OECS Regional Health Project ( - Тендер #41171906)

NOTICE AT-A-GLANCE

• Project ID

P168539

• Project Title

OECS Regional Health Project

• Country

OECS Countries

• Notice No

OP00224744

• Notice Type

Request for Expression of Interest

• Notice Status

Published

• Borrower Bid Reference

TT-CARPHA-227516-CS-INDV

• Procurement Method

Individual Consultant Selection

• Language of Notice

English

• Submission Deadline Date/Time

May 12, 2023 12:00

• Published Date

Apr 25, 2023

• CONTACT INFORMATION
• Organization/Department

Caribbean Public Health Agency

• Name

Kern Cassell

• Address

16-18 Jamaica Boulevard Federation Park, Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago

• City

• Province/State

OECS Countries

• Postal Code

• Country

OECS Countries

• Phone

1-868-622-4261

• Email

casselke@carpha.org

• Website

www.carpha.org

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

Country – Trinidad and Tobago

Name of Project – OECS Regional Health Project (P168539)

Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: IDA-D5120

Assignment Title: Consultancy for the Development of an Action Plan for Regional Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies

Reference No.: TT-CARPHA-227516-CS-INDV

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the OECS Regional Health Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services for the Development of an Action Plan for Regional Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

To improve country and regional capacity to respond to Public Health Emergencies.

BRIEF SCOPE OF WORK

To develop a Regional Action Plan for Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies that will guide countries in responding to internal and external public health threats.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached with this REOI.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) now invites eligible consulting individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria is as follows:

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The candidate must possess the following qualifications and experience:

Academic Qualifications

• An advanced degree (at a minimum a Masters) in Public Health, Emergency Management, or a related field

Specific Experience

• At least 5 years of experience working in Public Health, Humanitarian, Emergency Management or related work experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in working in public health emergencies.
• At least 5 years of experience in design and implementation of emergency planning.

General Experience

• Demonstrated knowledge of work-based training and education programmes
• Demonstrated Experience in delivering presentations and leading working groups at meetings/workshops.
• Demonstrated broad knowledge of and the ability to utilize principles, methods, techniques and systems of project management.
• Proven ability to prioritize and manage time effectively, and contribute to a team environment of respect, recognition, and mutual accountability.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English – written and spoken

IT Skills

• Demonstrated ability to effectively use software programmes such as Microsoft Office Suite and online communication tools including MS Teams and Zoom.

Other requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in managing projects revolving around public health issues faced by Caribbean territories.
• Experience working with Caribbean countries will be an asset.

Duration of the assignment: The contract will be for a period of 6 months.

The attention of interested individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated July 2016, revised November 2017, and August 2018, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Please refer to paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations on conflict of interest related to this assignment which is available on the Bank’s website at http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/178331533065871195/Procurement-Regulations.pdf

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Monday to Friday.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 12th May 2023.

Caribbean Public Health Agency

Kern Cassell – Procurement Officer

16-18 Jamaica Boulevard, Federation Park

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Tel: 1-868-622-4261

Fax: 1-868-622-2792

E-mail: casselke@carpha.org

Terms of Reference

Activity 2.2.1.2

Individual Consultancy for the Development of an

Action Plan for Regional Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies

• Background

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is a regional Institution of the Caribbean Community; established on July 4, 2011, through the ratification of an Inter-Governments Agreement (IGA) by Heads of Member States of CARICOM in January 2013. The Agency is the Caribbean’s collective response to addressing public health issues including those related to Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases; mental health, disaster response, injuries and violence and workers health.

In so doing, CARPHA has subsumed the functions of the previous five Regional Health Institutions (RHI) – The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFHI), the Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC), the Caribbean Regional Drug Testing Laboratory (CRDTL) and the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI). The agency began operation in January 2013 with Headquarters in Port of Spain Trinidad and offices in Saint Lucia and Jamaica.

CARPHA’S mission is to provide strategic direction, in analysing, defining, and responding to public health priorities of Member States to prevent disease, promote health and respond to public health emergencies.

CARPHA plays a vital role in advising CARPHA Member States (CMS) on matters of Regional Health Security. Health, emergency preparedness and response coordination is listed in the Inter-Governmental agreement which established CARPHA; as one of the main functions of the Agency. As such, the Agency maintains close collaborative partnerships with regional preparedness and response agencies; such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Regional Security System and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS).

CARPHA has also supported the response to public health incidents such as the 2013/14 Chikungunya virus epidemic, preparedness for the possible introduction of Ebola into the region during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and the 2015/16 Zika virus epidemic. Additionally, CARPHA has responded to many outbreaks throughout the regions and more recently, has played a pivotal role in leading the regional response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. As a result, a number of activities related to Preparedness, Epidemiology and Laboratory, Communication, Public Information and Community Outreach, and Resource Mobilisation were performed.

Given the region’s vulnerability to multiple hazards such as disease outbreaks, earthquakes, tropical storms and volcanic eruptions; Country and Caribbean Regional plans have been developed to guide the responses to emergencies. Additionally, due to the tourism, travel, and immigration to the region; countries are vulnerable to the import and circulation of infectious diseases. Though wider regional plans exist, the unique cooperation between the OECS countries provides an opportunity for improved coordination in response to public health threats and emergencies.

Approved in August 2019, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Regional Health Project (RHP), is a five (5) year project funded by the World Bank and implemented across four CARPHA Member States (Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) and by CARPHA and the OECS Commission. The overall objective of the project is to (i) improve preparedness capacities of health systems for public health emergencies in the OECS region, and (ii) provide a response in the event of eligible crises or emergencies. To mitigate against the public health emergencies that are encountered in the region as a result of infectious disease outbreaks, extreme weather events and other climate change risks, this project seeks to address the weakness in the public health emergency systems through the proposed strengthening of the health systems.

This individual consultancy is aligned with Component 2, Activity 2.2.1: Development of a regional preparedness and response action plan for public health emergencies, specifically, Subcomponent 2.2.1.2 – Development of an Action Plan for Regional Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies. This individual consultancy will be responsible for the development of the Regional Action Plan. The consultant will engage in stakeholders’ meetings with in-country counterparts identified by CARPHA to clarify each country’s needs, capacities, goals, and objectives in responding to public health emergencies. This shall include consideration of countries’ experiences on the COVID-19 pandemic response, gaps identified, lessons learned and best practices. Additionally, the consultant will present the Final Draft of the plan at a three (3) day in-country stakeholder’s workshop, (location to be confirmed, subject to engagement with the Member State).

• Objective(s) of the Assignment

2.1 The overall objective is:

To improve country and regional capacity to respond to Public Health Emergencies

2.2 The purpose of this consultancy is:

To develop a Regional Action Plan for Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies that will guide countries in responding to internal and external public health threats.

• Scope of Services, Tasks (Components) and Expected Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to:

• Engage with OECS countries to understand their capacities and requirements for responding to public health emergencies in their country and in other countries. The consultant will gather documents from completed after action reviews and country multi hazard emergency response plans which were completed during other phases of the WB-OECS project. This country engagement will also include exploring the gaps uncovered, lessons learned, and best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic response and the management of multi-hazard, concurrent incidents. These will inform the development of the Action Plan.
• Review WB and other partner agencies’ activities in-country, and include them in the Action Plan; addressing specific activities related to preparedness and emergency management in health.
• Contribute towards the Regional Preparedness and Emergency Management in the Health Emergencies agenda and lead conversations during stakeholders’ meetings to ascertain the elements which need to be included in the development of the Action Plan.
• Develop a comprehensive Regional Action Plan for Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies which clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of the OECS countries and regional organisations in responding to public health emergencies.
• Incorporate into the Action Plan, best practices in the field of emergency response and lessons learned from regional emergency responses and simulation exercises previously completed.
• Contribute findings towards the design of a Regional Roadmap for implementation of the Regional Action Plan by the Regional Coordinating Mechanism for Health Security (RCM-HS), CMS and regional organizations.
• Incorporate the comments of the respective stakeholders into a Final Draft of the Regional Action Plan.

**The Project Manager will disseminate the plan to the OECS countries for input and comments. The comments generated will be collated and forwarded to the Consultant.

The expected deliverables are:

• Inception Report developed and submitted for the approval of the Project Manager

1.1. Engage in an initial briefing with the Project Manager and other relevant CARPHA personnel to discuss the scope of the work to be undertaken; the approach and any other issues pertaining to the Project upon the commencement of the Consultancy.

1.2. Design a template/structure for the Regional Action Plan

1.3. Prepare and submit for the approval of the Project Manager, an Inception Report which includes the template/structure of the Regional Action Plan, a list of internal and external stakeholders to be consulted for the development of the Plan, the timelines for the specific project activities and the methodology for the activities.

• First Draft Regional Action Plan for Response to Public Health Emergencies developed and submitted

2.1. Conduct a desk review and analysis of information on public health emergency and disaster preparedness and management priorities and activities of the region.

2.2. Participate in an initial stakeholders’ meeting to clarify the needs, requirement, and capacities of the participating countries and agencies. This meeting will be an opportunity for the consultant to ask probing questions to the CMS and relevant agencies about the needs and expectations for the Action Plan. The initial stakeholders’ meeting will be convened by CARPHA.

2.3. Consult with key internal and external stakeholders and secure their technical inputs to be incorporated into the Regional Action Plan to ensure synergies and linkages of the Regional Action Plan, with similar Plans from CARPHA as well as regional agencies and bodies, including the Regional Coordinating Mechanism for Health Security (RCM-HS), CDEMA and PAHO.

2.4. Conduct a regional risk assessment using country level risk assessments and interviews with regional partners (CARPHA, CDEMA, PAHO, OECS Commission, CARICOM, World Bank, and others) to determine the likely sources and impacts of public health emergencies for the region. This risk assessment will inform the development of the Action Plan and how countries will respond to emergencies.

2.5. Develop a first Draft of the Regional Action Plan, which must include the following core elements:

• The role of Early Warning Systems for Public Health Emergencies and what are the regional Early Warning Systems for the region and what systems countries should have in place.
• A risk assessment for the region including predicted impacts.
• The expectations of country level emergency preparedness and response and how that response could lead to activation of the Regional Action Plan
• Maintenance of emergency stockpiles including procedures for their release, replenishment, and distribution
• How to implement efficient response and relief during emergencies
• How to conduct the evaluation of response efforts and how to amend the Action Plan to cover gaps found during exercises or during a response
• Roles and responsibilities of OECS countries and regional organisations in responding to public health emergencies in other countries
• Best practices in the field of emergency response and lessons learned from regional emergency responses and simulation exercises previously completed
• A roadmap for countries and partner agencies to implement the plan including the needed training to ensure county personnel are prepared to respond to emergencies impacting the region

2.6. Incorporate the comments of internal and external stakeholders into a Final Draft of the Regional Action Plan. The Project Manager will have the responsibility of disseminating the plan to the OECS countries for input and comments. The comments will be collected and shared with the consultant.

• Final Draft of the Regional Action Plan presented to stakeholders at a regional workshop

3.1. Present the Regional Action Plan to the stakeholders at a 3 day in-person workshop. The location of the workshop has not yet been determined. (The Project Manager will assume responsibility for the administrative/logistical arrangements for the workshop.).

3.1.1 Explain the use of the Action Plan and how it can guide the CMS in response to threats and the linkages of the Regional Action Plan with Plans of other regional organisations active in Emergency Response.

3.2. Guide the design of a Regional Roadmap for implementation of the Regional Action Plan by the RCM-HS, CMS and regional organizations.

• Draft Final Report developed and submitted in accordance with the reporting requirements in Section 5 of these Terms of Reference.

The submission must be a comprehensive report comprising of the work conducted by the Consultant, the challenges encountered, and actions taken to address the identified challenges. The Action Plan Documents should be set out as an Annex to the Draft Final Report.

• Final Report developed and submitted in accordance with the reporting requirements in Section 5 of these Terms of Reference.

An indicative implementation schedule is provided below.

4. Qualification Requirements for the Consultant

The work requires the use of initiative and the capacity to work without close supervision, use of judgement, tact, and diplomacy. There is also the need to think and act quickly for immediate resolution of problems and situations.

Academic Qualifications

• An advanced degree (at a minimum a Masters) in Public Health, Emergency Management, or a related field

Specific Experience

• At least 5 years of experience working in Public Health, Humanitarian, Emergency Management or related work experience,
• At least 5 years of experience in working in public health emergencies
• At least 5 years of experience in design and implementation of emergency planning

General Experience

• Demonstrated knowledge of work-based training and education programmes
• Demonstrated Experience in delivering presentations and leading working groups at meetings/workshops
• Demonstrated broad knowledge of and the ability to utilize principles, methods, techniques and systems of project management
• Proven ability to prioritise and manage time effectively, and contribute to a team environment of respect, recognition, and mutual accountability.

Other requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in managing projects revolving around public health issues faced by Caribbean territories
• Experience working with Caribbean countries will be an asset

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English – written and spoken

IT Skills

• Demonstrated ability to effectively use software programmes such as the Microsoft Office Suite and online communication tools including MS Teams and Zoom.

5. Reporting Requirements and Time Schedule for Deliverables

• Reporting Requirements
• The intended start period is 3rd quarter 2023 and the period of implementation of the contract will be approximately six (6) months from this date.
• The assignment will be carried out under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, who will be responsible for approving all Reports of the Consultant.

The Contractor will submit the following reports to the Project Manager.

• Submission and approval of reports

All reports and outputs shall be submitted to the Project Manager in electronic form by email. The Project Manager is responsible for approving all submissions.

The Project Manager reserves the right to request any necessary revisions of the documents and submissions to reach an appropriate outcome and fulfil quality control requirements.

6. Client’s Input and Counterpart Personnel

• Services, facilities and property to be made available to the Consultant by the Client include:
• Material from previous and current emergency plans.
• Logistical arrangements for attendance at the meetings/workshop (Zoom access, country engagement, participant selection, materials) will be made by the Client
• Costs associated with travel and accommodation arrangements for the Consultant to attend the stakeholders’ meeting and workshop are to be borne by the Consultant (save for and except in cases of the consideration of extraordinary circumstances subject to the consideration of utilization of the most economical routes and CARPHA’s financial thresholds).
• No office accommodation is required and will not be provided by the Client.
• The Consultant shall be required to provide his/her personal computer (e.g., laptop or tablet) and Internet connectivity for use during this project.
• No equipment is to be purchased on behalf of the Contracting Authority/partner country as part of this service contract or transferred to the Contracting Authority/partner country at the end of this contract. Any equipment related to this contract which is to be acquired by the partner country must be purchased by means of a separate supply tender procedure.

• Professional and Support Counterpart Personnel assigned to the Consultant:

• The Project Manager will be designated by CARPHA and will have overall responsibility for the Project. The Project Manager will work closely with the Consultant to give guidance and to facilitate engagement for the development of materials.

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