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The main objective of this consultancy is to support WHO regional and country offices in strengthening the integration of NCDs into emergency preparedness and response frameworks and in building resilient primary health care systems capable of delivering NCD care in both stable and crisis contexts, in line with the regional framework for action on addressing NCDs in emergencies.
People living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are particularly vulnerable during humanitarian emergencies, where continuity of essential health services is often disrupted. Recognizing this, the WHO Global NCD Action Plan (2013–2030) emphasizes the need for Member States to ensure sustained access to life-saving technologies and essential medicines for NCD patients in crisis settings. The 2018 UN Political Declaration further highlighted the urgent requirement to strengthen health services and infrastructure to support people with NCDs before, during, and after emergencies.
In response, WHO has developed policy recommendations to guide the integration of NCD care into humanitarian preparedness and response, reinforced by mandates from the World Health Assembly in 2022 (WHA/A75/10, Annex 4). These frameworks empower WHO to support Member States in embedding NCD services within emergency health systems to enhance resilience and continuity of care.
The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office developed a regional framework for action (RFA) on addressing NCDs in emergencies to support countries in their efforts to manage NCDs in crises, which was endorsed by Member States in resolution EM/RC70/R.2 at the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean in October 2023. The collective endorsement reflects the commitment of Member States to actively address NCDs and safeguard their populations’ health and well-being during crises. This marks a significant advancement in enhancing regional resilience to emergencies, ensuring prioritized NCD care in challenging situations. The resolution urged Member States, with support from WHO, to implement a set of strategic interventions and priority actions for addressing NCDs in emergencies as an integral part of efforts to ensure the continuity of all essential health services.
Building on this momentum, WHO is advancing efforts through the NCD-WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) joint workplan to strengthen the integration of NCD services within humanitarian and fragile settings. The aim is to enhance national capacities and health systems in countries affected by emergencies, ensuring that NCD prevention, management, and care are effectively incorporated into national plans including emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plans.
This consultancy seeks to engage a regional consultant to oversee and support the effective implementation of the project, including the joint workplan, by providing technical assistance, project management, and both regional and country-level support. The consultant will play a pivotal role in ensuring that NCD prevention, management, and care are fully integrated into emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plans across the region.
The consultant will report to the Regional Advisor NCD Prevention and HealthCare and collaborate closely with the Emergency Operations focal point in the WHE team, WHO Country Offices, national counterparts, and HQ NCD colleagues. The consultant will deliver the following:
Objective 1: Provide technical support and strategic planning and implementation of NCD services in emergencies
1.1 Support WHO Country Offices in integrating NCDs in national Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans (EPHS).
1.2 Collaborate with country offices to enhance national health workforce capacity by identifying relevant training materials and supporting the planning and delivery of tailored training programmes for health professionals and community health workers responding to NCDs in emergency and humanitarian settings.
1.3 Review existing emergency health plans and identify entry points for including NCD services.
1.4 Provide support with the inclusion of key care components for core NCDs in the EPHS and their implementation at the primary level to cover the full continuum of care, from prevention to treatment and palliation to be maintained during emergencies, based on countries’ contexts.
1.5 Draft recommendations on how PHC systems can be strengthened to ensure continuity of care for NCDs during crises, based on WHO HEARTS and PEN packages.
1.6 Support adaptation and development of emergency-specific NCD protocols, tools, and guidelines for use in disrupted settings.
1.7 Contribute to the design of essential service packages and referral mechanisms for NCDs during emergencies, ensuring alignment with national health systems.
1.8 Provide regional representation on NCDs in level 2 IMSTs as needed and provide technical inputs including forecasting, procurement and deployment of NCD emergency kits and specialized care supplies on behalf of NCD department.
1.9 Facilitate coordination and provide technical support to implementing partners.
Deliverable 1.1: Draft a technical report outlining priority actions for integrating NCDs into emergency response at regional level and per county supported.
Objective 2: Support the implementation and documentation of operational reviews, or post-review action plans, to improve appropriateness and performance of NCD service delivery in humanitarian settings
2.1 Provide technical input to the design and implementation of operational reviews, including tools, frameworks and reports.
2.2 Participate in country-level missions to evaluate strengths, challenges, and gaps in the current NCD response during emergencies.
2.3 Support drafting and implementation of country-specific roadmaps for strengthening the integration of NCD services in emergency contexts; in line with the regional frameworks for addressing NCDs in emergencies.
2.4 Facilitate systematic documentation and support publication of review findings to inform policy and strategy development.
Deliverable 2: review reports (or post-review action plan / action framework), with practical recommendations and timelines for selected 3 countries.
Objective 3: Facilitate stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and knowledge exchange for NCD integration in emergencies
3.1 Organize regional and national consultative meetings with Ministries of Health, UN agencies, and implementing partners, in line with the operational reviews.
3.2 Co-lead a Community of Practice in NCDs in emergencies, to share progress with national and regional counterparts, facilitate dialogue on work progress, challenges, and opportunities for NCD integration in emergencies.
3.3 Support documentation of meeting including background papers, talking points, and summary reports.
3.4 Provide technical inputs to regional and global advocacy events, including donor briefings and UNHLM processes.
3.5 Monitor the regional impact of funding cuts and disruptions to NCD services and support advocacy with evidence.
3.6 Develop case studies showcasing best practices and scalable models from countries
3.7 Facilitate and coordinate the development of regional expert networks on specific NCDs (e.g. Diabetes, Dialysis) which represent operational challenges during emergencies in the region.
Deliverable 3.1 Submit a report of consultative meetings (including agendas, presentations, minutes, and recommendations). In addition to case studies, and technical summaries of best practices for NCD care in emergencies.
Output 4: Provide project management, regional and country-level support for the activities of the WHE-NCD joint workplan on NCDs in emergencies
4.1 Finalize the operational manual of the Regional Framework for Action on addressing NCDs in emergencies, in collaboration with global and regional partners.
4.2 Coordinate regional and country-level implementation of workplan activities, ensuring alignment with national priorities and WHO guidance.
4.3 Liaise with national counterparts and implementing partners to monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and propose solutions.
4.4