Consultancy (Coordination of Cross Cutting Workstreams)

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 2 Aug 2022 at 21:59 UTC

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Background

The Assistant Regional Director (ARD) cluster focuses on essential technical functions in key subject areas that prepare WHO and Member States to make evidence-informed decisions and harness cutting-edge research and innovations for the acceleration of health improvements. The Cluster performs cross cutting technical functions by working closely with countries and programme areas across the various clusters in the regional office which include Universal Health Coverage/ Life Course (UHC/LC), Universal Health Coverage/ Communicable and Non communicable diseases (UHC/UCN), Universal Health Coverage/ Healthier Population (UHC/HP) and Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR).

The ARD cluster has various units that coordinate work related to key strategic priorities, namely; Antimicrobial Resistance, Data, Analytics and Knowledge Management, Service Delivery Systems, Diagnostics and Laboratory Services and Research, Development and Innovation. These units lead the development of guidance and frameworks for implementation of action plans and activities in these key focus areas at country level, including the generation and use of related research and data, as well as the facilitation of monitoring, reporting and evaluation of these activities.

One of the key priorities of the cluster is to bring better integration, coherence and coordination to the region by coordinating work across countries and in programme areas across various clusters. As part of the clusters effort to achieve this functions, cross cutting workstreams were established to promote collaboration across operational activities. The workstreams bring together strategic focal points from different clusters, departments and programs into a group that prioritizes a particular thematic area, intending to harmonize, align, foster synergy, promote accountability and optimize resources efficiently towards achieving the Triple Billion (GPW13) outputs and SDG goals related to the critical theme.

Objectives

The objectives of the cross cutting workstreams are;

  1. To establish coherence, coordination, collaboration and reduce duplication across clusters, departments and programmes.
  2. To improve efficiency and ensure progress towards the attainment of the Organization’s strategic objectives.

Each workstream will focus on a thematic area where there are visible cross-cutting functions within the organization such as Manufacturing, Laboratory, Surveillance, R&D etc. The workstreams will coordinate the implementation of activities towards attaining a common strategic objective such as the GPW13 outputs, SDG goals and other regional outputs.

The consultant will be tasked with supporting the ARD cluster to launch, coordinate and facilitate the workstreams. The consultancy focus will include:

  1. Mapping and analyzing the stakeholders and the cross-cutting themes that contribute to the achievement of the GPW13 and the health related SDGs.
  2. Developing a stakeholder engagement strategy to maximize interest, ensure coordination and improve engagement amongst stakeholders.
  3. Facilitating regular information sharing and exchange on critical themes and essential functions as related to the SDG goals and the GPW13 to maximize efficiencies.
  4. Ensuring that information shared is documented and made available to relevant stakeholders to improve planning, integration and implementation.

Key Deliverables for each of the Workstreams

  1. Deliver on a common strategic objective

Each workstream will work towards attaining a common strategic objective that is in line with the GPW13 output. Members of the workstream on each thematic area (e.g manufacturing, R&D, Laboratory etc) will jointly define the strategic output and deliverables.

  1. Coordinate implementation of activities

The workstream will bring together focal point from various clusters, departments and programmes working on similar work area, with the goal of harmonizing activities within that thematic area. The consultant will identify key focal points for inclusion into the Workstream from various clusters and relevant programmes. The Workstream will harmonize and streamline activities related to the agreed joint deliverables.

  1. Share and exchange information

To ensure cross cutting integration, information sharing is very crucial. Thus, part of the objective of the workstream will be to act as an information repository for all relevant information with regards to the thematic area. The workstream, under the coordination of the facilitator, will establish a document repository that will enhance information management and sharing among Workstream members.

Scope of Work

  1. Reconcile and harmonize all the activities related to the working group

    1. The teams will identify common work articulated in their respective plans.
    2. Define shared deliverables that will attribute to these operational plans, which are aligned to the shared outputs.
    3. Define methodologies for joint implementation i.e. what exactly will be each focal points role, timeline for delivery, etc. This information will be captured in the joint workplan.
  2. Conduct regular monthly meetings that will be supported by documented minutes. The meetings will be open and transparent to allow for broad input from focal points and other relevant stakeholders. The proposed agenda but not limited will include among others;

    1. Review progress towards the achievement of the joint deliverables.
    2. Follow up on the implementation of key action points from previous meetings.
    3. Innovation that improve effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of health services.
    4. Priorities for product development, tracking of product pipelines and ways of enhancing coordinated action on research and development.
    5. Work with partners leveraging on their strengths to promote access to quality medical products.
    6. Analysis of funding available for the cross-cutting activities and ensure efficient utilization.
  3. Reporting

    1. Prepare brief progress reports, status updates and other interim documents.
    2. Provide information as needed to cluster Directors and ARD for coordinated implementation to ensure effective and efficient delivery of outputs.
  4. Establish a document repository that will be used by all the focal points to share relevant information.

Accountability measures

All deliverables and finalized technical report should be submitted to the Assistant Regional Director, WHO AFRO. Regular project monitoring mechanisms will be made for updating milestones and deliverables of the consultant. He/she is also expected to submit a detailed inception report, workplans, workstream meetings reports with clear action points and maintain an up to date document repository.

Education/Qualifications

University degree in biological sciences, medicine, pharmacy, social sciences with advanced university degree in public health, global health or related discipline.

Experience

At least seven years of progressive experience in managing programmes. Work experience at the regional or global level implementing or promoting implementation of global health initiatives.

Desirable Skills

  • Excellent negotiation skills and ability to convene and facilitate a policy process among multiple stakeholders.
  • Excellent leadership, coordination, and representation skills.
  • Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, other recognized humanitarian/ non-governmental organizations.
  • Experience leading inter-agency/ cluster coordination mechanisms with a wide range of stakeholders will be an added advantage.
  • An understanding of the WHO GPW13, the health-related SDGs regional office clusters and teams will be an added advantage.

Skills and competencies

  • Strong skills in the area of developing and implementing projects and strategic plans
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills.
  • Sound advocacy skills complemented by the ability to plan and evaluate situations and propose innovative communications options.
  • Integrity, tact and discretion in dealing with numerous stakeholders.
  • High level of judgment and initiative.
  • Knowledge of public health and international relations.
  • Proven ability to guide and motivate people from a broad range of cultural backgrounds.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is essential. Working knowledge of French or another UN language is an advantage.

Competencies

  • Communicating in a credible and effective way
  • Producing results
  • Creativity and innovative thinking
  • Moving forward in a changing environment
  • Fostering integration and teamwork
  • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
  • Promoting innovation and organizational learning

Remuneration

Remuneration will be at applicable fees as per the World Health Organization scale of Consultant at Band level B.

Place of assignment

The consultant will work remotely and will perform some activities in Brazzaville as determined by the Assistant Regional Director

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int