International Health Regulations (IHR) Consultant on Points of Entry (PoE)

1. Purpose of the Position

WHO Country Office in Ukraine supports the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (hearafter MOH) in the development of the country's IHR capacities in order to fulfill the requirements for designated PoEs. The main objectives of the position are to continue provision of technical support and advise in developing the core IHR capacities at the PoEs in order to:
• To minimize the risks of international spread of diseases to/from Ukraine, that may potentially be Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC);
• To provide a border structure with capacities to effectively detect, assess, report and respond to public health events based on all-hazard approach;
• To provide the country with a capacity for contingency response related to sick travelers in routine life and emergency;
• To ensure the coordinated, effective and holistic response to public health emergencies related to sick travelers by: presence of harmonized plans, Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and procedures incorporating all relevant sectors and administrative levels (local, regional, national); functions of the trained public health focal point at designated PoEs.

2. Organizational context

Following the 68th World Health Assembly in May 2015, member states tasked WHO to review its engagement in health emergencies. In May 2016, member states endorsed the new WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE). The new Health Emergencies Programme reinforces WHO’s traditional technical and normative role and provides the organization with new operational mandates and capabilities for its work in outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies. It aims at improving WHO’s predictability using an all-hazards approach, promoting collective action, and encompassing preparedness, readiness, response and early recovery activities. It adopts the principles of a single programme, with one line of authority, one workforce, one budget, one set of rules and processes, and one set of standard performance metrics. This common structure is applied across the organization with the goal to optimize intra-agency coordination, operations and information flow.

Recent public health events, such as the 2016 Zika outbreak and 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic and the current 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak, have illustrated the interconnectedness of the world and the importance of global health security. Outbreaks of new and highly infectious diseases that start in remote parts of the world can quickly spread to large, urban populations and cross borders. Moreover, Ukraine is the host of the most severe humanitarian emergencies and protracted crises. Ukraine has an extensive experience in responding to a range of emergencies, from infectious outbreaks to natural disasters to situations of armed conflict.

Since March 2021, Ukraine has been following the Joint External Evaluation process in order to assess its core IHR capacities to detect, respond and mitigate public health emergencies of any origin. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine with a technical lead of a Public Health Centre acknowledged the necessity to select and appoint the designated Points of Entry and develop a capacity building plan based on the assessments, in order to improve the implementation of IHR in Ukraine.

Based on the above, Public health Center of Ukraine (hearafter UPHC) requested WHO CO to support them with development of Point of Entry (PoE) IHR capacities. Specifically, in finalization of the list of designated PoEs, updated set of policies, SOPs, plans and procedures, contingency planning, technology and information infrastructure and dataset, training and exercise programs.

3. Description of duties

The consultant is assigned to:

1. Secure the high-level government commitment and advocate for the establishment and development of the capacities for designated PoE in order to obtain the public financing commitments for the public health capacity development plan and political support for necessary legislative changes;
2. Support the Ministry of Health (MoH) and UPHC in analysis of relevant information related to PoEs and selection process of PoEs to be designated;
3. Provide the necessary training and guidance to MoH, UPHC and other relevant sector representatives on:

1) selection criteria for designated PoE; 2) assessment of PoE and designated PoEs capacities; 3) contingency planning and SOPs; 4) other trainings/information sessions as required;

4. Support the UPHC in creating the action plan to conduct the assessment of core IHR capacities at shortlisted PoEs, including putting the monitoring system in place and working together with UPHC to conduct the assessment;
5. Provide recommendations to the MoH on needs in legislative changes in order to secure the status of the designated PoEs and fulfilment of requirements to public health functions at PoEs;
6. Directly support the MOH and UPHC in the development, revision, and updating of contingency plans, SOPs, technical guidelines, communication materials, and capacity building products for the designated PoEs

Expected deliverables:

• Training curriculum for the national authorities involved in the activities at the PoE (Public health specialists and non-public health specialists) to ensure the sustainability of the project.
• At least 4 comprehensive assessment reports for POE as well as the written recommendation on how the IHR capacities should be improved including the development of the standard list requirements for the designated PoE;
• To provide drafts for the SOPs, contingency plans for the PoEs;
• The implementation plan on the development of the IHR capacities at the PoE.

4. Recruitment Profile

Functional Knowledge and Skills

1. Knowledge of International Health Regulations (2005) with a focus on the Points of Entry requirements.
2. Demonstrated capacity in project management.
3. Proven ability to manage projects, build partnerships with multiple partners in the context of health emergencies.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills and proven ability to convey complex matters in a compelling and engaging matter to different audiences.
5. Excellent skills and knowledge in conceiving and implementing strategic partnerships, and advocacy and facilitation of cross-sectoral and multi stakeholder engagement.
6. Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure

Education Qualifications

Essential: First level university degree in a health-related field or a Medical degree from an accredited/ recognized institute.
Desirable: Specialized training in IHR at the PoE or Border Health

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of relevant experience in planning, developing and implementing health security, emergency preparedness, surveillance the at the PoE. Experience related to development of the IHR core capacities at the PoE, technical programme development and execution, and multi-stakeholder engagement. Experience in working in teams with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds
Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries.

Languages

Essential Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of Russian

5. Contract duration

15 January 2022 – 15 May 2022.
The contract will be for a duration of 5 months.

6. Location

Kyiv, Ukraine. Onsite.

7. Travel

Yes, within the country.

8. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Monthly rate is USD 6,980.

9. Work schedule / Duration of contract

5 months - 100%

10. 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.