Featured project: the AusAID Health Resource Facility (HRF)

The Health Resource Facility (HRF) assists AusAID staff to make well informed policy and operating decisions for their international aid programme in health and HIV. A demand driven service, the HRF was established to help meet the increased demand for health and HIV expertise as AusAID scales up its regional programme.

Papua New Guinea is a key partner in Australia’s Asia Pacific health and HIV programme.

The main function of the HRF is to source and mobilise international health and HIV technical assistance, with a focus on the Asia Pacific region. In addition to short-term technical assistance, the HRF provides information on health and HIV by conducting literature searches, undertaking analysis and synthesis of material into short reports or briefing documents. The facility also delivers professional development services for staff on health and HIV issues.

This type of resource facility is a new approach by AusAID to accessing and quality assuring advice, technical expertise and assistance in health and HIV across its development programme.

To date, the HRF has provided support across a wide variety of technical areas, including nutrition, civil society involvement, emerging infectious diseases and human resources for health. Recent assignments included a review of AusAID’s Pacific Non-Communicable Diseases programme, and an assessment of the status of planning for the health workforce, with a focus on rural facilities and staff in Vanuatu

Managed by HLSP in association with IDSS, Australia, HRF services are made available to AusAID staff through the Canberra-based help desk and through the Facility's dedicated website.

www.ausaidhrf.com.au