Consultant - Strengthening the health system for non-communicable diseases in WHO EMRO

Purpose of the consultancy

The Health Systems Strengthening for Universal Health Coverage partnership (HSS for UHC) is a programme designed to enhance national and regional capacities to improve health system functions across the health systems building blocks to address non-communicable diseases and health security.

The purpose of the consultancy is to support EMR countries to accelerate HSS for UHC with impact on NCDs by building capacity of the Member States in strengthening national health system response to NCD, with a focus on the management and integration of NCDs in primary health care, in stable and emergency settings

Background

Over the past 20 years, NCDs have changed the world and become the leading cause of death in most countries resulting in 200 million premature deaths among women and men aged between 30 and 70, the majority living in developing countries. Most deaths could have been avoided or delayed. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NCDs were inflicting the single greatest loss in cumulative economic output in history, becoming one of the greatest challenges to development in the twenty-first century. The WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013-2020 (WHA64.11) set a global target of a 25% relative reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025 with additional targets to address shared NCD behavioral risk factors and access to NCD care.

The World Health Organization (WHO) leads in supporting countries to respond to the challenges of sustainably strengthening their health systems, to achieve universal health coverage and to adapt to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The European Union (EU) supports WHO by promoting the aid effectiveness agenda and advancing the 2030 Agenda to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). EU and WHO jointly agreed to work towards a more integrated approach aimed at strengthening national health systems and supporting countries to reach universal health coverage. Over the period 2019-2022, the ‘Health Systems Strengthening for Universal Health Coverage’ Partnership (HSS for UHC) aims to address and strengthen key health systems components with a particular focus on non-communicable diseases and health security at national and regional levels.

1. Planned timelines

Start date: 1 July 2021

End date: 30 November 2021

Work to be performed

Output 1: Analyse the mainstreaming of NCD into HSS for UHC policies, strategies, tools, implementation of activities.

Deliverable 1.1 Prepare a list of national HSS policies, strategies, tools, implementation rate of activities and other documents on NCD related activities.

Deliverable 1.2 Draft a report on country data and information related to NCDs mainstreaming into UHC on Health workforce, service delivery systems, health governance, Health information system, financial management systems, governance and strategic planning, access to medicines, vaccines and health products to feed into a health systems performance assessment.

Deliverable 1.3 Draft NCD landscape reports based on compiled information to summarize the national context of NCD service delivery through a health systems approach.

Output 2: Assist on NCD integration in primary health care, in stable and emergency settings

Deliverable 2.1: Submit 3 EMR countries’ reports on implementing WHO packages (PEN-HEARTS)

Deliverable 2.2: Identify core essential services for NCD services in two EMR countries, and evaluate the NCD management programmes

Deliverable 2.3: Document experiences from EMR countries in strengthening the integration and management of NCD in PHC.

Output 3: Develop capacity building packages for EMR countries as required.

Deliverable 3.1: Develop and adapt training package to promote and support capacity building of healthcare workers in the management and early detection of NCDs and develop tools to roll-out and implement the NCD WHO packages as well as communication for behavioural impact

Deliverable 3.2: Facilitate a regional training for EMR countries and coordinate the delivery in collaboration with WHO HQ and WCO.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Minimum first university degree for lower end of range, Master’s degree for mid and high end of range in Public health, research, project management or a related field.
Experience:

From 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in Noncommunicable Diseases. Relevant international experience is mandatory.

Experience in health systems strengthening and policy development is an asset.

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Good knowledge of noncommunicable disease and public health.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Strong writing skills: ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

Strong attention to detail.

Self-motivated and comfortable working in a small, collaborative team environment.

Extensive knowledge of standard Microsoft Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

- Language requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of English (written and oral) – Essential
• Arabic and French desirable.

Place of assignment

Consultancy remotely based, depending on COVID-19 situation. Joining duty station can take place based on need.

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

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

Additional Information section

• 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.
• Remuneration is in line with WHO consultant established rates
• Successful candidates will be included in the roster for consideration for future contractual engagement via a consultancy, as they become available. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relationship with WHO
• 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.
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• 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• 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.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:
  (a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated;
  (b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided;
  (c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.