TA for training on Basic Public Health Emergency Management

Eswatini COVID-19 Emergency Response Project (ERP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Title of Assignment: CONSULTANT TO Train Basic Public Health Emergency Management

Reference Number: SZ-MOH-36081453918-CS-CQS

In 2021, the Kingdom of Eswatini secured additional financing for Eswatini COVID-19 Emergency Response Project (ERP, P173883) from the World Bank to continue with the COVID-19 response and strengthen capacity in preparedness for health emergencies, including supporting vital institutional capacity-building efforts in the development of standardized frameworks and guidelines for health emergency preparedness and response.

In addition to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Eswatini is under constant threat from other infectious diseases, droughts, storms, food contamination, antimicrobial resistance, traffic accidents and other emergencies. Despite the country’s commitment to strengthening health emergency preparedness and response capacity – a priority area, training, in the country’s National Health Sector Strategic Plan (2019-2023), remains limited.

Eswatini scored low at 38 in its 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) Joint External Evaluation of the Internal Health Regulations (2005). Eswatini’s preparedness score was particularly low with no or little capacity. Eswatini’s Global Health Security Index score was also low at 31.1. Eswatini was classified by WHO as a ‘least prepared’ country. Areas for improvement in Eswatini included:

• detection and response to emergencies within its overall health system capacity
• a sufficiently robust health system to treat the sick and protect health workers, especially in times of public health emergencies. Specific capacity gaps were identified in:• hospitals and clinics
• medical countermeasures
• personnel deployment.

In response, the Ministry of Health (MoH) is planning various activities to strengthen the country’s capacity in preparedness for health emergency including equipping key frontline health care workers with the training they need to ensure that they are prepared for and ready to respond public health emergencies.

Purpose of the consultancy

To provide key medical personnel assigned as Public Health Emergency Officer (PHEO), Medical Emergency Manager (MEM) and key frontline health workers in Eswatini with the knowledge and skills they need to ensure that they are prepared and ready to respond to public health emergencies by training them in the WHO Basic Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) course.

Requirements

• The successful educational institution will have a faculty with experience in PHEM training. Essential:

• Experience of developing and providing a customised health emergency training based on the requirements of the country
• Evidence of delivering Health Emergency Courses in Eswatini or similar settings through a training of trainers approach and mentorship of master trainers.
• Clear understanding of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, and public health surveillance systems in Eswatini and fair knowledge of the operations of national public health institutions.
• Knowledge of public health - Health Emergency Preparedness Response guidelines, frameworks, and data capture, reporting and analyses platforms and other tools used in Eswatini, and by the WHO and Africa CDC.
• Demonstrated ability to source additional specialist experts with the skills needed to fulfil the requirements of the consultancy. Desirable

• Knowledge in change management
• Experience working with WHO, Africa CDC and other UN Health Agencies

• Qualification of key staff: Individual trainers provided by the educational institution will have training and experience in public health, epidemiology and/or health emergency management. It would be desirable for these trainers to have advanced level studies and degrees in health or educational science, Master of Public Health, and PhD.:• Lead Trainer• Masters level training (e.g., MPH, or MSc) in public health, epidemiology, health science, health-services research, or related discipline. PhD an advantage
• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience with 3 year of specific experience in health emergency preparedness
• Experience in conducting training in health emergency preparedness, with experience in Eswatini or neighbouring countries setting a plus
• Experience working with government counterparts and other stakeholders in developing and deploying a Training of Trainers approach and mentorship of master trainers

• Project manager/Administrator• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience with 3 years of specific experience in medical/health training project management
• Experience in engaging with government counterparts and other stakeholders in implementing a medical/health training/capacity building intervention
• Experience working in Eswatini or similar setting

Duration of the assignment

Estimated to be 9 months.

Resources to provide to the Educational Institution by the MoH and be Provided by the Educational Institution

• Services, facilities, and property to be made available to the educational institution by the MoH:
• Projector Screens
• Laptop for training sessions
• Stationery
• Flip charts
• Venue for training session
• Logistics support to trainees

• Resources to be provided by the educational institution:
• Course materials

Reporting Arrangements

Report to MoH Head of Emergency Preparedness and Response.

APPLICATIONS:

Submit a detailed expression of interest that should include the required details above. Terms of Reference to this consultancy are available on request.

Application should be addressed to:

The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health; 2nd Floor Ministry of Justice Building, Mbabane. Postal address: The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health P.O. Box 5; Mbabane, Eswatini.

Electronic applications should be sent to [email protected]; Project Coordinator; [email protected] copy to [email protected] and [email protected] no later than 11.00 hours on 5 June, 2023. All applications will be acknowledged but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Contacts: +268 2411 8531 (Cell) + 268 7606 3222