National Consultant for Conducting Health Service Availability and Readiness Assessment Around Border Entry Points
Organizational Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN-related agency established in 1951, promotes humane and orderly migration. This role supports a project implemented with the Asian Development Bank and governments of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, focusing on cross-border health security. The project addresses public health risks, surveillance gaps, and migrant health vulnerabilities along key economic corridors.
Job Purpose
This role aims to support the Governments of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in generating crucial evidence regarding the capacity of border area health systems. The objective is to assess their ability to meet the needs of migrants, mobile populations, and host communities, with a specific focus on preventing, detecting, referring, and responding to communicable diseases. The findings will inform strategies for community health risk reduction and improved service availability, fostering cross-border cooperation and communication.
Responsibilities
The National Consultant will review and contextualize assessment methodologies and tools, and conduct mapping of existing cross-border health data sharing systems and policies. Responsibilities include a desk review of relevant legislation and protocols, identifying priority cross-border infectious diseases, and supporting the planning and execution of field assessments. The consultant will collect and validate data, prepare a field assessment report, and develop an operational roadmap for improving health service availability and readiness. Additionally, the role involves developing and testing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cross-border health information exchange, disease notification, case management, surveillance, and emergency coordination.
Work Experience
Requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public health research, particularly in epidemiology, communicable diseases, International Health Regulations (IHR), and border health. Experience in conducting health service availability/readiness assessments, communicable disease control, and familiarity with WHO assessment tools are essential. Experience with data collection platforms like KoboToolbox and working with international organizations is advantageous.
Skills
Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods, data collection, management, and analysis. Strong ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders including health and border authorities, service providers, and international organizations. Excellent analytical, report-writing, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.