Purpose of the Consultancy

The World Health Organization (WHO) would like to recruit an experienced and dynamic short-term consultant to support the WHE unit, WHO Cambodia in providing systematic technical support to the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the areas of strengthening multisectoral coordination and monitoring of implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) to achieve the following expected outputs and deliverables:

Background

The IHR (2005) are an instrument of international law that is legally-binding and provides an overarching legal framework that defines countries’ rights and obligations in handling public health events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders. Due to the complex nature of public health emergencies that can be caused by different risks, threats and hazards, the health sector alone cannot effectively address all aspects and thus a multisectoral approach that leverages and coordinates resources from multiple sectors is required. By expanding efforts beyond the health sector, countries engage a range of stakeholders that can support a coordinated approach to health emergencies preparedness and implementation of IHR (2005) core capacities. This extends to the development and implementation of the National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS).

In Cambodia, multisectoral collaboration was used to develop the previous NAPHS in 2016 and annually review implementation as well as complete the IHR States Parties Self-Assessment Annual Report (SPAR). In 2024, a second Joint External Evaluation was conducted and the development of a new NAPHS initiated in October 2024 for implementation in 2025-2026.  Work remains on finalization of the new NAPHS and strengthening the mechanisms that facilitate coordination, collaboration and resource mobilization across the sectors for the implementation of IHR and the monitoring of the progress of NAPHS implementation.

Deliverables

Under the supervision of the WHE Team Lead, the consultant will support the strengthening of IHR coordination, and finalization and monitoring of the national action plan for health security.

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:

Outputs 1: Provide technical assistance to strengthen coordination for implementation of IHR
Deliverable 1.1: Conduct a desk review and expert consultations to document current/best practices for IHR coordination and functions, including mapping for National Health Security legal framework to achieve IHR capacities, and establishment of platform through which the IHR NFP can engage regularly with relevant sectors
Deliverable 1.2: Review new obligations under the IHR Amendments and develop options for Cambodia on how to meet obligations (e.g. regulation)
Deliverable 1.3: Draft terms of reference for a national committee for health security with purpose, objectives, membership, structure, and roles and responsibilities of committee
Deliverable 1.4: Draft standard operating procedure (SOP) to delineate each ministries/agencies roles and responsibilities for IHR implementation including role in technical working groups to monitor NAPHS progress

Output 2: Provide technical assistance to finalize the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and support monitoring of IHR implementation
Deliverarble 1.1: Develop the NAPHS final report including strategic and operational actions through additional meetings and a workshop to finalize costings and M&E
Deliverarble 1.2: Organize a workshop/meeting with key donors and partners to facilitate coordination and linkage across investments that support implementation of IHR and NAPHS
Deliverarble 1.3: Support MOH to organize and facilitate multisectoral meetings to review NAPHS implementation and facilitate SPAR discussions on indicators, scores and priorities.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Advanced university degree in medicine, infectious diseases, public health, or other related field

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years’ experience of relevant experience at national level in areas of public health, health emergencies. Experience in multisectoral coordination of agencies/partners at national level
Desirable: Experience working in the UN environment, preferably with WHO, or with other international agency.

Skills and knowledge

Excellent abilities in overall management, organizational and coordination of technical workstream.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and sensitivity to political and cultural issues
Proven ability to work in multisectoral teams at the international level
Proven ability to organize, deliver activities and meet deadlines

Language

Requirement: official language of Khmer (Excellent) and English (Good).

Location

WHO Cambodia Country Office, Phnom Penh

Travel

The Consultant is expected travel to provinces when needed

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: TBD
Duration: 7 months, December 2024 – June 2025

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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•    Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
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