Consultancy – to provide Technical Expertise on Strengthening Partnerships in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Countries

1. Purpose of consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical input to partnerships with the National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) for preparedness and response to health emergencies in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean countries through WHO Health Emergencies Programme.

2. Background

Partnerships are central to WHE’s work in the Region to support Member States (MS) in strengthening preparedness and response to health emergencies. Amid increasing health emergencies in the Region, WHE leverages partnerships with diverse entities, aiding in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. This broad array of partners includes academic institutions, governments, INGOs, NGOs, networks, UN agencies, among others. The partnership domains between WHE and its partners include training workforce, leveraging digital technologies, bolstering operational and logistical support, and improving response capabilities. Other partnership domains include coordinated country support, financing, and cross-sector communication to address health emergencies e­ffectively.

WHE effectively collaborates with various global networks to address health emergencies. The WHO-managed Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) deploys resources promptly during crises. The Health Cluster partnership elevates the readiness and effectiveness of emergency teams. The Standby Partnership Program (SBP) strengthens UN agencies with surge support, while TEPHINET and EMPHNET focus on training professionals to tackle health threats such as epidemiologists. Finally, the partnership with International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) provides expertise and knowledge sharing on essential and emergency related public health functions in countries. These networks together amplify WHE’s regional impact, forming a global united front against health emergencies.

Planned timelines (subject to extension according to budget availability)

Start date: 01/10/2024

End date: 131/03/2025

3. Deliverables

The consultant will conduct the following activities with specific outputs and deliverables:

Output 1: Catalyse the process of health partner’s involvement in health sector and reporting on health services during the ongoing conflicts and crisis

•Deliverable1.1: Prepare technical materials and participate in convening consultative 3 meetings of partners (including material development) related to health cluster, GOARN, and national public health institute (NPHIs)

•Collect information on Who’s Where, since and until When, doing What (4Ws) specific to the crisis and develop and submit report.

•Deliverable 1.2:Develop update in the form of bulletin which reflect appropriate links among humanitarian actions in different crisis and engagement of institutions such as NPHIs in emergency management

Output 2: Provide technical support in advocacy, communication and information management for health partners related to different crisis

•Deliverable 2.1: Draft and Develop advocacy products including webpages, dashboard, and infographics as well as news bulletin on partnerships including NPHIs

•Deliverable 2:2 Suggesta mechanism and submit a report on cluster profiling which can be disseminated to partners, donors, government, and other stakeholders

Output 3: Document training needs in relation to technical standards and protocols for the delivery of key health services to ensure their adoption and uniform application through health sector coordinators in country offices

•Deliverable 3.1: Conduct survey or use other mechanism to collect training needs from stakeholders

•Deliverable 3.2: Develop report of the survey

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Education:

Essential: First university degree in social, management, communications, medicine or public health related field and preferably a post graduate degree in similar disciplines from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable: Specialized education/training in emergency preparedness and response, communications, partnerships coordination or public health programme management.

Experience

Essential: up to 5 years of national and international experience in public health programme management,and or emergency partnerships or communication of public health programmes.

Desirable: Prior working experience in emergency, Government, WHO and or UN agencies.

Skills/Knowledge:

1. Good coordination skills, including ability to work with wide range of stakeholders across the spectrum of government, donors, technical partners, development actors and other expanded partners.
2. Good analytical skills and experience with technical reporting.
3. Excellent research, drafting and reporting skills.
4. Proactive identification, reporting and resolution/mitigation of issues and risks.
5. Political acumen and ability to drive change and improvements in challenging and complex conflict settings.
6. Good interpersonal negotiation skills, including ability to problem solve and manage conflicts.
7. Demonstrated tact and high sense of responsibility and discretion.

Languages and level required :

Excellent knowledge of English language.

5. Location:

Amman, Jordan .

Visa requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

6. Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.)

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

7. Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

a. Remuneration: the international pay band A

b. Expected duration of contract : 6 months (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year):

The selected Consultant will work under the supervision of:

Responsible Officer:

Dr. Wasiq Khan, Team Lead, WHE-EMO

Additional Information :

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

· WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html