ThaiNGO

Terms of Reference for

Review of policy/legal environment on Non-Communicable Diseases prevention for Young People in Thailand

• I. Background

Plan International is an international child and youth development organization dedicated to promoting the realization of children and young people’s rights, especially girl’s rights, in both development and humanitarian settings.

The Young Health Programme (YHP) is AstraZeneca’s global community investment initiative with the aim to support the health rights and well-being of young people (aged 10 – 24)  in marginalized communities worldwide through research, advocacy and on the ground programmes which are focused on the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).  Since 2010, this programme has been implemented in Zambia, Brazil, India, Kenya, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar.

With a commitment to support and defend the health, wellbeing and rights of young people, in July 2019, Plan International has expanded the global YHP into Bangkok, Thailand, where NCDs pose a significant threat.  It is a five-year programme which will run until June 2024.

 The YHP follows the internationally recognized 5x5 model, which draws a link between 5 main NCD risk factors (tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and air pollution) and 5 main NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental health). In this model, the YHP focuses on the risk factors among young people with the aim to prevent NCDs.   In addressing the health needs of young people, the YHP takes a holistic approach that mainstreams gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights and mental health. Given the significant cross over and influence of these areas on NCD risk behaviours, and since these areas are fundamental barriers to young people leading healthy lives, creating positive changes in the lives and health of young people requires an approach in which these areas are addressed and challenged. The programme will engage strategies including youth empowerment through peer education, community mobilization, health service strengthening and advocacy.

The overall goal of the Young Health Programme (YHP) in Thailand is to contribute to improving health and well-being of young people between 10 – 24 years old in selected area of Bang Khen, Chatuchak, Laksi, Klongtoey and Wattana districts in Bangkok and Muang Samutprakarn and Prapadaeng districts in Samutprakarn.   Specifically, it aims to ensure that young people in the selected area have increased knowledge about NCD prevention and NCD risk factors, which give them greater capacity to make informed decisions about their health, in the context of improved health services, enabling support system and policy environment.   The specific objectives of YHP Thailand are:

Objective One: Young people have increased knowledge and capacity to protect and promote their long-term health, including NCD prevention, SRHR, gender equality and mental health.

Objective Two: Communities (teachers, families, local leaders) are informed and mobilised to provide a safe and supportive environment that facilitates healthy behaviour among young people.

Objective Three: Health services have the capacity to support the health of young people, including accessible and quality of youth friendly services.

Objective Four: Laws and policies support NCD prevention and promote the broader health of young people.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

Plan International Thailand is looking for an external consultant to conduct a context analysis of current policies, laws, regulations, budgets and initiatives related to NCD prevention and broader health among young people, and their implementation at national and sub-national levels, with a particular focus on Bangkok and its surroundings areas  where the YHP will be implemented.  Based on the findings from this analysis, a YHP advocacy strategy will be developed for the duration of the programme, identifying gaps and opportunities in existing NCD prevention policies or laws that will be targeted in YHP.

3. Scope of Work  

This assignment contributes to Objective Four  the Young Health Programme (YHP).  In order to strengthen the legal and policy environment, it is crucial first to conduct a mapping of the existing policy and legal framework in Thailand in relation to NCD prevention and control and the broader health of young people and assess the current situation. On this premise, the YHP team intends to support the consultant in undertaking this assignment to take the YHP’s advocacy agenda forward.

The selected consultant will conduct a desk research and deliver targeted key informant interviews to achieve the following:

• Mapping the current legal and policy environment in terms of addressing NCDs prevention and health of young people. This should include:
  • Mapping of the current regulations and laws, policies and strategies, and budgets at national and Bangkok area levels to identify the relevant legislation/policies/budget lines and to identify gaps, weaknesses, opportunities for improvement
  • Assessing the extent to which existing laws and policies around NCD prevention and young people's health are being implemented, and looking at the budget allocated for this implementation and the extent to which it is being spent where possible.
  • Analysing the extent to which the Life Skills Education curriculum in basic education schools, vocational education schools, and universities is addressing the five NCD risk factors in physical training and health education
  • Identifying existing multi-sectoral strategies to link NCD prevention with other related government departments (including, for example, the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) – Ministry of Education; Office of Vocational Education – Ministry of Education; Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; Department of Education – Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA); and NCD prevention among young people in schools, universities and others)
  • The extent to which young people are targeted through the national strategic plan for the prevention of NCDs
• An analysis of key stakeholders who are contributing to NCD prevention and existing NCD projects that are implemented in Thailand, including:
  • Key civil society stakeholders and networks who are advocating for NCD prevention and changes in NCD prevention laws and policies
  • Key government stakeholders who are responsible for implementing/reporting on NCD policies, strategies and initiatives. Identifying those stakeholders that could potentially be targeted through YHP advocacy at the national and the local level.
• Identify the main spaces that young people can occupy for advocacy purposes in Thailand, such as through national and local government strategy implementation plans and reviews, civil society and youth forums, and networks on NCDs.
• Give recommendations for advocacy objectives which could be included in the YHP advocacy strategy, based on the identified gaps and opportunities. Suggesting key policies, legislation, strategies which should be changed or introduced to improve the policy environment for NCD prevention and the broader health of young people. Identifying any budget lines or increases which are required. 
• Suggest advocacy activities which could be carried out to achieve the recommended advocacy objectives

The main methodology for this consultancy is a desk review, complemented by a few  key informant interviews with non-governmental stakeholders such as civil society organisations and networks. If clarification on certain policies or laws is needed, then the consultant may request to also undertake interviews with policymakers, although this is not encouraged to ensure an objective analysis.

• IV. Key Deliverables

The overall context analysis review process will be undertaken in up to  25  working days.  The consultant will be responsible for completing the following during the implementation period proposed:

• V. Supervision and Support 

The consultant will report to the YHP Program Manager and will work in collaboration with the YHP team. Plan International Thailand will provide support in coordinating meetings, review, and feedback of research methodology and report as well as other relevant logistical matters. The consultant will be responsible for conducting all agreed fieldwork arrangements in consultation with the teams, as mentioned above.

• VI. Qualification, Skill and Experience

The consultant should meet the following qualifications and experience:

• Advanced degree in public health with specific knowledge and expertise in NCDs is preferable
• At least two years’ experience with advocacy and developing advocacy strategies
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Thailand's Health System, Policy, and Framework
• Does not affiliate with any government bodies
• Research experience in the health sector and preferably the proven experience in health policy review and qualitative data analysis skills
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to children’s rights, gender equality and development issues
• Experience in working across multiple sectors and levels from institutional and policy levels
• Excellent understanding of ethical issues in research     
• Fluent in Thai and proficient in the use of English

• VII. Application Process  

We invite interested consultants to submit the following application documents: 

• The technical proposal describes the expression of interest outlining how the consultant meets the selection criteria and their understanding of the TOR.   The conceptual framework planned for undertaking this assignment.  It must contain a work plan which indicates the phases of the assignment, the timing, key deliverables, and milestone.  
• A financial proposal detailing consultant(s) itemized fees, data collection methods, and administrative costs 
• The CV of the consultant(s) who will undertake the review
• One recent example of a similar report written by the applicant 

All the above-mentioned documents must be sent by e-mail to Khun Supornchai Nawataweeporn at supornchai.nawataweeporn@plan-international.org  by  20^th November 2019 at the latest.

Plan International, Thailand

14th Floor, 253 Sukhumvit 21 Road (Asoke), Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110

Tel.    +66 (0) 2 2598284-6 Fax.    +66 (0) 2 259 8218

Kindly be informed that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.