International Consultant on Health Service Availability and Readiness Assessment
Organizational Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN-related agency, promotes humane and orderly migration. This consultancy is part of a project implemented with the Asian Development Bank and the governments of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, focusing on cross-border health security along the Khujand-Tashkent economic corridor, specifically at the Fotehobod and Oybek points of entry.
Job Purpose
This role serves to generate evidence on the capacity of health systems in border areas of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to meet the needs of migrants, mobile populations, and host communities. The International Consultant will design and lead a mixed-method assessment of health service availability and readiness around the Fotehobod and Oybek points of entry. The findings will inform responses for community health risk reduction, improved service availability, and enhanced cross-border cooperation and communication, guiding the Project Bilateral Task Force Group in developing surveillance, control measures, and coordination protocols for health security.
Responsibilities
The consultant will develop a work plan and a mixed-method assessment methodology with data collection tools, leveraging WHO assessment frameworks. Responsibilities include coordinating and monitoring national consultants during field implementation, ensuring consistent application of methodology and data quality. The role involves reviewing and validating collected data, preparing a comprehensive assessment report with findings, gaps, and recommendations, and presenting these findings to stakeholders. Additionally, the consultant will provide technical recommendations for developing a joint strategy on reducing health risks among vulnerable populations and an operational roadmap for improving health service availability and readiness, consolidating all processes and findings into a package for potential use by other CAREC countries.
Work Experience
Demonstrated experience in conducting health service availability/readiness assessments or similar public health assessments is essential. Experience with communicable disease control, IHR, public health emergency preparedness, and border health is advantageous. Proficiency with WHO assessment tools, developing methodologies and data collection tools, and analyzing health data is required. Experience with KoboToolbox, international organizations, and cross-border health contexts is beneficial.
Skills
Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods, data collection, management, and analysis. Ability to effectively engage and coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including health authorities, border officials, service providers, international organizations, and mobile populations. Excellent analytical, report-writing, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.