Oncology Development Consultancy

Purpose of the Consultancy

The PNIPH is seeking to develop a national oncology strategy that defines strategic priorities and related interventions in oncology in OPt for the medium and long term, as well as a national oncology hospital master plan that allows improved planning and use of internal and external investments in hospital rehabilitation and expansion plans, in line with national cancer priorities and in coordination with overall national health care facility planning.

Moreover, the national oncology strategy offers a new strategic framework that will guide MOHs work and institutional transformations over the next coming years, with the aim to improve the availability, accessibility, quality, and efficiency of oncology services in oPt, as well as fill the gaps that have been mentioned as main findings of the Joint WHO/IARC cancer review mission report from 2019 and agreed upon through an inclusive and collaborative process led by the national cancer committee and involving other relevant national stakeholders active in cancer prevention and control.

Background

The Palestinian National Institute of Public Health (PNIPH) is one of the World Health Organization (WHO) projects in close cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) which has been working closely with stakeholders to strengthen the essential public health functions and the health system in Palestine through providing accurate, reliable data and evidence-based information.

Occupied Palestinian territory (OPt) has a significant burden of Non communicable diseases (NCDs) and an increasing cancer incidence. Currently, cancer is the second leading cause of death constituting 15.5 % of all deaths. According to the 2019 Ministry of Health (MOH) annual report, the reported number of new cancer cases in West Bank in 2019 was 3,164 cases with an incidence rate of 117.8 per 100,000 population. In 2019, breast cancer was the number one cancer type constituting 16.9% of all cancer cases. Colorectal cancer and lung cancer were reported as the second and the third most common cancers (12.6% and 7.2% of all reported cancers respectively).

Significant increase in the number of new cancer cases has been reported in the country. It is estimated that by the year 2040 the number of new cancer cases in OPt will be more than double the current number. The change in population dynamics (population growth, increased longevity) and improved detection facilities are the main contributors to the rising trend. However, important risk factors like smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity can also have a significant role to increase the cancer burden.

A steady increase in the number of cancer patients has also been reported in the Gaza Strip from 2011 to 2018. In 2011, the number of new cases detected was 1,037, with an incidence of 65.2 per 100,000 population. The corresponding figures for 2018 were 1,941 new cases and 97.9 per 100,000 population respectively.

The restriction on movement has serious implications on the cancer clinical pathway, management, and health outcome of patients within OPt, resulting in delay of diagnosis and treatment due to geographical barriers, complicated security procedures and the permit systems.

The PNIPH is working with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to assess and strengthen the current national health system across the levels of care including the oncology health services in Palestine as a tool for highlighting major gaps and opportunities for improvements, as well as improving the availability, accessibility, quality, and efficiency of oncology services in Palestine.

Scope of the consultancy

In light of the above, the Palestinian National Institute of Public Health (PNIPH) is seeking to engage a local consultant to support the development of the oncology strategy and the strategic framework.

The consultant will work closely with an international consultant and the , the Palestinian National Institute of Public Health (PNIPH) to provide technical and facilitation support for the development of the oncology strategy and the strategic framework in the West Bank following the below tasks:

• Review the oncology health services assessment report, addressing the gaps pertinent to oncology health services, suggesting scenarios to bridge these gaps to feed into the hospital master plan and oncology strategy in consultation with the international consultant;
• Draft agenda for an interactive workshop/dialogue to allow an inclussive and collaborative review of key sections of the draft startegy,inconsultation with the international consultant.
• Prepare and facilitate national workshops with engagement of established national cancer committee and other stakeholders, collect and document feedback and discuss the prepared document with international consultant;

• Develop an executive summary of the discussion held during the workshops and technical meetings. Identify roles & responsibilities of each stakeholder in the West Bank active in cancer prevention and control;

• facilitate the stakeholder’s discussion to gather and analyse key documentation and inputs from various sources and key actors;

• Prepare a consolidated and comprehensive feedback on the technical input and perspectives of the stakeholders with the international consultant and reflect the outcome of the discussion in the oncology strategy;
• Submit draft note presenting the outcomes of the consultations and the proposed outline of the strategic plan; strategy’s goals, key strategies, guiding principles and thematic priorities as well as core set of success indicators at least for the coming 5 years with realistic milestones;
• Submit raft version of implementation plan with timeframe for discussion with stakeholders, in coordination with international consultant

Deliverables:

• Prepare agenda for an interactive workshop / dialogue to allow an inclusve and collaborative review of key sections of the draft strategy.
• Prepare a consolidated and comprehensive feedback on the national workshops and discussions of the national cancer committee and other stakeholders;
• Prepare a draft document presenting the proposed outline of the strategic plan; strategy’s goals, key strategies, guiding principles and thematic priorities as well as core set of success indicators at least for the coming 5 years with realistic milestones;
• Submit draft version of implementation plan of the oncology strategy with timeframe for discussion with stakeholders;

Planned timelines

Start date: May10 2022

End date: December 26,, 2022

Specific requirements

- Qualifications required:

Education

Essential: University degree in Medicine

Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Public Health or health related field e.g. MPH or PhD

Experience required:

• 3- 5 years of working experience in Noncommunicable diseases, preferable in Cancer related field.
• Relative experience in public health and relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic and/organisational planning is an asset

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Excellent knowledge of cancer control continuum interventions
• Excellent knowledge of Palestinian health system

• Willingness/ability to freely move across the West Bank districts

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships through a diplomatic and inclusive approach.

• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills.
• Experience in developing, leading and documenting consultations.
• Ability to work independently and deliver on time.
• Excellent presentation, interpersonal and facilitation skills.

Language requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

  Place of assignment

Workplace will be WHO-country office in Ramallah/West Bank and from his home.

The local consultant will support and work directly with an international consultant assigned for the completion of this task.

Also the PNIPH team will support consultant with the assigned consultancy task and certain activities to facilitate the completion of the consultancy task.

Medical clearance

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

Additional Information section

• 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.
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