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Qualifications
1. Purpose of consultancy
The World Health Organization (WHO) seeks an international consultant to review, update, and support the implementation of oncology-hematology guidelines in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), including the West Bank and Gaza. The goal is to align the guidelines with the latest evidence-based practices, international standards, and the specific needs of the Palestinian healthcare system.
The consultant will identify technical gaps, integrate advances in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care, and ensure a patient-centered approach. Working closely with local and international experts, the consultant will adapt best practices to local capacities.
Key responsibilities include drafting updated guidelines, developing training and dissemination strategies, and supporting implementation. The consultancy will also include monitoring and evaluation to ensure uptake and continuous improvement.
2. Background
The Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with WHO, has prioritized strengthening cancer control in Palestine, where cancer is the second leading cause of death, accounting for 14% of all deaths. Breast, colorectal, and lung cancers are the most common by incidence.
A prior collaboration between WHO and the European Investment Bank led to improved oncology services in the occupied Palestinian territory, culminating in a National Cancer Control Strategy and Action Plan. This comprehensive plan covers prevention, early detection, treatment, palliative care, and infrastructure investment.
Standardized clinical guidelines are central to ensuring evidence-based cancer care. The Palestinian Therapeutic Guidelines for Oncology and Hematology provide diagnostic and treatment recommendations for common cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, ovarian, and blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. The guidelines aim to meet international standards while fitting the local context.
However, areas for improvement remain. The guidelines need better alignment with WHO standards and should reduce reliance on costly treatments with limited benefit. To address this, WHO and MoH will update the oncology-hematology guidelines, ensuring they reflect current best practices and are adapted to Palestine’s needs. The consultant will lead this update, support implementation, and promote sustainability.
This work supports WHO’s broader efforts to improve cancer care through essential service packages and medication access, aligned with national priorities and global standards.
3.Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Start date: 01.06.2025
End date: 31.12.2025
4. Work to be performed
In collaboration with WHO HQ Cancer Technical Lead, WHO EMRO Cancer Team, WCO and MoH technical staff, the consultant will complete the following work/ deliverables:
Output 1: Review Existing Guidelines & Identify Gaps
Deliverable 1.1: Provide Inception Report based on initial consultations with WHO and MoH.
Deliverable 1.2: Analytical report on current practices and improvement areas.
Deliverable 1.3: provide report detailing outdated practices, gaps, and challenges.
Deliverable 1.4: Template for a restructured guideline framework (diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, etc.).
Output 2: Research Global & Regional Guidelines
Deliverable 2.1: Summary of international and regional best practices to inform the update.
Output 3: Draft Updated Guidelines.
Deliverable 3.1: Prioritized interventions aligned with system capacity.
Deliverable 3.2: Draft updated guidelines integrating evidence, feasibility, and feedback.
Deliverable 3.3: Compliance report highlighting gaps and adaptation strategies.
Deliverable 3.4: Final refined draft for MoH approval.
Deliverable 3.5: Integrated guidance on multidisciplinary care and complication management.
Output 4: Develop Implementation Tools
Deliverable 4.1: Supplementary materials and training tools.
Deliverable 4.2: Implementation plan with M&E framework and dissemination strategy.
Output 5: Launch Guidelines
Deliverable 5.1: Workshops and stakeholder presentations with summary report.
Deliverable 5.2: Ongoing technical assistance during rollout.
Output 6: Finalization & Reporting
Deliverable 6.1: Final, approved guidelines document.
Deliverable 6.2: Comprehensive final report with methodology, findings, and future recommendations.
The above tasks will be accomplished through:
- Conducting analysis of current guidelines and guidelines from neighboring countries, as well as the latest best practices and standards in cancer medicine.
- Facilitating meetings and discussions with WHO CO, WHO RO, and WHO HQ Cancer technical lead to clarify and enhance the findings as necessary
- Engaging with MOH representatives, oncologists, hematologists, and other stakeholders to gather input and insights, summarizing feedback for incorporation into the updated guidelines.
- Consultation with international experts whenever needed to ensure that the updated guidelines reflect globally recognized standards and innovative approaches in cancer treatment, thereby fostering a comprehensive and evidence-based framework that is adaptable to local contexts.
5. Specific requirements
Qualifications required:
Essential: Minimum an advanced university degree (master’s level or equivalent) in medicine, oncology, hematology or public health, or a related field.
Desirable:
Experience required:
Essential: From 7-10 years of relevant clinical work experience in Oncology-Hematology medicine is essential.
Experience in guidelines development or revising clinical guidelines or guidelines is preferred, as well as experience in developing policies/strategies with international exposure.
Desirable:
Skills and technical Knowledge:
· Expert technical knowledge on operationalizing health sector reforms through policy, planning, and service delivery
· Knowledge of health systems and noncommunicable diseases, with expert knowledge in oncology-hematology clinical practice
· Familiarity with the healthcare context in the West Bank, Palestine or similar contexts
· Experience working with health ministries and international organizations is an advantage.
· Strong analytical, report writing, and communication skills.
· Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
· Strong computer skills including experience with Office applications of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word as well as analytical tools and programs.
Language requirements:
Required: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate level Arabic (speaking and writing).
6. Place of assignment
Off site: Home based.
7. Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
8. Travel
The consultant will perform the work at the location of his or her choosing.
Travel is anticipated to occupied Palestinian territory for approximately 30- 40 days.
All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.
Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed
Additional Information :
This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
A written test may be used as a form of screening.
If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice. WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html