Purpose of consultancy
To develop guidance for the implementation of rapid response capacities, under the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC) concept.
Background
WHO Health Emergencies Programme is strengthening countries’ readiness for emergencies of all hazards and supporting WHO regional offices and country offices to assess and analyze readiness capabilities, country planning and partner coordination.
Health emergencies continue to have significant and sometimes catastrophic impacts on countries’ health, economies, and development. Both recent and ongoing public health events have demonstrated that the many communities remain at high risk, and that strong levels of national readiness across all relevant sectors are crucial to ensuring the effective management of health emergencies, when they occur.
The purpose of the Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Initiative is to improve the timeliness and quality of health services provided by national and international EMTs in response to disasters, outbreaks, and other health emergencies, and to enhance the capacity of national health systems in leading the activation and coordination of EMTs and other surge capacities for response. The EMT and other Rapid Response Capacities Unit is seeking an experienced professional to provide technical expertise and support to the technical working group (TWG) being convened under the EMT to develop guidance for the implementation of rapid response capacities, under the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC) concept.
Deliverables
- Deliverable 1: Develop a Guidance document focused on the sustainable planning and development of Rapid Response Capacities (RRC) for health emergencies.
- Activity 1.1: Provide technical expertise to the technical working group lead in preparation for the group meetings.
- Activity 1.2: Improve preparation of meeting minutes and circulate among all participants.
- Activity 1.3: Collaborate with different networks to systematically map existing guidance and recommendations related to the establishment and evaluation of RRCs, classifying them against the eight domains.
- Activity 1.4: Provide technical expertise to the technical working group members in the development of recommendations and benchmarks for the implementation and assessment of RRC.
- Activity 1.5: Provide technical expertise to the technical working group in writing the guidance document on sustainable planning and development of RRC.
- Deliverable 2 – Provide technical expertise to the writing of compendium of tools (checklists) for implementation of RRC.
- Activity 2.1: Provide technical expertise to the technical working group lead in preparation for the group meetings.
- Activity 2.2: Improve preparation of meeting minutes and circulate among all participants.
- Activity 2.3: Collaborate with different networks to systematically map existing tools (such as checklists, standards, forecasting tools, surveys, roadmaps and others) for implementation of RRCs.
- Activity 2.4: Provide technical expertise to the technical working group members in the development of new tools for the implementation of rapid response capacities.
- Activity 2.5: Contribute to the technical working group in writing a compendium of existing and new tools for the implementation of RRC.
- Deliverable 3: Provide technical expertise to monitor the implementation of the EMT 2030 Strategy.
- Activity 3.1: Provide technical expertise in the development and implementation of a process for monitoring progress towards the global targets of the EMT 2030 Strategy.
- Activity 3.2: Contribute to following up the EMT 2030 Strategy regional implementation plans through participation in regular calls, and provision of technical advice when needed.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:
Essential:
- Advanced university degree in health (medicine, public health, nursing, or another related subject), international relations, or business or public administration.
Desirable:
- Certification or diploma in health emergencies, humanitarian assistance, or project management.
Experience:
Essential:
- At least 5 years of experience in the development and/or implementation of strategic, policy or technical documents and standards, including 2 years in the context of developing rapid response capacities for health emergencies.
Desirable:
- Experience related to Emergency Medical Teams.
- Experience in project management.
- Experience or a good understanding of WHO, ICRC, IFRC, MSF or national emergency response systems.
Skills:
Essential:
- Working knowledge about the eight domains of RRC; the EMT guiding principles, core, technical standards, and coordination mechanisms; the EMT 2030 Strategy.
- Ability to plan and organize tasks related to multiple simultaneous projects, and with attention to details.
- Excellent interpersonal and team leadership skills, including ability to network and develop effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders and partners.
- Ability to review, develop and implement program procedures, systems, and processes.
- Ability to maintain a positive and flexible problem-solving approach with a can-do attitude.
- Good project management skills with expertise in proposal development, implementation of emergency and developmental related projects.
- Ability to identify, pre-empt and manage program challenges.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and other related software.
Languages required:
Essential:
- Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:
- Intermediate knowledge of another UN language.
Location
Off site: Home-based
Travel
The consultant is expected to travel.
Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
Remuneration:
Band level B – USD 7,000 – 9,980 per month.
Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):
N/A
Expected duration of contract:
6 Months.
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 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