Pacific EMT Consultant – Logistics Planning and Technical Support

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 a number of 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).

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.

In the Pacific, WHO provides support, funding and technical advice for national EMT development, and for requesting, accepting, receiving and coordinating international EMTs, when required. WHO is currently supporting EMT development in 12 Pacific countries and territories, including: the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

This five-month part-time consultancy will support national EMT development in the Pacific through planning, remote training, and provision of tailored technical support.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

• Start date:  ~15 February 2021
• End date: ~15 July 2021
• Total: 5 months, 0.25-0.5 FTE (candidates must note approximate availability in their application)

*Travel may be required should border/travel restrictions be lifted during the course of the consultancy.

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 logistics training 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. Logistics 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 EMT logistics and cache development/operations. 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.
  • Deliverable 4: Provide remote advice and technical support to national EMT focal points and team members, particularly in logistics, cache planning and deployment operational readiness. Ensure that all Pacific EMTs have cache inventories, as well as maintenance and rotation plans 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.

Technical Supervision:

• Responsible Officer:  Mr Sean Casey, Health Cluster Coordinator, PSC/DPS, email: caseys@who.int
• Manager: Dr Angela Merianos, Team Coordinator PSC/DPS, email : merianosa@who.int

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 first degree in humanitarian logistics, supply chain management, or a related field

Desirable:

A master’s degree in humanitarian logistics or a related field. Specialised training/certification in national/international health emergency response, health emergency logistics, emergency water/sanitation or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

At least 3-5 years’ relevant professional experience at national and international level, including in emergency management, and experience developing and/or deploying as part of an emergency medical team. 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.

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.

COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Place of Assignment

Remote work with possibility of travel during consultancy should border/travel restrictions be lifted.

Medical clearance

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

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 18 January 2021

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

Please use Tender Notice No. 120184 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted