Background
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer- based humanitarian network. IFRC is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies (NS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. IFRC’s headquarters are in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Americas Regional Office, based in Panama, supports through the Country Cluster Support Teams (CCST) and Country Delegations, 33 NS in the region.
As of July 2021, the Americas region accounts for 40% of cumulative cases and 48% of cumulative deaths worldwide; with 4 countries from the Americas among the top 10 countries worldwide with the highest number of total cases and 5 countries among the top 10 countries worldwide with the highest number of total deaths. 8 countries from the Americas are among the top 20 countries worldwide with the highest 14 days cumulative incidence (number of new cases reported in the last 14 days per 100k population) meaning that almost 50% of the transmission occurring worldwide is still taking place in the Americas. Only 6 countries in the region have more than 30% of the population fully vaccinated with 75% of countries in the region not reaching yet even the 20% of the population. There is a massive inequity in covid-19 vaccine roll out and coverage, with high-risk groups excluded from national plans: migrants, IDPs, indigenous communities, hard to reach communities, populations living in fragile and violent contexts.
To address the covid-19 situation depicted above, the IFRC follows a global COVID-19 emergency plan of action with a health and wash pillar accounting for the vast majority of activities. The current key components of the plan are:
Continued emphasis on core public health epidemic preparedness and response measures.
Support equitable, safe, and efficient vaccine roll-out in all its different stages.
Prepare and support increased needs from long-term health impacts.
Continued advocacy, investment and coordinated strategies to support the scale-up of communities' efforts to increase public trust in vaccine effectiveness and safety.
Address low-risk perception and work with communities to maintain preventative measures at the same time as vaccines rolled out continues.
Purpose of Project and Background
Public Health plays a key role in preparedness and response to outbreaks and epidemics as part of IFRC Emergency interventions. The Public Health consultant, under the supervision of the regional emergency health coordinator and the head of the regional health unit, works in collaboration with other Movement Partners, delegates, national staff and volunteers, local health authorities and affected communities as part of a team within the mandate of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
In support of the IFRC regional health response to COVID-19, the consultant will support the implementation of the appeal plan of action at regional level. This support must build on evidence, best practices, solid understanding and participation of NS and local communities, the changing external humanitarian context and the interests and capacities of the NS and internal and external stakeholders.
The consultant works closely with the Emergency Health Delegate and Operation Manager to carry out training for volunteers, strengthen NS capacities to respond to the COVID19 epidemic through high quality, effective and appropriate public health interventions, and perform epidemiological analysis of the situation. This includes direct support to PHE programming implementation that builds upon NS and community capacities, and accountability to affected populations.
Project Objectives
The PHiE consultant is responsible to support regional health unit and emergency health coordinator for assessing, coordinating and overseeing quality implementation of all public health interventions in response to COVID-19 outbreak, in conjunction with the host Red Cross Red Crescent National Society health departments.
Support the development, analysis and implementation of public health activities contained in COVID-19 SN Contingency Plans and Plans of Actions.
Support the coordination and communication with local government and partners, and other humanitarian agencies responding to COVID-19 outbreak in the area, to ensure effective rapid assessment, along with a holistic approach to public health that prevents gaps and/or duplication in services.
Support in ensuring evidence, best practices and core standards are applied to all levels of public health emergency programming, to ensure quality of services provided by the host RCRC NS health departments.
Support in advocating for the role of the Red Cross Red Crescent in public health response to COVID-19.
Support in ensuring IFRC public health emergency programming aligns with and considers the needs, capacities, strengths and limitations of the host National Society, while meeting humanitarian needs in the context of COVID-19 response.
Support NS to assess the public health needs of communities affected by COVID-19 outbreak.
Support NS to establish, manage and/or support community-based public health interventions, including epidemic control, health promotion, and transmission prevention.
Manage and/or support epidemiological data collection, interpretation and application to programming to ensure timely and appropriate public interventions.
Take a strategic approach to public health intervention design to successfully plan for and incorporate transitions to early recovery/long term recovery and exit.
Take a capacity building approach to work, providing training, technical support, mentoring and dissemination as part of emergency response and recovery activities for the host NS.
Products of the consultancy
The objectives defined above will be reflected by, among others, the following expected deliverables:
a. Weekly covid-19 epidemiological bulletin (both in Spanish and English)- 28 bulletins
b. Preparation of monthly covid-19 epidemiological situation update.- 7 updates
c. Training for NS on Epidemic Control for Volunteers and Community Based Surveillance as well as capacitation for general outbreak preparedness and response. – training of volunteers of 14 National Societies (two NSs x months- 25 participants per course) – 700 volunteers trained
d. NSs supported in their recovery plans- 32 National societies Plans
e. Assessment, monitoring and evaluation of covid-19 NSRP (National Societies Response Plans) – 32 NSRP revised
f. 8 NSs supported in covid-19 vaccine roll out.
g. RCCE/CEA material in coordination with CEA department. – at demand
Consultant Profile Requirements
Academical qualification and relevant experience in Public Health.
Relevant experience in emergency settings and humanitarian contexts.
Knowledge of RCRC movement principles and visions as well as IFRC framework.
Knowledge of the Americas Region.
Fluent in both Spanish and English (French is an asset).
How to apply:
Terms and Conditions
The applicants should present
A complete curriculum
Technical and economical proposal according to the Terms of Reference.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Interested candidates, please apply on this link: https://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=83716