Consultancy - to support the Syrian Ministry of Health in developing a national hospital sector strategy

Contract

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

1. Background & Purpose of consultancy

The main purpose of this consultancy is to support the Syrian Ministry of Health in developing a national hospital sector strategy by recruiting an international consultant, in the context of the country’s short and mid-term aspirations using the regional framework for action for hospital sector strategy recovery. This is founded on national health priorities, current and foreseen capacities, and resources.

Hospitals are essential actors in achieving universal health coverage and contribute to implementing the vision for primary health care. In 2019, during the 66th session of the Regional Committee, Member States adopted resolution EM/RC66/R.4 on introducing the regional framework for action for the hospital sector in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The resolution called on Member States to: ensure political commitment to planning and implementation of people-cantered hospitals; develop/update a national hospital sector strategy using the regional framework for action; and monitor and evaluate hospital sector performance and progress in implementing the national strategy. It further requested the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean to provide technical support to Member States to build capacity for the development and implementation of a national hospital sector strategy, and to assist Member States in enhancing management capacities in the hospital sector.

Prior to the war, Syria had a well-established healthcare system for both curative and preventive services, with comprehensive coverage of the population. The Syrian health care system is dominated by the public health sector with the Ministry of Health (MOH) providing primary, secondary, tertiary and public health services through a relatively large network of health facilities. Other ministries also provide health care services in their hospitals. Poor infrastructure, a lack of consistent power supply, and poor WASH conditions in healthcare facilities have hampered the health system’s functionality, including access to quality, integrated primary and secondary health services. In the second quarter of 2023, 43 per cent of public hospitals were either not functioning or partially functioning, while 44 per cent of primary health care facilities were either partially functioning or not functioning at all. Private sector is a major provider of secondary care in the country. There are major gaps in the quantity and quality of health care workers, with an estimated one half of health care workers having left the country driven by displacement and low salaries. Sanctions on the country has resulted in major impact on hospital functionality.

The development of a national hospital sector strategy is an important step towards addressing the challenges faced by the hospital sector in Syria. To address these gaps the Ministry of Health has requested the WHO’s technical support to develop the hospital sector strategy. EMRO has committed to support the country in developing and implementing the national hospital sector strategy in the context of the regional framework for action for the hospital sector. International consultant with required expertise will be recruited to support the development of the strategy and the TORs with timeframe and expected deliverables (outputs) are described below.

2. Deliverables

The consultant is expected to do the following:

Objective: To develop the national hospital sector strategy in Syria along with the implementation plan with a focus on prioritized entry points.

Output 1: Conduct a desk review, draft the methodology, formulate the team, and develop the hospital sector development roadmap led by the Ministry of Health with WHO.

Output 2: Conduct a two-day introductory workshop introducing the regional framework for action for hospital sector highlighting the role of hospitals in health systems.

Output 3: Conduct a thorough information gathering exercise of the major documents, organize a series of meeting(s) with relevant stakeholders, conduct selected senior key informants’ interviews and a number of field visits to the key hospitals of various categories, and then draft a detailed situation analysis and get consensus on the main challenges, gaps, and priorities.

Output 4: Develop the hospital sector strategy (road map), aligned with national health plan and existing national strategies, including PHC strategy, in the context of the regional framework, through a fully participatory approach with adequate involvement of all stakeholders throughout the process.

Output 4: Conduct a national validation workshop/conference for all health sector and hospitals stakeholders and donor community to present the strategy, collect feedback and valid recommendations, reach consensus on selected strategic interventions as entry points, and finalize and submit the hospital sector strategy for Ministerial approval and implementation.

Output 5: Develop an implementation plan of the national hospital sector strategy including M&E framework.

Output 6: Finally, submit a full report (in English and Arabic)

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation):

Start date: 15/March/2024

End date: 15/July/2024

Total duration: 60 days over a period of 4 months.

5. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Master’s degree in health services management or hospital management, public health, or any relevant field.

Experience

At least 5 years of professional experience in health (hospital) management or related field with experience in conducting similar activities related to strategic planning. International experience is mandatory.

Previous experience in liaising with Ministry of Health and governmental, UN and civil society stakeholders is advantageous.

Skills/Knowledge:

· Demonstrate excellent skills in guiding the process of the development of the strategy.

· Ability to deliver high-quality products in a timely manner.

Languages and level required :

· Excellent knowledge of English & Arabic.

6. Location

On site with blended modalities (remote and within the country).

7. Travel

   The Consultant is expected to travel to Syria three times. The dates to be agreed with the Ministry. Total in country stay will be around 15 days excluding travel days.

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.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

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

a. Remuneration: Payband level – B high end of range

b. Expected duration of contract: 60 days over a period of 4 months.

(Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year)

9. Medical clearance

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

The selected Consultant will work under the supervision of:

Responsible Officer:

Dr Hyam Bashour, Health Systems Officer

Manager:

Dr Iman SHANKITI, HWCO Syria

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>