Consultancy - NCD management in emergencies

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

1. Purpose of consultancy

This consultancy aims to enhance the integration of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) interventions within emergency preparedness and response plans. Emphasizing seamless integration and effective management of NCDs in primary healthcare across stable and emergency settings, the goal is to reinforce healthcare systems' resilience, ensuring a robust response to NCDs during crises and promoting sustainable health outcomes across the region.

2. Background

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and disability worldwide. NCDs, which include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and cancers, have become a global problem accounting for more than 74% of the total global deaths. It disproportionately affects people in low- and middle-income countries, where more than three quarters of global NCD deaths (31.4 million) occur. The Eastern Mediterranean Region is facing a major burden of NCDs, which are responsible for the majority of deaths in most countries of the region. The prevalence of NCDs in EMR is high, with an estimated 66.5% of deaths attributed to NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. The Region reports one of the highest probabilities of premature mortality before the age of 70 which accounts for 24.5%.

The integration of NCD interventions within emergency preparedness and response plans is crucial for ensuring healthcare system resilience and sustainable health outcomes during crises. This requires seamless integration and effective management of NCDs in primary healthcare across stable and emergency settings. EMRO has recently developed a Regional Framework for Action (RFA) to support countries in their efforts to manage NCDs in crises, which received successful endorsement from Member States during the October Regional Committee (RC) meeting. This marks a significant advancement in enhancing regional resilience to emergencies, ensuring prioritized NCD care in challenging situations. The collective endorsement reflects Member States' commitment to actively address NCDs and safeguard population well-being during crises.

Planned timelines (subject to extension according to budget availability)

Start date: 15/02/2024

End date: 15/10/2024

3. Deliverables

The consultant is expected to do the following:

Output 1****: Guiding documents to support the implementation of the Regional Framework for Action (RFA) on the integration of NCDs in emergencies.

Deliverable 1.1: develop a manual/guiding document to facilitate the effective implementation of the RFA on integrating NCDs in emergency settings.

Output 2****: Provide technical expertise to comprehensive operational reviews for NCDs

assessment of existing response mechanisms, identification of strengths and weaknesses, and development a roadmap for future improvements in NCD management during crises.

Deliverable 2.1: Create NCDs operational review documents, including a concept note, interview guide, and workshop agenda for 2 countries

Deliverable 2.2: Produce the consultation workshop report for each country.

Output 3: Co-facilitate consultative meetings on the progress in implementing the Regional Framework for Action on NCDs in emergencies.

Deliverable 3.1: Develop the material for the progress monitoring of the RFA and facilitate the meeting.

Deliverable 3.2: Develop the consultation workshop report on the progress in implementing the Regional Framework for Action on NCDs in emergencies.

Output 4: Provide an insight of NCD integration in primary health care, in stable and emergency settings.

Deliverable 4.1: Generate reports on the implementation of WHO packages (PEN-HEARTS) in the region.

Deliverable 4.2: develop the list of core essential services for NCD services in emergency contexts and evaluate the NCD management programs.

Deliverable 4.3: document experiences from EMR countries in strengthening the integration and management of NCDs in Primary Health Care (PHC).

Deliverable 4.4: Submit the consultation workshop report on the NCD integration in primary health care

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

· Essential: Master’s degree in public health.

Experience

Essential: Minimum of 5 to 10-years’ experience in health system and non-communicable diseases.

Skills/Knowledge:

- Strong knowledge of EMR health system and NCDs context.

- Knowledge of emergency countries in EMR.

- Excellent communication and training skills.

Languages and level required :

English and Arabic languages (Read - Write - Speak / Expert level)

5. Location:

Remotely.

6. Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.)

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

7. Medical clearance

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

8. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

a. Remuneration: Band level “B”

b. Expected duration of contract : 8 months (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year):

The selected Consultant will work under the supervision of:

Responsible Officer:

Dr Hicham El Berri, Medical Officer, NCM

Manager:

Dr Asmus Hammerich, Director, UHC/NMH

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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

· WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

· 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.

· Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: <https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html>