National Consultant for Burns Care in Mass Casualty Incidents

Purpose of consultancy

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS) at the Ukraine Country Office (CO) level, the Consultant will be responsible for drafting a framework for BAT, regulatory documents, draft protocols, and SOPs for the establishment and effective operation of specialized Burn Assessment Teams, in accordance with WHO standards for mass incident response. The Consultant will also be tasked with developing a training programme for Burn Assessment Teams, conducting training sessions, and providing technical expert advice during the creation and deployment of the national Burn Assessment Teams

Background  

The Russian Federation’s relentless aggression against Ukraine has been marked by widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, resulting in catastrophic loss of life and long-term human suffering. One of the most devastating examples is the missile strike on Vinnytsia on July 14, 2022, which claimed the lives of 29 people, including three children. More than 200 individuals were injured in the attack, many suffering from severe burns and life-threatening trauma. This tragic event underscores the immense toll on human life and the overwhelming pressure placed on local healthcare systems in the wake of such attacks. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) verified a total of 39,081 civilian casualties during Russia's invasion of Ukraine as of October 31, 2024. Of them, 26,919 people were reported to have been injured. Explosions and fires resulting from missile and drone strikes have further increased the risk of burns, leaving survivors with long-term physical and psychological scars.    

The ongoing conflict emphasizes the need for Ukraine to enhance its capacity to respond to mass burn casualty incidents. Taking into account the above and following the approval of the WHO Burns in Mass Casualty Management protocol, the establishment of specialized Burn Assessment Teams (BAT), and Burn Specialized Teams (BST) improving the coordination of burn centers across regions are critical steps to ensure adequate coordination and clinical outcomes of similar events. The incident in Vinnytsia and other cities serve as a tragic reminder of the human cost of war, reinforcing the importance of building a resilient healthcare system capable of addressing the complex challenges posed by modern conflict.  

In December 2024 the 2-day workshop was successfully conducted, with a total of 55 participants. A key focus of the workshop was the introduction of the newly published “Standards and recommendations for burns care in mass casualty incidents”. Developed by the WHO Emergency Medical Team Initiative (EMT Initiative) from 2017–2019 and 2020–2023, these guidelines outline minimum care protocols to improve health system resilience during burns mass casualty incidents.  

The diverse and experienced group of leading burn specialists reached a consensus in favor of implementing BAT practices and integrating them into Ukraine's healthcare system. The presence of trained personnel, including MoH leadership, who are familiar with EMT programs, was identified as a key foundation for institutionalizing BAT. Ukraine has all the key components needed to successfully advance this burn initiative. These include a pool of highly qualified specialists with modern knowledge and practices, established burn centers that uphold decades-long traditions of burn care, and a willingness to adapt local practices to align with global standards.

Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible to provide specialist technical support to the EMS team of WHO CO for the development of minimum technical standards of a Burn Assessment Team (BAT) and the development of a curriculum on training programme for BATs, and mentorship during BAT creation. 

Output 1: To develop of minimum technical standards, standard operating procedures, clinical practice guidelines, medical response plans for Burn Assessment Team and Burn Specialized Teams, a guidance document for teams responding to health emergencies in armed conflicts and other insecure environments. 

Activity 1.1 Develop at least one (1) national guideline, at least ten (10) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the clinical, coordination and/or logistical management of BAT and establishment and effective operation of BAT based on the WHO standards for burn mass incident response, in Q2–Q4 2025.

Activity 1.2 Draft SOPs at least 5 (five), patient routes at least for two regions, protocols for interaction between EMS, BATs and burn centers to respond to mass burn casualty incidents in Q2 - 4 2025.

Activity 1.3 Develop standardized list of equipment and consumables for the self-sufficient operation of the BAT in a general hospital for 3 days, relying on the hospital's infrastructure in Q2-4 2025.

Output 2: Support the establishment of new training programs and ensure that quality-assured advanced BAT training is being supported and delivered to the EMS and hospital-level facilities

Activity 2.1 Collaborate with the EMS Officer and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to design a curriculum for a Provider and ToT course based on the WHO basic burn care course and implementation plan within the EMS training system in Q2–Q3 2025. This activity involves reviewing the WHO Basic Pre-Hospital Burn Care Course and the Advanced Burn Care Course, subject to their availability from WHO HQ by Q3, to assess their alignment with the Ukrainian healthcare system and evaluate their relevance, feasibility for integration, and necessary adaptations for effective implementation.

Activity 2.2 Design full package of training program for BAT onboarding, including curriculum, educational materials consisting, lectures, along with supporting resources such as case studies, practical exercises, and assessment tools to ensure effective delivery and participant engagement in Q2–Q3 2025.

Activity 2.3 Conduct at least three BAT training sessions using a newly developed training program for a group of medical personnel (four doctors and six nurses) from two burn centers of different levels in Q3–Q4 2025.

Output 3: Enhanced national framework for the response to mass burn casualty incidents and strengthened professional collaboration among key stakeholders, with the Burn Assessment Team playing a leading role.

Activity 3.1 Develop methodological guidelines on triage procedures for a three-level triage system to response to mass burn casualty incidents for healthcare facilities of different levels in Q3–Q4 2025.

Activity 3.2 Provide technical expert advice and review the performance, communication protocols, patient referral procedures, patient flows, and BAT interaction skills between EMS, BATs, and burn centers during its creation in Q2–Q4 2025.

Activity 3.3 Prepare and conduct, in collaboration with the EMS Team, online meetings and discussions among burns specialists from different burn centers to foster professional connections (at least four online meetings) in Q2–Q4 2025.

Output 4: Support strengthening trauma management at the national level by enhancing early hospital interventions, and EMT team capabilities. 

Activity 4.1 Provide technical review and formulate inputs on the Trauma management assessment on early hospital level of Emergency care in pilot facilities

Activity 4.2 Suggest technical inputs for drafting operational SOPs for the trauma team concept approach with the support of the EMS officer and HERP consultant. 

Activity 4.3 Create and present a possible implementation plan for the trauma team concept in pilot facilities and on the national level.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

Desirable: 

Experience

Essential:

Desirable:

Skills/Knowledge

Languages and level required 

Essential:

Desirable: 

Location 

Kyiv (25% in the office, 75% remote)

Travel

The consultant will be expected to undertake short travel within and outside of Ukraine to support various trainings, technical and other meetings as required.     

Expected duration of contract 

8 months, from 05 May 2025 till 31 December 2025 (subject to extension)

Remuneration and budget

Contract total value: 25 456 USD
Numbers of the working days per contract: 160 (20 working days per month)
Consultant pay band range:  NOB National Consultant
Terms of payment: Payment is made upon completion of the deliverables according to the payment schedule in accordance with the TOR.

Additional Information:

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