Consultancy - Maternal &Child Health

Area of expertise

To support the process of conducting review of Iraq National School

Purpose of consultancy

The main purpose of this consultancy is to support the process of conducting review of Iraq National School Health Strategy 2018-2022 including the achievements, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges, in addition to conducting in depth analysis for current school health services and policies including needs assessment to facilitate the development of new National School Health Strategy 2023-2030 in Iraq. WHO is recruiting an international short-term consultant to work closely with WHO MNCAH Program to review the existing technical materials and available information and, engage in consultation interviews with relevant stakeholders to develop a final review report for the current school health strategy in addition to situation analysis report against all the six blocks of health system taking into consideration the social determinants of health.

The framework should include landscaping and prioritization to pave the way for developing a new national School Health strategy for Iraq.

Background

Because schools materially influence both health and education, they substantially determine the future well-being and economic productivity of populations. Recent research suggests that healthier children learn better and that more educated adults are healthier. School health is a cross-disciplinary field of study and a fundamental strategy that can be used to improve both health and education outcomes.

The most important SDG for school health activities is SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. School health activities not only support the sustainable development goals for health (SDG 3) and education (SDG 4), but also SDG 2 (reducing hunger), SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). School health programs represent a great investment.

Research has demonstrated that school health activities promote equitable access to, and participation in, quality education through activities such as deworming (providing medicine to fight intestinal worms, which can cause anemia, stunting, lethargy, impaired cognitive development, poor short-term memory, and increased absenteeism), micronutrient administration, school meals, provision of water and sanitation facilities.

Building on the lessons of the Millennium Development Goals, the SDGs work along a similar path of development objectives, as well as encourage new strategies for long term sustainable development by linking activities across sectors. Educators working in school health see synergistic collaboration across many sectors.

The importance of providing school health services in Iraq is based on the fact that school students represent about 26%4 of the total population, and they are in an age characterized by growth, development and maturity, during which a lot of physical, mental and social changes, and they are mostly facing infectious diseases, traumas and accidents.

Despite the present efforts of Ministries of Health, Education and Higher Education, and the existence of political will and inter-ministerial cooperation, still students and entire school community are facing some challenges which make it more important to develop a national school health strategy in which all related stakeholders are participated in.

Work to be performed

The international consultant will work closely with WHO MNCAH Program to review the existing technical materials and available information and, engage in consultation interviews with relevant stakeholders to develop a final review report for the current school health strategy 2018-2022 in addition to school health analysis report against all the six blocks of health system taking into consideration the impact of social determinants of health on the service delivery and utilization. Over the defined period, the consultant is required to:

• Review the current National School Health Strategy 2018-2022.
• Identify achievements, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges
• Develop School Health Strategy 2018-2022 review report.
• Conduct desk review of all relevant technical materials.
• Conduct in depth analysis for the situation of school health including needs assessment.
• Engage in virtual and Face to face consultation interviews with relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate a national workshop for building consensus and validation of the school health strategy review and situation analysis with all relevant parties.
• Incorporate any feedback received from the Ministry, WHO (CO&RO) and other stakeholders.

Deliverables:

First Deliverable: Final draft of review report for the current school health strategy 2018-2022

• Submit reviewed report and incorporate any feedback received from Ministry, WHO and other stakeholders.

Second Deliverable: Final draft report for school health situation analysis and needs assessment

• Submit reviewed report and incorporate any feedback received from Ministry, WHO and other stakeholders.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: A Master’s Degree in Public Health or Medicine.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in the field of school health program management and service delivery.
• 5 years or more experience in the field of program/project &/or strategy monitoring & evaluation.
• 5 years or more experience in conducting research.
• International experience is mandatory.
• Experience or consultancy work with UN, INGOs, government entities would be an asset.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Strong evidence of teamwork and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated technical writing ability and good analytic skills.
• Ability to use the relevant Microsoft office programmes namely Word, Excel.

Languages

Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking both Arabic &English is required

Location

The assignment will be carried out locally (local assignment) in addition to travel mission to Iraq

Remuneration and Expected duration of contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year)

1. Remuneration: at Band level “B”
2. Expected duration of contract: 20 days within this period: Start date: 1/11/2022- End date: 20/12/2022

Payment will follow the WHO approved consultancy rates for international consultants for a total of 20 working days spread over 50 calendar days including 7 days travel mission to Iraq.

Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Hiring Unit

WHO Country Office Iraq

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Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel to the country of assignment (Iraq), no in-country travel required.

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=

• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:

  (a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated; (b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided; (c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time