National consultant - under Emergency and operations/WCO TUN

Purpose of consultancy

The aim of this consultancy is to provide technical support to Tunisia to assess and improve the performance of Emergency units of selected district hospitals, as an important component of the emergency care system in Tunisia.

Background

Emergency care addresses a wide range of medical, surgical, and obstetric conditions, including injury, complications of pregnancy, exacerbations of non-communicable diseases (e.g., heart attacks, strokes), and acute infections (e.g., sepsis, malaria). Emergency care is a critical component of universal health care, and with sound planning and organization, it has the potential to address conditions causing over half of deaths and a third of disability incurred annually in low- and middle-income countries. Emergency units are often the first point of contact with the healthcare system, particularly in areas where barriers to care exist.

In many health systems, hospital-based emergency care services are limited, ineffective or non-existent. A strategic assessment of emergency care capacity at healthcare facilities is among the first steps in the planning process. In order to meet this objective, WHO has developed a tool known as Hospital Emergency Units Assessment Tools (HEAT) to evaluate the structure and key functions of emergency units of health facilities (hospitals). This tool was derived from the evidence-based literature as well as inputs from a diversity of stakeholders. It can be used at an individual facility or across a group of facilities region- or country-wide. Findings can be used to identify gaps and target interventions at both individual facilities and across the healthcare system more broadly; in addition, periodic assessments may also be useful for monitoring capacity over time.

Improving the emergency care system and provision is a paramount objective for the Tunisian Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the WHO Country Office and with support from WHO EMRO and WHO HQ, aims to assess the emergency units of selected Regional Hospitals in different governorates in Tunisia.

Considering mentioned above, in order to support the Tunisian Ministry of Health, it is planned to recruit a consultant to deliver the below tasks.

Deliverables

Output 1****: Contribute to the assessment of the Emergency units of selected district hospitals using WHO assessment tool (HEAT)

Deliverable 1.1: Brief and train hospital focal points/stakeholders regarding the application of the HEAT and technically support them to conduct EU self-assessments, including field visits.

Deliverable 1.2: Collect, analyze, interpret and present the results of the EU self-assessments at the facility and regional levels showing the strengths and gaps and identify priorities and obtain MOH’s endorsement of the results.

Deliverable 1.3: Draft the report on the assessment of EUs using the pre-defined template showing strengths and gaps and draft a peer-reviewed article regarding the easement processes and outcomes.

Output 2****: Contribute to the development of the time-bound action plan based on the identified gaps of the EU assessments at the facility and regional levels.

Deliverable 2.1: Meetings with relevant stakeholders to discuss identified action priorities and draft the action plan including the required resources to implement the proposed action plan.

Deliverable 2.2: present and validate the time-bound action plan and provide technical support for its endorsement by MOH.

Deliverable 2.3: Draft the comprehensive report on the development of the action plan.

Output 3****: Develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for overseeing the action plan's execution and achievement of the proposed goals and targets.

Deliverable 3.1: Draft the monitoring and evaluation criteria including the relevant indicators to support MOH in the assessment of the implementation level of action plan.

Deliverable 3.2: Train hospital focal points on how to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the action plan.

Deliverable 3.3: Draft the final report of the project.

Education

Essential: Medical degree with postgraduate specialization in emergency medicine

Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in public health, health management, or a field related to emergency care systems or hospitals

Experience

Essential: * Minimum 5 years of experience working in the areas of: emergency and trauma care.

* Minimum 5 years administrative and clinical experience in emergency units.

Desirable: Experience in data analysis and project management

Skills/Knowledge

§ Extensive knowledge of clinical emergency and trauma care

§ Extensive knowledge of hospital structure and systems

§ Experience in data management and analysis

§ Experience in strategic/action planning in health-related areas

§ Proven organizational and analytical skills, together with excellent interpersonal skills

§ Strong oral and written communication skills

§ Ability to liaise with clinical national partners

§ Ability to work with partners effectively as part of a team

§ Proficiency in MS Office software applications

Languages

Essential Expert knowledge of French and English

Location

Tunisia

Unit:

WHO Country Office Tunisia

Department:

Emergency and operations

Travel

The consultant is supposed to travel to different regions to support EU assessment.

Medical clearance

A signed and stamped medical certificate is to be provided.

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

· Remuneration: at NO-C grade

· Expected duration of the contract: 50 days - starting from 02/10/2023 until 21/12/2023

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: Enhanced WHO global competency model

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online 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.

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 an 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 is committed to putting 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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.