Closing date: 24 Aug 2018
Through the implementation of the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3), IFRC aims to strengthen National Societies’ capacity to prepare for and respond to epidemics and pandemics. Building on the Preparedness for Effective Response framework recently updated by the IFRC, the health and care department has developed a set of “Epi-Ready” benchmarks and piloted them in Uganda and Indonesia. The consultancy will support the further development and implementation of the PER methodology, in particular with regards to the inclusion of epidemic risk.
Background
Large-scale epidemics and pandemics pose a serious threat not only to global health security but also to countries, communities and individuals in their efforts to achieve resilience. Epidemics and pandemics affect all sectors, impacting routine health services, economic and food security, trade, education, civil order, communication, transportation, and many other areas of life. The threat of emerging infectious diseases, including those of zoonotic origin, and the increasing prevalence of diseases previously controlled by antimicrobials and vaccination efforts, is a cause for concern to the global health community. Communities play an important role in prevention, early detection and early response with regard to this threat.
Engagement of communities and civil society in epidemic and pandemic preparedness is vital to ensure early response and to mitigate impact, including the delivery of normative health services. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or the Federation) is uniquely placed to support whole-of-society epidemic and pandemic preparedness by leveraging its supporting role to 190 National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies.
The IFRC has launched a new programme funded by USAID targeting community centric epidemic and pandemic preparedness utilising an all of society all hazard approach. A number of key activities will occur within the programme focused on three workstreams: Community Preparedness, National Society Preparedness and Private Sector and Key Stakeholders Engagement.
For the implementation of the second workstream of the programme, which aims to strengthen National Society Preparedness to Epidemics and Pandemics, CP3 is building on the IFRC Preparedness for Effective Response framework recently updated by Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement partners.
The Preparedness for Effective Response (PER)[1] is a cyclical approach for a National Society (NS) to systematically assess, measure, and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of its response system. The PER approach puts the NS in the driver’s seat to develop a work plan that when implemented will improve its overall response capacity. The PER draws on lessons learned from two decades of application of Well- Prepared National Society (WPNS) self-assessments and the Disaster Response Capacity Enhancement (DRCE) initiative.
The PER vision is “All National Societies within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement are able to objectively demonstrate an improved ability to respond effectively and efficiently with timely and appropriate actions that meet the needs of those most affected by disasters and crises.”
The approach is based on foundational RCRC documents including the National Disaster Preparedness and Response Mechanism (NDPRM), the Principles and Rules for RCRC Humanitarian Assistance, and the IFRC NS Development Framework. The approach complements other major RCRC Movement tools including the Organisational Capacity Assessment and Certification (OCAC), Branch Organisational Capacity Assessment (BOCA), and Safer Access Framework (SAF).
Over the past months, CP3 has developed a set of “Epi-Ready” benchmarks which were included in the updated PER methodology, and piloted in Uganda and Indonesia. In order to be able to roll out the PER in a large number of countries in the future, it is now necessary to develop orientation, training, and communication packs, to continue incorporating the learnings from pilots and trainings and to form a pool of PER champions who can orient National Societies, support assessment processes, or facilitate PER trainings.
The process of disseminating the PER methodology across the regions also requires intensive technical support to IFRC regional offices, technical teams and NS. As the PER approach is also linked to several initiatives currently led by various departments at IFRC (i.e. Logistics capacity building, cash preparedness, CBRN preparedness, Disaster Law, National Society Development, Epidemic and pandemic preparedness), which may lead to further incorporation of benchmarks in the methodology, support is required to ensure adequate coordination.
Objectives of the consultancy
Support the IFRC (health and DCPRR teams) with the development and fine-tuning of the PER approach, in particular in relation to the integration of the Epidemic and Pandemic preparedness aspects.
Provide technical advice and support to the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) and IFRC technical teams in planning, implementing and monitoring the PER – Epi ready approach.
Expected outcomes
Preparedness for Effective Response - reference material
Collect and integrate lessons learned from PER assessments and facilitator trainings.
Integrate lessons learned from “Epi-Ready” PER assessments and update relevant materials accordingly.
Coordinate with PER working group partners, and with the Canadian Red Cross in particular, who is partnering with CP3 to roll out PER assessment in Cameroon, Kenya, DRC, Mali, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Develop and/or update the promotional, orientation, implementation, facilitators training packs and incorporate Epi-ready references.
Keep PER packs up-to-date in English, French and Arabic by proofreading or following up on external translation and support the translation of the training pack in Spanish. Keep the PER master folder up-to-date.
Support the creation of an interface in both the offline and the online PER tools that allow a comparison between the assessment results over a period of time.
Support the development of the information management process, data collection, reporting and visualization of the capacity assessment results in close coordination with Information Management teams and relevant partners.
Migrate previous PER assessment results to the latest version of the tool to ensure comparison at a later stage.
Preparedness for Effective Response - Technical support
Provide technical support (remote or face to face) to IFRC Regional offices and /or NSs undertaking the PER capacity strengthening process.
Coach and support PER facilitators (IFRC/partners/ICRC teams) in preparation of capacity assessment exercises.
Support the adaptation/considerations of the PER approach for different contexts (i.e. Africa, Caribbean and Pacific small island states, complex emergencies), scopes (i.e. Branches).
Transfer and strengthen capacities of IFRC and relevant teams to apply the PER methodology – Epi ready process, materials and tools for future development in each region.
Preparedness for effective response - workshops
Development and/update PER facilitators training materials including Epi ready information.
Support assessment preparation facilitate trainings as per identified needs in coordination with IFRC regional offices and Geneva teams.
Adapt PER workshop to include a focus on epidemics preparedness and targeting branch capacity development.
Develop a two-day training for IFRC and partners teams in charge of the implementation of PER actions at regional or country level.
Preparedness for effective response – linkages with other initiatives
Work in close coordination with the IFRC relevant teams to ensure total compatibility of the capacity strengthening with the Preparedness for Effective Response.
Support IFRC teams for any briefing on the Preparedness for Effective Response process in different regions and NSs when needed.
Deliverables/outputs
Promotional, orientation, implementation, facilitators training packs, integrating Epi ready considerations, with completed references and accessible in IFRC systems (i.e. FEDNET, SharePoint). PER packs in English, French, Arabic and Spanish and master folder keep up to date.
PER assessment results, reports and action plans are compiled, and continued support is given to teams working on the PER – Epi ready methodology development and visualization process.
Documented key learnings, recommendations and adjustments to the PER approach and incorporation into the process, materials, tools etc.
Final report of the activities conducted during the consultancy period.
Proposed timeframe
The proposed time frame for this consultancy is 3rd September to 30th April 2019 with maximum of 150 consultancy, with potential extension based on funding and consultant availability. This consultancy will be home-based, with travel to Geneva, regional offices and NS when required.
Desirable requirements
The consultant will meet these minimum requirements:
Deep understanding of the Preparedness for Effective Response approach and methodology
Prior experience with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, IFRC and/or ICRC
At least 3 years of experience working on Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Risk Management, National Society capacity strengthening
Experience in capacity assessment processes, workshop facilitation, development of methodologies and tools.
Excellent analytical and writing skills in English. Fluency is other Federation languages (Arabic, French, Spanish) preferred
Management of the consultant
The consultant will be hired by the Health and Care department (CP3) and will be managed by the IFRC Health Security and Risk Management Senior Officer and will report technically to the IFRC NS Preparedness Senior Officer, both based in Geneva.
Relevant reference documents
[1] Revised and updated in 2017 in collaboration with Movement partners and IFRC technical teams.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should send their CV, letter of interest, and daily consultancy rate to health.department@ifrc.org.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.