Consultant - NPHis and systems

1. Purpose of consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise on strengthening the contribution of National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) for preparedness and response to health emergencies in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean countries through enhancing existing supply chain systems in light of COVID-19 response gains.

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 such as the National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs), aiding in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. The partnership domains include surveillance, training workforce, leveraging digital technologies, bolstering operational and logistical support, and improving response capabilities.

Under a recent initiative, WHE is enhancing its collaboration with NPHIs in the region to support improvement in their systems and capacities and better contribute to emergency preparedness and response activities. Under the initiative, technical support is being extended to NPHIs, collaborative opportunities are being explored such as twinning and cross sectoral partnerships are being encouraged between NPHIs and other sectors and institutions at national, regional and global levels.

This consultancy specifically aims to support the NPHIs on identifying and recommending ways to further develop supply chain systems for emergency preparedness and response specifically to sustain COVID-19 pandemic response gains as well as strengthen contribution to collaborative surveillance for epidemic and pandemic prone diseases.

Planned timelines (subject to extension according to budget availability)

Start date: 15/10/2024

End date: 14/04/2025

3. Deliverables

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

Output 1: Provide technical advice on strengthening contribution of NPHIs to optimally benefit from gains made during COVID-19 pandemic response in supply chain systems in line with WHO/EMRO’s framework and tools on engagement with NPHIs for emergency preparedness and response.

·Deliverable 1.1: conduct a survey on existing supply chain systems in countries in EMR related to emergency preparedness and response (for disease and humanitarian emergencies)

·Deliverable 1.2: develop a report on supply chain systems existing in countries in EMR related to emergency preparedness and response (for disease and humanitarian emergencies)

·Deliverable 1.3: develop a policy on role of NPHIs in supply chain systems for health emergency preparedness and response

Output 2: Provide technical advice on enhancing supply chain systems for emergencies through NPHIs for future epidemics and pandemics.

·Deliverable 2.1: design and develop an online course on supply chain management for emergency preparedness and response specifically highlighting role of NPHIs

·Deliverable 2:2: work with the team of openwho.org to host the course on online platform of WHO.

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Master’s degree in medicine or public health related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

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

Experience:

Essential: At least 7-10 years of national and international experience in public health programme management especially supply chain systems, surveillance, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response.

Desirable: Prior working experience in the field of emergency, with/for Government, WHO and or UN agencies.

Skills/Knowledge:

1. Excellent analytical skills and experience with technical reporting.
2. Excellent coordination and facilitation skills, including ability to work with wide range of stakeholders across the spectrum of government, donors, technical partners, development actors and other expanded partners.
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:

Off-site (remote)

In case of any travel:.

Visa requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfill 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 B

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

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 time frames (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