender Social Inclusion Technical Specialist.
Specific responsibilities include the following, which will be undertaken with URC, the MOH restructuring technical working group, and the WHO/UNICEF team:
- Collaborate with the MOH restructuring technical working group to update or conduct a mapping exercise to obtain information on staff structure and vacancy levels at the central level
- Analyze data from the HRH assessment and mapping exercise to propose a structure that supports the district epidemiological and primary health care needs of Lesotho, with consideration of efficiency, gender, social inclusion, and health equity
- Develop an appropriate approach to understand barriers and motivations in restructuring and an appropriate change management approach
- Propose a new central MOH staffing and organizational/departmental structure (presenting divisions, departments, units, sub-units, and personnel) that supports the district’s primary health care goals and objectives and is consistent with the requirements of other government ministries, including the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Service (Public Service Commission)
- Ensure alignment between the central MOH’s human resource roles and functions to optimize human capital and enhance performance and efficiency to support district primary health care service delivery
- Collaborate with the GBV/Gender Social Inclusion Technical Specialist to propose an approach for a central GBV structure
- Build ownership of the processes with the MOH to gain agreement on the staffing and organizational/departmental structure proposal
- Develop a realistic roll-out and phased implementation plan and timeline for restructuring, clearly identifying roles and responsibilities from all the key stakeholders
- Meet with the MCC as required to provide updates on the work and fundings, under the guidance of the Team Lead
- Travel and work in Lesotho for 3 to 4 times during the consultancy period and stay for several weeks during each visit as required and agreed upon with the team
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to analyze multiple data sources, including HRH, epidemiological, organizational, and qualitative data, to propose realistic structures and timeframes for an organizational/departmental restructure
- Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data and present results in a succinct and action-oriented manner
- Familiarity with the provision of health care in southern Africa (preferably in Lesotho)
- Familiarity with the provision of decentralized or deconcentrated, government-funded health care in countries with small populations
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook), and preferably HRH analytical software
- Experience with visual representation software (e.g., Canva or Strategic Roadmap)
Required Experience and Qualifications:
- A Master's degree, or equivalent accreditation, in organizational psychology, HRH, health policy, and/or HSS
- At least 10 years of experience working in HSS, health equity, and/or health policy in sub-Saharan Africa or a similar context
- At least 8 years of experience in organizational change management with MOHs, Ministries of Finance, and/or health-focused non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on restructuring for efficiency and effectiveness
- At least 6 years of experience facilitating large and small group presentations and discussions to elicit candid feedback
- At least 4 years of experience integrating gender and social inclusion within designs
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Unless otherwise directed we will retain your CV in our database for future opportunities.
URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
We value and seek diversity in our workforce.
