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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy  

The WHO Country Office in Syria (WCO) is looking for a consultant with experience in conducting surveys, FGDs an qualitative/quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, desk reviews and report writing to support in writing the report for an interagency SEA (Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) Risk Assessment (IARA) in Syria. The services are solicited in the context of shaping the WCO, and interagency PSEA (Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse) network strategies and action plan on PSEA. The present terms of reference define the objectives, scope, and requirements of the deliverable. In alignment with the global IARA methodology, the SEA risk dimensions being measured will be the enabling environment, context, operational context and also the protective environment.

Background  

The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have been responding to the large-scale, and protracted crisis affecting Syria for over 14 years. The overall inter-factional armed conflict, exacerbated by the massive earthquake in early 2023, hyperinflation resulting from sanctions and 85% of households living in poverty[1] has hugely increased protection risks. These risks include human trafficking, child marriage, gender-based violence (GBV) as well as sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), among many others[2]. During late 2024, a dramatic and unexpected change took place in Syria when the long-term leadership was toppled, making way for the new caretaker authorities to take power and begin a new phase for Syria. This change means that there may be a lifting of sanctions, increased donor interest in the country and opportunities also for early recovery investment and development pathways. Despite these more positive potentials, a high number of returns, further displacements, a potential resurgence of armed groups and also uncertainty about how the caretaker authorities will be able to manage law and order present major SEA risks, which according to the IASC, have increased Syria’s vulnerabilities to major SEA risks.

WHO and all UN agencies are bound by the six core principles of PSEA (protection from sexual exploitation and abuse),[3] which affirm that acts of SEA are serious misconduct; all WHO personnel have an obligation to take steps to prevent and mitigate the risk of SEA and abide by UN standards on PSEA.[4] As a member of the IASC, party to interagency coordination mechanisms and leading the UN health response in Syria, WHO has a duty to assure that its partners, collaborators and affected communities under the health response are aware of PSEA.

WHO is also an active member of the interagency PSEA network at the national level based in Damascus, and also in the respective sub-national networks in Aleppo and Qamishli. As a part of its duties to the interagency network WHO has aligned its annual workplan with the interagency’s and also pledged funds to support specific interagency activities. A major deliverable of the interagency that WHO is funding during 2025 is the IARA (Interagency Risk Assessment) exercise that will compliment the IARA that has been carried out in Aleppo during 2024, and will address Damascus, and Qamishli areas. Within this overall framework, WHO seeks the support of a international remote consultant to support in the data collection, analysis and overall preparation of the report.

Work to be performed

Goal and overall objectives of the assessment:

This assessment is expected to provide concrete risk management measures, which would decrease both the level and likelihood of those risks occurring and improve overall PSEA response, and relevant inputs to for adjusting WHO programs and internal procedures where necessary, in line with the priorities of United Nations, and the ICN PSEA network.

The consultant will work closely with the WHO PRS Coordinator, respective WHO PRS focal points in Damascus and Qamishli and the interagency PSEA network co-chairs. The report will contribute to;

a)       better understanding the main risk of sexual exploitation and abuse occurring throughout the humanitarian and development operations in Syria (within Damascus and Qamishli) and how those risks are currently responded to;

b)      informing the RC, heads of agencies/NGOs/INGOs, interagency PSEA network and senior agency management of WCO priority actions in PSEA

The scope of work:

The consultant will need to carry out a desk review/secondary data analysis based on the IARA that was conducted during 2024 in Aleppo, have a small number of KIIs with colleagues from WHO, and the PSEA interagency network co-chairs at Damascus and Qamishli level. Then, once the data has been collected by the adjacent data collection firm, the consultant will need to review the quantitative data, synthesize it with the secondary data collected and integrate it all in order to generate the final report. They may need to have direct contact with the data collection firm to share their updates, ask questions, etc. However, this should all be brokered through the PRS coordinator and respective PRS focal points.

 Methodology and approach:

The assignment will be conducted remotely and the consultant must be able to work around the working hours of the WHO Syria country office (8:30am-16:00 GMT 3). They will be guided primarily by the WHO PRS (Prevention & Response to Sexual Misconduct) Coordinator with support from the interagency PSEA network co-chairs at national level (UNRWA, IMC, UNHCR). Below, is the suggested breakdown of activities.

The following work plan suggests the dates and responsibilities for the different activities of the review process:

Deliverables

1.       Draft report (max. 20 pages excluding annexes)

2.       Final report (max. 20 pages excluding annexes)

The final report shall be of high quality and comprise the following chapters:

•    Executive summary (max 1 pages)
•    Qualitative review and situating the research in a global/national context
•    Integration of quantitative findings from the primary data collection (KIIs, FGDs, etc)
•          Summary of concrete recommendations for the humanitarian country team (UN, NGOs, INGOs etc) in Syria to implement in order to improve SEA mitigation efforts in Syria

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Master’s degree or PhD in international relations, gender studies, international law or a related field

Desirable: Certifications, trainings or virtual courses on gender in humanitarian action, PSEA, AAP a strong asset

Experience

Essential

Over 10 years of experience in the effective use of various qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Experience in carrying out large-scale research projects in international organizations, and in the MENA region.

Desirable

Familiarity with the UN system strongly preferred as well as understanding respective accountability frameworks especially AAP (accountability to affected populations), and PSEA.

Proven track record on developing high quality research products. Evidence of this, such as academic publications a strong asset.

Skills/Knowledge

• Proven track record on developing high quality research products. 

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic

Location

Remote, with ability to work within the working hours of the WHO Syria Country office based in Damascus (GMT 3).

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

• Remuneration: Payband level – Remuneration currency – Payband range 

[please mention the daily or monthly range (IN 09/2021 refers); or for language and publishing services by word count or number of pages]:

Band level A/B/C/D in addition “amount of daily or monthly averages in full”   

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

Number of months and not just dates

OR

Number of days worked during a certain period of time

For part-time, please indicate percentage

Hiring Unit

WHO Syria Counry office based in Damascus

 WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:

a)      Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.

b)      All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided.

c)      Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

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.