National Consultant - Health service Delivery, SRMNCH

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1. Area of expertise : National Consultant - Health service Delivery, SRMNCH

2. Purpose of consultancy :

WHO is seeking to hire a consultant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the availability, continuity, accessibility and quality of SRMNCH services in West Bank. The consultant will provide actionable recommendations for improving service delivery, procurement, and infrastructure to ensure effective SRMNCH service provision. The work is complementary to SRMNCH assessment activities undertaken by UNICEF and UNFPA in West Bank.

3.Background:

Emergencies disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable communities, particularly women and children. 60% of women's fatalities and diseases that could have been avoided occurred in humanitarian situations following natural disasters and forced displacement, as well as a possible lack of food and water, which can lead to congenital anomalies and pregnancy complications (1) (2). The West Bank's health system is struggling to provide basic care to non-trauma patients, including children and pregnant women, particularly in light of the displacement of 40,000 people, which presents a significant challenge. There are 75,000 pregnant women in the West Bank; 22.2% are high-risk pregnancies, and many face critical health risks as a result of movement restrictions and checkpoint closures, which limit access to SRMNCH services (3). Ongoing security problems have made it more difficult to access health care in general and Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (SRMNCH) services. Checkpoints and frequent closures make it difficult for patients and healthcare workers to reach hospitals and Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs). Violence has had a direct impact on health facilities, with reports of ambulances being denied access, infrastructure being damaged, and medical teams being blocked. According to the Ministry of Health (MoH), 68% of health service points in the West Bank are partially operational and cannot open for more than two or three days per week, while hospitals are only operating at 70% capacity (4). Referring to important patients on time is difficult, particularly for those from rural areas and Area C, which covers more than half of the West Bank (5). This puts patients' outcomes at risk. The growing demand for trauma care is making it more difficult for health facilities to provide regular and preventive services, such as pediatric care for children under five and prenatal, postnatal, and family planning care for women of childbearing age. About 40-45% of the items on the Essential Medicines List (EML) are frequently out of stock. This demonstrates that there are still insufficient supplies of these important medications, a pattern that can be seen throughout the oPt. Critical supply shortages have the potential to disrupt laboratory services. Some central and regional labs say they have less than a month's supply. Restrictions on the flow of humanitarian aid and goods exacerbate these problems by delaying the delivery of vaccines, medical supplies, and equipment.

4. Deliverables :

1.1. Inception Report: Due within two weeks of starting the assignment.

• Overview of the consultant’s understanding of the assignment.
• Methodology, work plan, and timeline for the assessment.
• Key stakeholders to engage and data collection tools to be used.
• Data Collection Tools: Including surveys, interview guides, and any other relevant instruments used for data collection.

1.2. Combined Assessment Report: Due within eight weeks of starting the assignment.

• Combined report on the availability, accessibility, and readiness of SRMNCH services at community, primary, and secondary healthcare levels.
• Identify gaps in service Delivery, healthcare staffing, equipment, medicines, and supplies and heath information system.
• Geographic mapping and identification of areas most affected by conflict barriers.
• Comparison of current service with pre-conflict data for the affected Northern governorates I Westbank.
• Short-term and long-term recommendations for improving SRMNCH service Delivery, staffing, and supplies.
• Budgeted needs assessment for improving SRMNCH services, infrastructure, procurement systems, and health information systems.

1.3. Presentation of Findings and Recommendations after two weeks of submission of the final report.

• A PowerPoint or similar presentation summarizing key findings and recommendations.
• Should be tailored for key decision-makers, stakeholders, and partners.
• This will be used during a final debrief or stakeholder meeting.

5.Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Advanced degree in Public Health, Health Systems, or a related field

Experience

Essential: Minimum of 10 years of experience in SRMNCH programming

Languages:

• Proficiency in English and Arabic

6.Location

(Please specify where the consultant is expected to work)

On site: West Bank , Occupied Palestinian Territory

7. Remuneration and budget (Travel cost not included):

• a. Remuneration: NOD monthly payment range 21,806 ILS- 29,387 ILS
• b. Living expenses: N/A
• c. Expected duration of contract 3 months

8. 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 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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• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
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• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
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• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
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