Emergency Medical Team Consultant Northern Pacific_ Training & Technical Support Coordination (multiple positions)

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).

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 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. EMTs help to ensure that uninterrupted life-saving healthcare is provided to patients affected by a disasters, outbreaks or other emergencies.

In the Pacific, WHO provides support, funding and technical advice for national EMT development. WHO also supports Member States to request, receive and coordinate international EMTs when required. WHO is currently supporting EMT development in 12 Pacific countries and areas, 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), Republic of Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

This 10-month consultancy will support national EMT development in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of Palau (ROP) through planning, coordination, training, monitoring/evaluation and provision of tailored technical support to their Ministries/Departments of Health. In light of the ongoing pandemic and EMTs’ potential deployment forCOVID-19response, the EMT Consultant will also contribute to strengthening COVID-19 clinical preparedness.

Planned Timelines:

• Start Date: ~01 June 2022
• End Date: ~ 31 March 2023
• Expected LOE: 10 months

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

To provide training and technical support to the Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) initiative in RMI, FSM and ROP 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 RMI, FSM and ROP:

• Output 1: RMI, FSM and ROP EMT Training Planning, Content Development and Delivery
  • Deliverable 1: In conjunction with relevant staff/consultants of WHO’s Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) and its Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS), adapt and develop localized training materials and content, based on existing EMT training materials (including COVID-19 related) used in the Pacific. Training packages must be developed with and for each of the target countries Ministries/Departments of Health through a consultative process.
  • Deliverable 2: Coordinate scheduling, planning, and delivery for ROP, RMI and FSM EMT orientation workshops and trainings. Serve as a training faculty member.
• Output 2: Remote Technical Support to EMTs
  • Deliverable 3: Support EMTs in developing and documenting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and associated tools/reference materials. 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 the targeted countries. Ensure that all teams have technically appropriate clinical protocols in place.
  • Deliverable 4: Provide remote advice and technical support to EMTs 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 relevant WPRO/DPS colleagues, with Ministry of Health counterparts, and with other key partners/stakeholders.

Technical Supervision:

The selected consultant will work on the supervision of:

Manager/Responsible Officer: Mr Sean Casey, Health Emergency Officer, WPRO

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  An undergraduate public health, medical, nursing or paramedic degree, with relevant post-graduate qualification.

Desirable: Specialized 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 services and management/coordination of EMTs or similar response teams in emergencies. Must have demonstrated experience in developing and delivering training workshops for emergency management and/or health response. Must have international health emergency response experience.

Desirable: Experience or good understanding of the Inter Agency Standing Committee/United Nations 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. Demonstrable progressive responsibilities in managing or coordinating programmes or projects.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Excellent communication skills, including public speaking and 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

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English

Desirable: Knowledge of other UN Languages

COMPETENCIES

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

PLACE OF ASSIGNMENT

Palau, RMI, FSM

APPLICATIONS

Qualified candidates meeting all essential requirements should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 13 May 2022.

The cover letter must outline how the candidate’s experience and qualifications meet or exceed all of the essential qualifications noted, above must include the proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 173290 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

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 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 final candidates.