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Qualifications

1.    Purpose of the Consultancy

The main objective of the consultancy is to advise the regional office on developing and enhancing WHOs positioning and value proposition for partnering with MDBs/IFIs to support the resource mobilization process in the EMR.

2.    Background

The WHO has been increasingly working with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and International Financing Institutions (IFIs) in operational partnerships, supporting countries to address their health needs especially in fragile and conflict-affected settings in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, where WHO supports countries/governments such as Yemen, Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, etc. to plan, implement and deliver health services, strengthening health systems and build national capacities, contributing to human capital. This witnessed a significant increase during the COVID19 pandemic.

By working in partnerships at the regional and country levels, MDBs/IFIs and WHO better leverage resources (both technical and financial) for improved health outcomes and achievement of the SDGs, enhance policy dialogue and information sharing and knowledge management, and more efficient and effective joint implementation.
With EMR witnessing a high level of fragile, conflict and vulnerable countries (around 54% fragile countries), the role of the WCOs in the EMR is beyond normative and technical assistance in nature. In a number of these WCOs there is a need       to systematically engage and strengthen partnerships especially with IFIs, develop a value proposition for this purpose, and support capacities to do so.
In addition, the emerging changes in both needs, socio-economic and political environment and the fiscal space in many countries, there is a need to reorient leadership and staff, adapt engagements and partnerships to enable WHO to support the health of the populations and members states it serves.

3.    Objective:

The objective of this consultancy is to enhance WHO’s positioning  dialogue with the key MDBs/IFIs and develop a value proposition for partnering with IFIs and further pursual of collaboration and partnership opportunities.

4.    Planned Timeline:
2 months of time input within 6 months period  (10 working days/month) from the start date
Start date: Proposed 1st September 2023
End date: February 28, 2024

5.    Work to be Performed:

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

1-    Develop content for a customized guidance on organization-wide approach for WHO working with MDBs/IFIs with focus on fragile contexts (building on the working with WB group in fragile and conflict affected situations – a resource note for UN staff, 2015, section VI: structuring and financing collaboration on projects and programmes). It does not include editorial functions of producing the final document in a paper or online version. The consultant will work closely with EMRO communications team that is responsible for the final product.
2-    Develop WHOs value added proposition as a lead agency for health working with MDBs/IFIs, building on WHO’s mandate and principles, technical expertise (including humanitarian and emergency response, universal health coverage, health systems strengthening, data and digital health etc.), operational presence and project management capacities to plan, implement, monitor/valuate and deliver timely, results oriented and high-quality projects. This should demonstrate the potential for gain by IFIs, governments, WHO and targeted beneficiaries.
3-    Capacity building session/s on MDBs/IFIs:
a.    In coordination with EMRO communications team, develop  a standard training module for WHO leadership and staff on how to work with IFIs, including content development and inputs to presentations.
b.    Serve as a key presenter at identified training sessions for WHO staff, fine-tune the module, including a recorded version.

6.    Deliverables:

The assignment is divided into three (3) deliverable phases:

Phase 1 – Mobilization & Planning (September 2023): An inception report outlining the agreed key priority areas to be worked on and a timeline to complete this assignment. (The main discussion points that are raised and agreed upon are to be  included in the inception report and cleared by Corporate Resource Mobilization for Health Manager and CRP Director within  the first two weeks of the assignment).

Phase 2: Deliverables: Throughout the course of the assignment deliverables pertaining to the   scope of work including:

1-    Written inputs to A WHO customized guidance for working with MDBs/IFIs in fragile settings, including a lexicon and do’s & don’ts
2-    Advice on A value proposition for IFIs and governments working with WHO, both for internal dialogue (gaps) and external use (advocacy)
3-    Written content for Capacity building module to contribute to development of  powerpoint presentation
4-     Content delivery of a capacity building session for WHO staff, covering a cycle from engagement to operational closure and reporting.
Phase 3 Fine-tuning and final approvals: The guidance note and training materials will be presented and validated by Corporate Resource Mobilization for Health Manager and CRP Director. Final versions will address comments and suggestions and will be finalized in close cooperation with the assigned EMRO communications staff Consultant remains responsible for fine-tuning the content while communications staff ensure adherence to WHO’s presentational format and technical support.

7.    Technical Supervision:
The selected Consultant will work under the supervision of:
Manager:    Dr. Naseeb Qirbi, Corporate Resource Mobilization for Health Manager

8.    Specific requirements:

Qualifications required:

A Master’s degree in economics, management, business, international development /relations or health related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

Experience required:

Essential
•    At least ten years’ experience at senior policy and/or senior operational level in IFIs , with specific understanding of their modalities and UN partner requirements in FCV settings . International experience is mandatory.
•    Experience in developing value propositions and partnerships.
•    Experience in capacity building.

Desirable
•    Prior working/partnering experience with UN or WHO and understanding of WHO mandate and goals.
•    Work in the EMR.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
•    Well-developed understanding of IFI requirements and expectations
•    Experience of IFI systems
•    Demonstrated ability to plan and implement work, and to communicate ideas effectively.

Language requirements:

Excellent knowledge of English.
Working knowledge of Arabic would be desirable.

9.    Place of Assignment:

Remotely with travel to the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt with travel to countries in the EMR in required.

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

11.    Travel:
There is a potential for travel to subject countries during the consultancy assignment.

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.
•    For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
•    WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
•    WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
•    Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
•    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.
•    Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
•    WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
•    Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html