Consultant P3

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the regional trauma operational and advisory team (TOpAT), in data collection, cleaning and analysis, using rigorous scientific methods. This will contribute to the development of the regional trauma and emergency care strategy for WHO in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).  Under the supervision of the Regional Trauma Specialist, the consultant will be required to make direct contact with a range of stakeholders. 2.Background There are over 133.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance globally, with 80% of that need driven by violent conflict.  The Eastern Mediterranean is the most affected region, with 74.8 million in need, representing 56% of the global total.^[1]  These complex emergencies have also impacted neighbouring countries, either directly or indirectly. Surging migrant and refugee populations further increase the demands on emergency and trauma systems, while the political context and bureaucratic constraints applied by local authorities can constrain strategic and system planning. Violent injury contributes a substantial disease burden in the region, especially in the on-going conflicts in Libya, occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan.   High incidence of violent injury requires sophisticated and well-resourced response mechanisms, placing enormous strains on already under-resourced and over-burdened health systems.  But traditionally, only a very small number of humanitarian agencies have developed capacities for providing trauma care in conflict settings.  Most humanitarian health agencies have not prioritized injury care in conflict because of mandate issues, security concerns and capacity and resource gaps; when non-specialized agencies do engage, it is too often uncoordinated and inconsistent with international standards.  But the growing burden of trauma in current-day humanitarian emergencies can no longer be ignored.  In several recent major humanitarian operations, WHO therefore has stepped in to lead and coordinate the trauma response. In spite of the demonstrated effectiveness of WHOs interventions, implementation of trauma services that apply best practice referral pathways and clinical care remains ad hoc and unpredictable, dependent on the technical and financial resources available at the time.  WHO is committed to ensure that effective trauma services are consistently established during humanitarian emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and to use these services to build the longer-term resilience of emergency medical systems. To do so, in 2020, WHO launched the regional trauma initiative, a high-level, dedicated trauma team that will directly support WHO country offices in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies that have a trauma component.  Although the primary focus with be EMR, the trauma team will also be available for technical and operational support to other WHO activities related to trauma and injury world-wide. 3.Planned timelines Start date: 1^st November 2020 End date: 31^st March 2020