Purpose of consultancy
To provide technical expertise to the WHE EMT Unit by contributing to EMT activities and products, including the organization of the mentorship, classification, and reclassification processes of Emergency Medical Teams.
Background
In 2016, WHO launched a classification program for EMTs deployed internationally, with the main objective to improve the quality of care and professionalism and enhance coordination during deployments. This also included strengthening the capacities of health authorities at the national level to activate and coordinate EMTs and support the development of national EMT’s to be deployed rapidly during health emergencies given the need for urgent medical care.
Since the launch of the initiative, 40 teams have been classified, with more than 100 teams in different stages of the mentorship towards their classification. The toll of the pandemic within the EMT Initiative and its network partners is continuously imminent to date. Requests for assistance from Member States have increased while EMTs’ capacities to respond have been affected greatly by different factors including rebuilding their own respective capacities while with limited resources for deployment.
EMTs’ interest in being part of the Global classification system remains high. In the first 3 months of 2024 alone, at least 10 EMTs have commenced the mentorship process across all WHO regions. DG ECHO launched its RescEU project with the intention of classifying 21 EMTs including both EMT Type 2 and Specialized Care Teams from different Member States.
The increasing demand to monitor the progress of EMTs within the Classification process has therefore further constrained the availability of trained and qualified mentors.
Following the launch of the updated Classification and minimum standards for Emergency Medical Teams (2021), additional standards on Specialized Care Teams for Burn and Highly Infectious Diseases have been added with more to come for the rest of 2024.
The consultancy is needed to ensure the continuation of mentorship and classification of EMTs while adapting to new standards and available resources.
Deliverables
- Output 1: To organize the classification process based on the Classification and minimum technical standards for Emergency Medical Teams (2021) and other pertinent documents.
- Activity 1.1: Implement the database (KIMEP), ensuring the availability of updated information, of EMTs in the classification system.
Activity 1.2: Develop at least two (2) more tools and technical products related to classification and minimum technical standards based on existing guidelines.
Activity 1.3: Collaborate with the EMT Secretariat to ensure the dissemination of developed tools and technical products related to classification.
Activity 1.4: Provide technical inputs in the verification process, based on systems and processes in place, of EMTs as well as participate in two (2) to three (3) pre-verification visits.
Activity 1.5: Provide a monthly report on classification and mentorship-related activities including main outcomes, opportunities for the EMT Initiative, and key recommendations relevant to the Initiative.
Activity 1.6: Coordinate with both Mentors and the EMT Secretariat on activity dates related to pre- and/or verification visits.
- Output 2: To organize the mentorship process based on the Classification and minimum technical standards for Emergency Medical Teams (2021) and other pertinent documents.
- Activity 2.1: Maintain the database, ensuring the availability of updated information, on Mentors and their EMT assignments/allocations toward classification.
- Activity 2.2: Develop tools and technical products related to mentorship based on existing guidelines.
- Activity 2.3: Collaborate with the EMT Secretariat to ensure the dissemination of developed tools and technical products related to mentorship.
- Activity 2.4: Provide guidance to Mentors in both technical and non-technical capacities to guide EMTs during mentorship and towards classification, as well as participate in Mentorship or Pre-verification or Verification visits, as needed.
- Activity 2.5: Provide the EMT Secretariat bi-weekly updates on mentorship activities and ensure that documents from mentors are up to date.
- Activity 2.6: Provide a monthly report on classification and mentorship-related activities including main outcomes, opportunities for the EMT Initiative, and key recommendations relevant to the Initiative.
- Activity 2.7: Coordinate with both Mentors and the EMT Secretariat on activity dates related to mentorship visits.
- Output 3: To provide technical expertise to the EMT Secretariat in the development of key guidelines and processes.
- Activity 3.1: Provide an expert review or written guidance on the development of support materials for the purpose of placing forward the development of the initiative such as participation in technical working groups.
- Activity 3.2: Finalize the Classification Handbook for Mentors and EMTs (ENG) to ensure effective guidance among EMTs towards its classification and compliance with the minimum standardsand draft the Classification Handbook for Mentors and EMTs in one of the official UN languages.
- Output 4: To provide technical expertise to the EMT Secretariat in the operational management of the RescEU project.
- Activity 4.1: Manage the mentorship for 21 RescEU EMTs, including the identification and support to technical and non-technical capacities to guide both mentors and EMTs during mentorship, and ensure that documents from mentors and EMTs are maintained and up to date.
- Activity 4.2: Develop and implement technical products related to mentorship and classification specific to the implementation of the RescEU project.
- Activity 4.3: Provide the EMT Secretariat with bi-weekly updates on mentorship activities, including but not exclusive to participation in meetings related to the RescEU project, and coordination of dates related to mentorship activities.
- Activity 4.4: Coordinate with both the EMT Secretariat and DG ECHO with updates on the progress of mentorship of RescEU EMTs including main outcomes, opportunities for the EMT Secretariat, and key recommendations directly related and relevant to the implementation of the project.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:
Essential:
- Advanced university degree in health (Medicine, Public Health, nursing) and or other field related to the operations of Emergency Medical Teams such as Logistics, Water and Sanitation, Monitoring and Evaluation, or Public Policy.
Desirable:
- Training/certification in emergency response and quality improvement/ quality assurance processes EMT Mentor training.
- Rapid response training such as EMT, UNDAC, or INSARAG.
- Completion of the WHO EMT Mentor training or have completed similar training in mentorship application.
Experience:
Essential:
- Over 10 years of demonstrable experience in the development and/or management of Emergency Medical Teams or similar emergency response teams (medical or search and rescue) and direct engagement with other partners including donors and other international organizations.
Desirable:
- Experience in field emergency management related to Emergency Medical Teams.
- Experience with WHO, ICRC, IFRC, MSF or national emergency response systems.
- Experience in the management and application of logistics for emergency medical teams or similar emergency response teams.
Skills:
- Expert knowledge about the EMT guiding principles, core, technical standards, and coordination mechanisms.
- Ability to plan and organize tasks related to multiple simultaneous projects, and with attention to details.
- Excellent interpersonal and team leadership skills, including ability to network and develop effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders, donors, and partners.
- Ability to review, develop, and implement program procedures, systems, and processes.
- Ability to maintain a positive and flexible problem-solving approach with a can-do attitude.
- Good project management skills with experience in proposal development, implementation of emergency and developmental-related projects.
- Ability to identify, pre-empt, and manage program challenges.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, excel, and other related software.
Languages required:
Essential:
- Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:
- Intermediate knowledge of French or another UN language
Location
Off site: Home-based.
Travel
The consultant is expected to travel.
Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
Remuneration:
Band level C – USD 500 – 625 per day.
Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):
N/A
Expected duration of contract:
90 days during 6 months’ period.
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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- Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
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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. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
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- 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