BACKGROUND

The Pacific frequently faces outbreaks and natural disasters. Public health threats are inevitable, and the complexity and scale of these events may increase in the future as a result of the complex interaction of several factors, such as demographic shifts, climate change, technological developments and economic uncertainty.Addressing these challenges requires continued investment in preparedness and readiness before and between events.Member States, WHO and partners have been working together to strengthen country and regional systems and capacities for all-hazards emergency preparedness and response, including through implementation of the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III), and the Western Pacific Regional Framework for Action for Disaster Risk Management for Health (DRM-H Framework).

The mission of WHO Health Emergencies Program (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member states to manage emergency risks, and when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.WHE brings together and enhances WHO’s operational, technical and normative capacity in emergencies and to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner.It is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, and to ensure that such efforts strengthen local and national capabilities.

A core function of WHE is operational readiness of countries and of WHO’s offices for response.This includes having leadership and coordination structures pre-identified, information products developed, technical guidance and templates available, stocks of supplies and logistic capacities in place, trained and deployable staff identified, and strong national and international Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) in place.EMTs are an important part of the national capacity to respond to emergencies, as well as an integral part of the global health emergency workforce, ensuring uninterrupted life-saving healthcare is provided to patients affected by a disaster, outbreak or other types of emergency.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

To provide training and technical support to the Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) initiative in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICs), including planning, training, monitoring and evaluation, and facilitation of technical support.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The consultant will support the following outputs in support of Pacific EMT development:

• Output 1: Pacific EMT Training Planning, Content Development & Delivery
  • Deliverable 1: Develop/draft/refine clinical/technical content for the Pacific national EMT orientation and training packages, including contributing to learning outcomes, faculty/mentor guide sheets, and training content (including slide decks, activity guides, pre-/post-tests and reference materials). Training packages must be developed with and for Pacific Ministries of Health and teams through a consultative process and be adaptable to different Pacific contexts. Technical/clinical training content must be adapted to remote delivery.
  • Deliverable 2: Serve as faculty in national EMT training workshops (remote).

• Output 2: Remote Technical Support to Pacific EMTs
  • Deliverable 3: Support Pacific EMTs in developing and documenting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and associated tools/reference materials, with a focus on clinical/technical content. SOPs should align with global and national standards and best practices, and should reference global minimum EMT standards, with appropriate adaptation for national teams in small Pacific countries/territories. Ensure that all Pacific teams have technically appropriate clinical protocols in place.
  • Deliverable 4: Provide remote advice and technical support to national EMT focal points and team members, particularly in human resource planning, training and medical cache planning. Ensure that national EMTs have appropriate medical cache in place.
• Output 3: Pacific EMT Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
  • Deliverable 5: Contribute to regular reports on the Pacific EMT initiative, including both internal reports and donor reports.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Work will consist of desk research, EMT training content development and documentation, training/workshop planning and facilitation, planning meetings, supporting and participating in meetings with key stakeholders (including national EMT focal points), writing/reviewing/editing plans and supporting documents, activity monitoring and reporting, and facilitating exercises/drills.All work must be closely coordinated with the WHO Pacific Health Security team in the Division of Pacific Technical Support, with Ministry of Health counterparts, and with other key partners/stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  A medical or nursing degree, with a specialization in emergency medicine.

Desirable: Specialised training/certification in national/international health emergency response.

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

At least 7 years’ relevant professional experience at national and international level, including in emergency medicine, and experience developing and/or leading deployment of Emergency Medical Teams. Must have demonstrated experience in developing and delivering training for health emergency response.  

Desirable:

Experience or good understanding of the IASC/UN emergency response system, WHO, ICRC, IFRC, MSF or national emergency response systems. Experience working in national health or emergency management systems. Experience in capacity strengthening of national and international rapid response teams.

Experience working in the Pacific region

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Excellent communication skills and proven writing skills in English
• • Capacity to collaborate and coordinate across multiple agencies
• • Ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environments
• • Strong organizational skills
• • Strong presentation and public speaking skills

LANGUAGES

Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English is essential

COMPETENCIES

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Duration of contract: 11 months starting February 2021

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < [email protected] > by 26 November 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 154866 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.