Consultant roster on Core Capacity Assessment, Monitoring, Evaluation & International Health Regulations

1. Purpose of the Position

Under the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & The International Health Regulations (IHR) programme area, the WHO Regional office for Europe seeks to establish a roster of consultants to support the Core Capacity Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (CME) team in planning, implementation and evaluation of activities under the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MEF).

The consultants on the roster will work at different levels to contribute to health emergency preparedness and monitoring across a number of technical areas and issues. They will provide technical support for the advancement of health emergency management systems.

2. Organizational context

The International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005). (1) is the main international legally binding agreement that addresses the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with, and restricted to, public health risks, and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade. The aim of the IHR (2005) is to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease, particularly during public health events of international concern. The IHR (2005) also includes provisions aimed at reducing the risk of disease spread at international airports, ports and ground crossings.

The WHO Secretariat in consultation with Member States developed the International Health Regulations (IHR)(2005) monitoring and evaluation framework (IHRMEF) in line with the recommendations of the review committee on second extensions for establishing national public health capacities and on IHR implementation.

The IHRMEF objectively informs national action plans to strengthen country capacities for public health emergency preparedness and health security. The IHRMEF has four main components: (i) mandatory State Party self-assessment Annual Reporting (SPAR), (ii) voluntary intra/after-action reviews (I/AAR), (iii) simulation exercises (SimEx) and (iv) joint external evaluation (JEE). The National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) transforms recommendations from various evaluations into actions that can strengthen the ability of countries to prepare and be operationally ready to manage major public health risks or events. Lessons learnt from recent health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the need for countries to continuously develop, strengthen and maintain their capacities under the IHR.

3. Description of duties

The consultant under the guidance of Core Capacity Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation (CME) unit lead, and the overall guidance of the CPI Programme Area Manager, WHO Regional Office for Europe, and based on inputs from other technical teams, will have the following deliverables:

1. IHR Capacity assessments
• Support planning processes and implementation of activities under the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
Deliverables:
- Contribute to planning and implementation of upcoming IHR MEF activities in the WHO European Region including joint external evaluations (JEEs), Intra/After Action Reviews (IAR/AAR) and simulation exercises (SimExs).
- Support the development of National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS).

2. Data analysis
• Support the compilation, analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data generated by IHR States Parties on the status of IHR implementation, for the purpose of priority setting, resource allocation and refinement of WHO and partners’ tools.
Deliverables:
- Contribute to regional trend analysis of IHR Capacity status in the WHO European Region.
- Support with IHR MEF related data analysis (regional, country and/or IHR capacity area specific) upon request.

3. Capacity building activities
• Contribute to the development of training and information materials relevant for different target audiences and appropriate for the regional context, including the organization of workshops based on the IHR MEF tools.
Deliverables:
- Support in developing training materials for workshops, webinars and other training courses in relation to implementation of the IHR in the WHO European Region.
- In close technical guidance and supervision of the regional WHE/CPI unit, develop and update relevant technical tools (guidance and operational documents, training materials, etc.).

4. Core Capacity focus – Border Health/Points of Entry (PoE)
• Provide support to development and assessment for routine and emergency capacities at points of entry (PoE), as required under the IHR.
• Report and respond to requests on PoE capacity assessments including support in planning and assessment processes of PoE capacities, including under the SPAR 2021 reporting cycle.
• Provide support to PoE capacity building activities.
• Upon request support WCOs and National counterparts in developing/updating and implementation of points of entry contingency plans as required under the IHR (2005).

4. Recruitment Profile

Functional Knowledge and Skills

Essential:
o teaching and communication skills;
o report-writing skills (in English).

Desirable:
o work experience in WHO or another international public health organization

Education Qualifications

Essential: University degree in medicine, a health-related field or public health-related discipline.
Desirable: Master or postgraduate training in Public Health or other relevant areas. Specialized training in emergency/disaster preparedness and response.

Experience

Essential:
o 5-7 years experience working on IHR strengthening with a particular focus on border health and points of entry and the IHR monitoring and evaluation framework;
o at least 3 years’ experience working with international organizations in the area of training and education in critical care of patients;

Languages

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English

5. Contract duration

Five months split in 2 contracts:
3 months in 2021: October-November-December
2 months in 2022: January-February

6. Location

Multiple duty stations in the Who European region.

7. Travel

N/A

8. Remuneration and budget

Band B (daily fee range USD 350 - 450)

9. 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'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.