JOB DESCRIPTION

 

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE WORK 

This project aims to develop a standardized Rapid Health Needs Assessment (RHNA) tool tailored to Iran’s health system to enhance preparedness and response capacity of primary health system to emergencies & disasters. The tool will be designed to:  

 

Identifying fields of information need to be gathered for health system rapid needs assessment  

Developing data sheets and methods for health system rapid needs assessment  

Developing an online system for reporting information of community health needs  

This tool will primarily serve healthcare workers, emergency responders, and decision-makers who require real-time health data to guide response efforts at the time of emergency. Hence, the target population for the Rapid Health Needs Assessment (RHNA) tool includes disaster-affected communities, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as children, women, refugees, and populations in underserved rural and urban areas.  

 The geographical scope of this tool encompasses high-risk provinces and regions prone to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. These include seismically active areas, flood-prone provinces, drought-affected rural regions, and refugee-hosting communities, where rapid assessment of health needs is critical for effective emergency response and resource allocation. 

 

By ensuring rapid assessment of health needs within the first 24 hours of a crisis, the tool will: 

 

• Improve emergency response efficiency by enabling authorities to prioritize resources and interventions based on real-time data.

• Enhance health system resilience by integrating rapid assessment into Iran’s emergency operations framework.

• Support vulnerable populations by ensuring timely access to life-saving healthcare services during disasters.

 METHODOLOGY 

The development of a Rapid Health Needs Assessment (RHNA) tool follows a structured systemic, evidence-based methodology to enhance Iran’s emergency health response. The process will be conducted in collaboration with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, ensuring the tool is tailored to the specific needs of Iran. The methodology includes but is not limited to the following key steps:  

1. Literature review of global best practices and existing methodologies including WHO protocols and other relevant frameworks

2. Performing a qualitative study to identify the specific health system needs and gaps in Iran, ensuring the tool addresses local requirements

3. Stakeholder engagement and expert consultation using the Delphi method to refine and finalize data collection tool

4. Development of standardized data collection tool which is comprehensive, adaptable, and user friendly and cover all relevant health indicators

5. Conducting pilot test of the tool in various settings to validate the tool and incorporate feedback from the field workers and stakeholders to refine the tool

6. Development of an online reporting system to facilitate timely and accurate data entry, management and analysis

7. Providing training and capacity-building for health workers on the use of the RHNA tool.

 

 This participatory approach, led by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, ensures that the RHNA tool is tailored to Iran’s context, enabling authorities to assess health needs within the first 24 hours of an emergency. The tool will strengthen national health system resilience, improve resource allocation, and support coordinated emergency responses, ultimately safeguarding the health of vulnerable populations, especially children and women. 

ACTIVITIES, DELIVERABLES, TIMELINES AND PAYMENTS 

 

Under the direct supervision of UNICEF and MoHME focal point, the consultant will deliver below under direct supervision of MoHME:  

ACTIVITY:

Providing detailed technical inception report outlining the conceptual framework and proposed methodology in line with the objectives of the consultancy

DELIVERABLES:

Inception report agreed by UNICEF and MOHME

ESTIMATED TIME:   upon commencement of work

ACTIVITY:

A systemic Literature review on available standard frameworks, global and local tools, and robust methodologies for development of rapid health need assessment tools  

DELIVERABLES:

Report of the review study results  

ESTIMATED TIME:

30 Days 

ACTIVITY:

Conducting a comprehensive qualitative study to identify and document specific experiences and needs of Iran’s health system, ensuring that RHNA tool addresses local requirements

DELIVERABLES:

Comprehensive report of the results of qualitative study detailing the key areas of needs including the cultural and local considerations  

ESTIMATED TIME:

50 Day 

ACTIVITY:

A Delphi method to refine and finalize data collection tool and method  

DELIVERABLES:

Report on documented process of Delphi method and refined and finalized data collection tool and method  

ESTIMATED TIME:

50 Days

 

ACTIVITY:

Development and verification of a Rapid Health Needs Assessment Tool  

DELIVERABLES:

Final report on pilot testing of the tool. Finalized version of the tool based on the feedback from the field  

ESTIMATED TIME:

20 Days 

ACTIVITY:

Training and capacity building for health workers 

ESTIMATED TIME:

30 Days

 

N.B. All reports and presentations should be submitted in English  

 The consultant/s will work under direct supervision of MoHME and UNICEF Health and Nutrition Specialist;  

The consultant/s will work under direct supervision of MoHME and UNICEF Health and Nutrition Specialist;  

The trips and missions to the field will be organized and supported by UNICEF.  

All the deliverables and products need to follow UNICEF principles and relevant templates and guidelines. 

The consultant shall use her/his own facilities to manage the work, but, where circumstances demand otherwise, shall be allowed to make use of available UNICEF office space, computer and internet facilities with prior notification and arrangement with the supervisor and UNICEF Admin/ICT. 

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION 

Financial proposal: 30 

Technical qualification: 70  

Total Score: 100 

 

 

 To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

The project seeks to identify an individual consultant that fulfill the criteria below and have demonstrated the ability to involve key stakeholders to provide relevant expertise and bring a wider perspective in development of the tool.

Regarding the nature of work, a consultant should be selected with below qualification:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as Medicine, Public Health, Public Health Emergency, and other related fields

• Proven expertise and at least five years of experience in conducting assessments of humanitarian or health emergency response programmes.

• Have proven strong research and methodological skills necessary for designing and validating assessment tools

• Sound knowledge of international standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices in related to health assessment tools and data privacy

• Have proven experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative studies for the humanitarian and/or development sector and have access to technical expertise related to the study topics.

• Previous experience working with UN agencies or international organizations is desirable.

• Knowledge of health and health emergency context in Iran (and the region) is a strong advantage.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for the next recruitment formalities.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

 

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements