Consultancy- To review and improve the Medical Policy in Humanitarian settings

Background

HelpAge International is a registered charity in the UK, leading an international network focused on ageing issues and supporting older people globally. HelpAge works with 171 partners in 90 countries to help older people claim their rights and challenge discrimination and poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives. HelpAge operates through a Global Team with staff based across the world. Through this structure HelpAge delivers its Strategy 2030.

Overview

HelpAge International is planning on working in Syria through HelpAge’s Network Member/partner funded by Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC). One of the components of the DEC programme will be mobile health units, made up doctors, nurses and other specialised health professionals. As part of their work, they will be dispensing front-line medication to people they meet. Therefore, there will be the procurement of medication which will be part of work plan.

HelpAge is looking for the expert who can conduct a due diligence and assess HelpAge’s Network Member/partner on their capacity, medicine policy and etc. The expert will ensure, analyse and advise that the policy is clear and suitable for humanitarian settings including providing the recommendation, action and monitoring plans.

Roles and responsibilities of the consultant

The expert is expected to work remotely and closely with member/s the Inclusive Humanitarian Action (IHA), Healthy Ageing Portfolio and Country team, who will be involved in this work to produce the deliverables/products as mutually agreed.

Key Activities

• Working with SEMA and IHA team to complete a partnership assessment for medical supplies and medical annex;
• Verify certifications and policies based on the assessment or make recommendations on any gaps or issues raised in that process; and
• Review the proposal and HelpAge’s current partnership manual to recommend if any additional assessments or supports would be needed for the partner across the life of the project with regards to medicines policy. (e.g. additional partner assessment checks, referencing, partnership approval, completion of donor risk assessments, sub-contracting, partner reporting, partner MEAL, exit strategy and plan).

Qualifications

• A medical doctor, clinician or pharmacist with appropriate knowledge/skills or in humanitarian setting experience or relevant experiences and skills;
• Having a country experience in Syria;
• Excellent ability to work remotely and closely with a team from a diverse group and with middle east culture and settings;
• Ability to analyse, communicate and present complex information in a simple, clear and concise way;
• Ability to work independently and responsively;
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English; and
• Time management.

Deliverables

A completed partnership assessment with accompanying recommendations on gaps or issues raised in the process and recommendations for further assessments or supports needed to ensure adherence to the medicines policy across the life of the project.

Equal Opportunities

HelpAge International is committed to creating an inclusive working environment, promoting and providing equal opportunities and respecting diversity in employment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Safeguarding

Everyone has a role in creating and sustaining a safe and respectful working environment, where no one comes to any harm or is maltreated. At HelpAge we take our responsibilities very seriously and will take action against wrongdoing. We will do everything we can to ensure that we do not engage people that pose a safeguarding risk and will undertake criminal record checks as required.

Diversity & Inclusion

HelpAge International is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all its employees/consultants while extending the culture of inclusion into our work.

We believe that our workforce should reflect the wide diversity of the communities we serve, and that diverse voices should be elevated and intentionally integrated into our work. We embrace difference and diversity of identity, experience, and thought, and actively strive for inclusive behaviors across our organization and work regardless of gender, race, disability, age, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, marital status, pregnancy, social status, and political beliefs.