Analysis and Strategy Support Consultant

-1. Purpose of consultancy

WHO Field Presence in Gaziantep has created support activities on enhancing access to quality primary and secondary health care services for vulnerable populations in Idleb and Aleppo governorates in northwest Syria while ensuring continuity of care across health facilities. WHO is trying to provide access to good quality primary and secondary health care services for those who are underserved and in hard-to-reach areas. This position aims to provide immediate support to the WHO Gaziantep Field Presence and support tasks and operations of the External relations and M&E unit, including support in implementation of routine programmatic M&E activities and resource mobilization/ proposal writing by providing analytical, planning, and technical support for the healthcare delivery in northwest Syria.

2. Background

As the crisis enters its tenth year, more than 6.5 million people remain internally displaced (IDPs) within Syria , the most of whom had been displaced more than once. Changes in security and control in different areas continue to drive internal population movements, over 1.8 million reported in 2020. Delivery of health services to those in need in Syria remains challenging, not least because of the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic but also more than half of all health care facilities are closed or only partially functioning, which makes it difficult to reach the over 11 million people throughout Syria in need of humanitarian health assistance.

Health facilities serve as the critical entry point for humanitarian lifesaving and life-sustaining essential health services at the primary level. Availability of humanitarian life-saving reproductive, maternal, new-born, and child health services is critical in humanitarian settings, which typically see rises in maternal deaths, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortion, and gender-based violence . Pregnant women require ante-natal and post-natal care, and access to skilled birth attendants , children under five need routine immunization services and enhanced efforts are especially needed in areas with low vaccination coverage rates, such as parts of Aleppo and Idleb .

Recent assessments indicate the need for a more coordinated and coherent supply of medicines and services within Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), particularly for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), a common cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs are also critical: prolonged exposure to conflict is believed to increase the prevalence of mental health conditions above the WHO global prevalence of 15% , yet social stigma surrounding mental health care and shortages of trained health workers are remain ongoing barriers to treatment. Referral capacity, including ambulances, is needed to overcome gaps in secondary care and connect patients to humanitarian life-saving care. Specialized services are needed for physical rehabilitation, assistive devices, tuberculosis, dialysis, in-patient treatment of severe acute malnutrition with medical complications, and burns. Surveillance data for epidemic-prone diseases indicate that influenza-like illness, acute diarrhoea, cutaneous leishmaniasis, and suspected hepatitis are the most common morbidities in northwest Syria . Broad coverage of surveillance activities and response teams, a joint efforts with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) actors to ensure safe water supplies and sanitation, are needed to both prevent and control disease outbreaks.

3. Deliverables

• Develop strategic papers, briefs, advocacy documentations related to the end date of the UN Security Council Resolution #2585 end date - by July 10, 2022.
• Routine monthly report to the MoH of Turkey on WHO Gaziantep Office operations - by 25th of each month.
• Contribution to upcoming donors’ reports (BHA 72696, SCHF SA1, Japan award 68728, FCDO 69877, GAVI award 73041 and others): data analysis for core indicators, preparations of graphs and charts to support implementation overview and strengthening donors reporting – deadlines between June 30, 2022 till December 31, 2022.
• Strategic communication briefs and advocacy products related to WHO Gaziantep Field Office operations, including monthly reports to MoH of Turkey (1 per each month).
• Review and draft of the update of Strategic Operational Priorities for 2023 and preparation for review meeting in September, bulletins, etc. - by September 31, 2022.
• Strategic briefs to different UN agencies and Turkish health authorities regarding the operational modality with respect to UN Security Council Resolution #2585 and risk of non-renewal.
• Monthly technical report detailing activities undertaken as per areas mentioned in the scope of work - 1st of each next month.
• End report with achievements and recommendations for further action on activities as per scope of work - December 31, 2022.

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, public health and/or social sciences from an accredited/recognized institution.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years’ experience in resource mobilization, proposal writing, applications development and establishing and maintaining relationships with donors.
• Experience in performing and/or supporting reporting to governments’ agencies and authorities. Any experience with reporting to Turkish governmental bodies would be advantage.
• Experience in ensuring compliance to donor regulations, reporting and M&E requirements in the most efficient way.
• Experience in working with various donors, including USAID/BHA, UN OCHA, UK and different EU donors.

Desirable:

• Ability to undertake delegated tasks and work independently under short deadline modality and inside fast changing environment.
• Strong Presentation skills, including design and usage of visualization tools.
• Project management experience is an asset.

Skills/Knowledge

• For this assignment, excellent communication and coordination skills are required and as well strong analytical, proposal writing skills and experience with technical reporting.
• Demonstrated tact and high sense of responsibility and discretion.
• Excellent computer skills and experience in preparing communication materials.
• Excellent research, drafting and reporting skills.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas.

Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English, Turkish (ability to provide written oral and translation as required) and Arabic.

5. Location

A combination of onsite work (Gaziantep, Türkiye) and offsite work (remotely).

6. Travel

Travels may occur.

7. Remuneration

a. Remuneration: The proposed fee is equal to Band A international consultant: 5,000 USD /per month. b. Expected duration of contract: 6 months.

8. 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.
• 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.