International Consultant – Health Cluster Strategic Preparedness, Planning and Partner Response

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Area of expertise:

International Consultant - Health cluster Strategic Preparedness, planning and partner response

Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide specialized technical and strategic support to the oPt Health Cluster in strengthening health sector analysis, planning, preparedness, monitoring, and response activities in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). The consultant will contribute technical expertise to the development of health needs assessments, strategic planning documents, operational response plans, monitoring frameworks, and resource mobilization products for Gaza and the West Bank. The consultancy will support evidence generation, stakeholder consultations, data analysis, and the preparation of technical guidance and reports to inform humanitarian health programming, with particular attention to vulnerable and marginalized populations. Working under the guidance of National Health Cluster Coordinator, the consultant will support the implementation of WHO's commitments within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) framework and the cluster approach by providing technical inputs and analytical support to health sector planning and response processes. The consultancy will contribute to strengthening the technical quality and coherence of health sector strategies, assessments, monitoring, reporting, and preparedness activities involving health sector partners in the oPt.

Background:

The oPt Health Cluster team operates an environment that requires high standards of accountability and demonstrable technical expertise, leadership, coordination, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, and in which the principles of partnership, collaboration and collective results are essential.

The pace, scale, and scope of the humanitarian health responses in Gaza is distinct due to the nature of the conflict including constant escalation of hostilities that began after the events of 7 October 2023. With the current and hoped continued ceasefire, the humanitarian response is shifting to the frequent changes to the context and needs faced by the population. The health situation and response remains dynamic and with continued physical barriers to accessing health care, shortages of medical supplies, equipment, fuel, extremely weather and flooding. In the West Bank, the humanitarian needs are increasing with increased violence and barriers to health care that is resulting in higher numbers of the population requiring humanitarian health Reponses. Health Cluster coordination remains at the forefront of the humanitarian health response, in both Gaza and the West Bank coordinating over 100 partners in Gaza.

Given the unique complexities Gaza it remains imperative to have strong technical and strategic planning support the Health Cluster Team and implementing partners, under the oversight from the national level Health Cluster Coordinator.

Deliverables:

The deliverables of the consultancy include

Output 1: Provision of technical expertise and development of a Health Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis Report for Gaza and the West Bank, including analysis of humanitarian health needs, partner response capacity, and recommendations for the 2027 planning cycle. To be delivered by 31 October 2026.

Output 2: Development of a 2027 Health Cluster People in Need (PiN) and Targeting Methodology and Results Package, including consultation outcomes, analytical framework, and finalized PiN and target figures for Gaza and the West Bank. To be delivered by 30 November 2026.

Output 3: Development of the Health Cluster Component of the 2027 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) for Gaza and the West Bank, including sector objectives, activities, indicators, and response strategy developed through partner consultations. To be delivered by 30 November 2026.

Output 4: Development of Health Sector Contingency and Response Planning Packages for Gaza and the West Bank, including scenario-based response plans and operational recommendations for changing humanitarian conditions. To be delivered by 31 December 2026.

Output 5: Development of an Integrated Gaza, West Bank and National Health Cluster Team Operational Work Plan (2027), including strategic priorities, implementation milestones, and coordination mechanisms. To be delivered by 31 December 2026.

Output 6: Production of a Health Cluster Partner Planning and Coordination Package, including records of consultation meetings, assessment inputs, planning guidance, and consolidated partner contributions supporting humanitarian planning and reporting processes. To be delivered by 31 December 2026.

Output 7: Development of an Indicator-Based Health Cluster Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the occupied Palestinian territory, including indicators, reporting tools, monitoring methodology, and data collection guidance. To be delivered by 31 December 2026.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages:

Educational Qualifications:

Essential

An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in public health, medicine, international health, management or social sciences or related field.

Desirable

Specialized training in emergency management, international aid, humanitarian principles, health system recovery, and health cluster coordination.

Experience:

Essential

At least seven years of relevant experience at national and international level, in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships in emergency and humanitarian relief operations, including experience in managing and coordinating health programs in chronic and acute, sudden‑onset emergencies.

Desirable

Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, health cluster partners, relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.

Skills/Knowledge:

Demonstrated knowledge of the rapid response operations and their implementation in emergencies as related to public health, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations, to lead and direct multidisciplinary and multinational staff.

In-depth knowledge of emergency relief policies and practices within the UN, other UN specialized agencies, donor agencies, national and international NGOs.

Sound knowledge and experience about disaster prevention and preparedness programmes and the incident management system.

Excellent negotiation skills and ability to convene stakeholders and facilitate a policy process among UN, NGOs, national health authorities and donors.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

• Excellent knowledge of English.
• Working knowledge of another UN official language would be an asset.

Location:

Off site: Home based with travel to Gaza, Jerusalem and West Bank oPt. To be available during working hours of oPt time zone.

When on duty travel, accommodation in a WHO approved hotel

Travel:
It is anticipated that the consultant will travel 2 times to oPt to work directly with health cluster team, partners and stakeholders on the deliverables of the consultancy.

Late September / early October 2026. Travel to Jerusalem and West Bank

To meet with health cluster with partners and hold the health Humanitarian Needs Overview planning workshop

November / early December Travel to Jerusalem and West Bank Gaza, potentially Gaza to meet with health partners and stakeholders to define the 2027 operational plans.

Final dates to be determined in consultation amongst the hiring officer.

Travel expenses and per diem to be provided by WHO. Travel to Jerusalem (West Bank) and Gaza to be determined in consultation with the hiring manager to implement in person planning meetings with the Health Cluster Team, Strategic Advisory Group,

Technical Working Groups and Health Cluster partners in the West Bank and Gaza.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Band B- monthly rate 9980 USD -Work schedule : 100%

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract

(Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year):

11 months at 100%

Additional Information

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