Background
As Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) designated Cluster Lead Agency, the World Health Organization (WHO) hosts the Global Health Cluster (GHC) within the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE). Global Health Cluster agencies work collectively, in support of national authorities, to provide timely, effective and appropriate actions to minimize the health impacts of humanitarian and public health emergencies through strengthening of service delivery, addressing gaps, and promoting effective leadership. Currently there are approximately 900 Health Cluster partners (of which 59 are at global level) across 31 Health Clusters, targeting the health needs of 84.7million people.
Global Health Cluster Unit
Within WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, the Global Health Cluster (GHC) unit leads, coordinates and monitors the work of the Global Health Cluster and coordinates its work with other partner agencies, WHO Departments and Regional Offices. The GHC unit contributes to the effectiveness and quality of Country Health Cluster performance by promoting predictable response and collective action by GHC partners in accordance with IASC and health sector related policies and good practice. This work is guided by the GHC Strategy 2020-2023.
The COVID19 pandemic presents an unprecedented threat to global public health and socio-economic stability particularly in countries affected by humanitarian crises where health systems are weak and large numbers of vulnerable people live in sub-optimal conditions which may accelerate COVID19 transmission. In response, the Global Health Cluster has scaled-up its country coordination support to provide context appropriate technical and operational guidance to effectively implement the COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP 2021) as an integral component of the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plans both to mitigate the direct impact of COVID19 but to also maintain the provision of existing humanitarian action, including essential health services.
The GHC COVID19 Task Team was established in May 2020 to lead this work within the context of its Terms of Reference and overall objectives including: (1) collate country-level technical, operational and coordination challenges; (2) promote and support adaptation and use of COVID19 guidance for low capacity and humanitarian settings; (3) support multi-sectoral action (4) capture and share lessons learned, good practices; and (5) advocacy to address unmet needs/ operational barriers.
Purpose of the consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to support the work of the Global Health Cluster COVID-19 Task Team to strengthen the coordination and effectiveness of Health Cluster preparedness and response through harmonized efforts to identify and promote minimum standard, practical solutions to technical and operational challenges to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 amongst vulnerable populations affected by humanitarian crises.
Specific objectives of consultancy
Under the supervision of the Global Health Cluster Focal Point for the GHC COVID-19 Task Team the consultant will work in close collaboration with GHC Unit, GHC COVID 19 Task Team, and other external subject matter experts to undertake the following activities:
- Oversee the development of two lessons learned studies to be implemented by providers
- Selection and hiring of provider, completion of inception phase (finalising methodology) and initiation of data collations
- Supporting the formation of steering groups for each study to contribute and input into study roll out
- Provide technical input and support to remaining studies being implemented by providers
2. Conduct expert led thematic webinars on key areas of COVID-19 response as identified by health clusters to strengthen peer to peer / cluster to cluster learning
- Using findings from already implemented survey develop series of thematic webinars for country level health clusters
- Coordinate and engage with experts to lead webinars
- Write brief summary report of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) emerging from each thematic webinar to be made available on GHC COVID-19 webpage
- Quality check and review reports and live dashboard tracking COVID-19 vaccination in humanitarian settings generated by GHC COVID-19 Task Team Information Management Officer.
- Support in the collation of primary and secondary information from health clusters or partners where needed.
- Support regular reviews with health clusters and GHC COVID-19 Task Team members to determine any gaps in guidance, key messages and advocacy messages that need developing
- Contribute or lead in the development of any tools, advocacy, key messages as needed
- Assist task team meetings, contribute to report writing e.g. for GHC Strategic Advisory Group etc.
- Contribute and present internal briefing materials e.g. to senior leadership and public facing reports as needed
Expected Deliverables
- Two lesson learning studies initiated, with steering groups established, inception phase completed, and data collation started
- Minimum 2 expert led thematic webinars conducted with accompanying FAQs produced
- Information to be published on live dashboard tracking vaccination in humanitarian settings reviewed and quality checked
- Report tracking COVID-19 vaccination in humanitarian settings produced, quality checked and disseminated every two weeks
- Key messages, tools, advocacy documents developed with key stakeholders for use at country level as needed
- Information and briefing materials produced
Timetable
The timeline of these Terms of Reference is 13 September 2021 to mid-March 2022 . Any adjustment of this arrangement or establishment of a new agreement with different responsibilities and/or administrative arrangements, may be sought beyond the above period by WHO depending on performance and evolution of the Global Health Cluster program of work, in prior agreement with the Global Health Cluster Coordinator.
Person specification
Essential:
- Advanced university degree in public health.
- At least 7 years’ experience in public health response in humanitarian settings.
- Knowledge of IASC protocols and guidelines, tools and policies and current COVID-19 guidance.
- Previous experience of the cluster approach & demonstrated understanding of the health cluster at global and country level.
- Proven experience of managing or conducting qualitative research studies or evaluations.
- Proven experience in writing guidance, tools and medical protocols or advocacy messages for individual agency or public.
- Experience of working collaboratively with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
- Fluent English
Desirable:
- Medical or nursing degree.
- Training in disaster management.
- Experience with WHO, UN Agencies or NGOs.
- Arabic, French or Spanish language skills.
Budget
The costs for the work include a monthly payment to the consultant and will be dependent upon experience and agreed by the GHC Coordinator.
Administrative support
Support for the consultancy will be provided by the GHC Unit based in WHO Geneva.
Place of assignment
This is a home-based consultancy.
Travel
Travel is not anticipated within the scope of this ToR.
Medical clearance
The selected consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
Application process
To apply please send the following
by 8 August 2021 to healthcluster@who.int
- letter of interest, highlighting examples of successful undertaking of similar work
- curriculum vitae