Consultant - Global Health Cluster Focal Point for Inter-Sectoral Collaboration

Purpose of consultancy

To strengthen the coordination and effectiveness of inter-sectoral/cluster collaboration to achieve better health outcomes through more effective and efficient programming with other health enhancing clusters (Nutrition, WASH, Food Security & Protection) and other partners, through harmonized efforts to identify and promote cohesive strategic vision, minimum standards and practical solutions to technical and operational challenges in public health and humanitarian crises.

Background

As Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) designated Cluster Lead Agency, the World Health Organization (WHO) hosts the Global Health Cluster (GHC) within the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE). The Global Health Cluster unit leads, coordinates and monitors the work of the Global Health Cluster and in collaboration with other partner agencies, WHO Departments and Regional Offices. The GHC unit contributes to the effectiveness and quality of Country Health Cluster performance by promoting predictable response and collective action by GHC partners in accordance with IASC and health sector related policies and good practice. This work is guided by the GHC Strategy 2020-2023. Currently there 31 Health Clusters providing health assistance to 97.8 million people through the efforts of approximately 900 Health Cluster partners.

Improving health outcomes requires more timely, predictable, cohesive and quality assured multi-sectoral preparedness and response actions by the health and other health-enhancing clusters to address the most common health threats and their multi-dimensional vulnerabilities. Yet, whilst effective inter-sectoral coordination is widely recognized as an essential part of any emergency response that is accountable the affected population, system-wide efforts to design and deliver coherent multi-sectoral programs through improvements in the Humanitarian Program Cycle and partner focused work, the ability to implement multi-sectoral action remains challenging due to various structural, technical and operational factors. Whilst applicable to all-hazards, this gap has been most evidence in preparedness and response to disease outbreaks (cholera, Ebola, COVID-19) and famine prevention and response. Efforts to strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration between the Health, Nutrition, WASH, Food Security and Protection clusters have progressed at global through the formation of an Inter Sectoral Platform (ISP) and in some countries through specific project support. However, these efforts require more intensive strategic and operational engagement to further promote and support country clusters with further convergence. This work is a priority within the GHC work-plan for which BHA funding has been secured. The consultant will be the focal point for driving the related deliverables as outlined below.

Deliverables:

Deliverable 1:

• Provide Intersectoral ‘helpdesk’ solutions to priority Country Health Clusters and promote health priorities to other health enhancing sectors (Nutrition, WASH, Food Security, Protection) through collaboration with the global Joint Intersectoral Platform (ISP); identify gaps & capture good practice; deliver at least 3 expert led thematic cluster. to cluster webinars.

Outputs:
Expected deliverables by 31 July 2023:

• GHC Intersectoral ‘helpdesk’ plan & monitoring framework implemented in priority countries.
• Implementation of virtual or in-person inter-sectoral/inter-cluster training sessions supported.
• Documentation of inter-sectoral/inter-cluster best practices and lessons learnt in priority countries supported.
• Priority topics identified; 3 thematic webinars delivered and supporting documents collated and shared.
• Joint Intersectoral Platform (ISP) workplan reflecting health cluster priorities implemented.

Deliverable 2:

• Map frameworks & tools for systematic inter-sectoral integration and coordination of public health crises.
• Provide technical expertise on implementation of ISP chapeau-paper on principles of inter-cluster engagement and multi-sectoral approach in priority countries.
• Develop framework clarifying the role of clusters in multi-sectoral outbreak preparedness and response (including coordination, technical and operational contributions) aligned to over-arching public health principles and specific requirements for priority outbreaks (cholera, Ebola).
• Provide GHC inputs to GNC-led framework & guidance for nutrition sensitive programming.
• Perform baseline mapping of existing tools for inter-sectoral action.

Outputs:
Expected deliverables by 31 July 2023:

• ISP chapeau paper disseminated to all health clusters.
• Mapping of frameworks for outbreak preparedness & response completed.
• GHC inputs to GNC frameworks & guidance delivered.
• Baseline mapping of tools completed.

Deliverable 3:

• Facilitate country level implementation of inter-sectoral frameworks and guidance.
• Direct 2 priority country health clusters to develop and/or refine intersectoral strategies and operational plans for identified risks.
• Facilitate the delivery of inter-sectoral training in collaboration with the GHC focal point for capacity development & the joint ISP.
• Undertake at least 1 country mission.

Outputs:
Expected deliverables by 31 July 2023:

• 2 country intersectoral strategies & operations plans developed.
• Relevant inter-cluster/inter-sector training sessions coordinated, supported or if necessary, delivered.
• Draft and finalize at least 1 country mission report.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in public health or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in public health including experience in the development and implementation of humanitarian health projects in acute and protracted settings.
• Experience in the design and implementation of multi-sectoral preparedness & response actions.
• Experience working with country-level inter-cluster/multi-sectoral coordination platforms in humanitarian settings.
• Previous experience of the cluster approach & demonstrated understanding of the health cluster at global and country level.
• Experience with WHO, UN Agencies or International NGOs.

Skills

• Knowledge of IASC protocols and guidelines, tools and policies, and performance management.
• Strong expertise in developing good practice, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate level of French

Location

Off-site: Home based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B-USD USD 7,000 to 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:

5 months: 01 March 2023 to 31 July 2023.

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.
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• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
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• 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.
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