Terms of Reference (TOR) Call for Local Health experts (Long-term & Short-term Consultants)- FCDO Ending Preventable Deaths (EPD) Programme. Somalia.

About IRC

 The IRC has more than 15 years of experience working in Somalia with the main office in Mogadishu and satellite offices in Garowe, Galkacyo, Dhusamareb, and Baidoa. Our geographic presence has strengthened the IRC´s coordination abilities at the local and national level, including with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), The ministry of health (MOH), the Ministry of Planning and International Economic Development (MoPIED), the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development (MoWHRD), and the Banadir Regional Administration (BRA). The IRC implements integrated governance, health, nutrition, WASH, protection, and economic development and recovery programs.

Background and Objectives of the FCDO Ending Preventable Deaths (EPD) Programme

 The EPD Support Programme aims to aid FCDO central and country teams in their efforts to end preventable deaths of mothers, babies, and children by 2030. The programme will enhance health systems, promote human rights, and foster healthier environments in 11 flagship countries. The programme will provide long-term and short-term technical assistance (TA) through local and international consultants and a strategic flexible fund to support FCDO teams.

 The IRC is recruiting expert technical consultants to join our consultant pool for the EPD Support Programme. We are seeking short-term (20 to 40 days) and long-term (150 to 220 days per year) consultants to provide technical assistance to FCDO country teams to influence policy, legal, and strategic frameworks necessary for progress on EPD in line with centrally managed and bilateral country programs such as Somalia. The technical assistance required for EPD Somalia country program will be determined through consultations with Somalia federal government (FMOH). The long and short terms consultants will provide tailored assistance designed for ensuring effective support for FCDO EPD project in central and Somalia teams.

 Scope of Work: Ensuring the delivery of program outcomes and performance management of EPD program deliverables as per the FCDO EPD performance contract.

Responsibilities for Long Term Technical Assistance (LTA) include:

•      Fostering a long-term EPD partnership approach and building strong relationships with FCDO, host governments, and partners.

•      Provide high-caliber technical advice on addressing deep and complex ‘bottleneck’ issues identified in flagship countries.

•      Collaboration with FCDO, government, and partners to strengthen country institutions, systems, policies, and coordination to support the EPD goals, focusing on specific areas such as strengthening health systems and broader health determinants, including WASH, nutrition, and SRHR.

•      Operate effectively in complex political environments, to ensure strong working relationship with government officials and FCDO in Coordination and strategic

•      Communication to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) and foster sustainable partnerships with government and other stakeholders.

•      Responsible for monitoring KPIs to ensure contract deliverables are delivered effectively and efficiently.

Responsibilities for Short Term Technical Assistance (STA) include:

•      Provide short-term consultancy services for assignments ranging from one week to three weeks or more depending on LoE.

•      Offer deep specialist engagement on specific issues aligned with the three pillars of EPD: health systems, human rights, gender equality (including SRHR), and healthier environments (WASH, nutrition, climate, and health).

•      Support FCDO central teams, strategically important countries, and the wider diplomatic network with catalytic activities furthering EPD aims.

•      Collaborate with donor partners to improve alignment and coordination of EPD investments.

•      Ensure SRHR, nutrition, and WASH integration within large health investments.

Role requirements for Short Term Technical Assistance (STA) and Long-Term Technical Assistance (LTA):

•      Public health specialists with strong experience providing technical assistance on health system strengthening, primary health care, and reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health.

•      Broad knowledge of the wider determinants of health (including nutrition, climate, etc.) and able to engage meaningfully on WASH, nutrition, and other aspects of SRHR.

•      Familiarity with FCDO’s EPD strategy and key barriers to progress.

•      Skills in program design and development networking with international and national institutions and development agencies which promote primary healthcare, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health.

•      Policy and advocacy skills and experience advising government actors.

•      Specialized expertise in one or more technical areas: health systems strengthening, reproductive health care, health policy and administrative management, essential nutrition, family planning, and primary drinking water supply and sanitation.

•      Flexibility and adaptability to provide focused technical support in various settings and experience advising government actors in policy and the design of investments.

•      Experience and ability to provide leadership and direction to political leaders and operate in a flexible environment.

•      Ability to navigate a flexible and dynamic environment where priorities may shift, requiring adaptability and resilience to respond to changing directives and evolving program needs.

•      Ability to work in complex and fragile settings.

•      Fluency in English is required, and fluency in Somali language(s) is preferred.

•      Qualified candidates from the local technical experts in Somalia are strongly preferred.

Application requirements

•      Post-graduate degree in public health, health systems and related field.

•      At least 10 years of professional work experience of large scale, muti-million dollar; Knowledge of FCDO ending preventable death and related previous work in Somalia context

•      Previous track record of similar consultancies works and managing commercial contracts.

•      strong analytical skills and high-level skills in both written and verbal communications skills in English to influence stakeholders.

•      Experience conducting both quantitative and qualitative surveys and analysis.

•      For short-term consultancies, please note that the duration will range from a minimum of one week to a maximum of three weeks or more, over the three-year period of the project, through on a call and roster basis.

•      Strong collaboration network of Somalia ministry of health are strongly preferred.

•      Deep understanding of addressing critical issue related to health systems strengthening.

To apply, please submit

•      your CV and a cover letter or expression of interest specifying if you are interested in either long term or short-term roles or both and your particular technical areas of expertise.

•      Detail how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate for the role.

•      Please also state your daily remuneration expectations and specify your country of residence.

•      Proposals must be submitted as word/PDF/excel files, ideally merged or packaged in a Zip folder or one PDF file.

•      Proposal or expression of interest must be submitted to the following address [email protected] with specifying the consult you are 

applying “Long Term Technical Assistance” or “Short Term Technical Assistance” or “Both” in the subject line.

The deadline of application is 31st August 2024.

NB: Recruitment for these roles are contingent upon the successful award of the project, and the final applicant's selection is subject to FCDO approval.

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