International Consultant: Quality Enhancement of Infection Prevention and Control, Logistics and Hygiene Standards for MEDEVAC Operations in Ukraine

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2603803
• Contractual arrangement: External consultant
• Contract duration: 10 months
• Organization: EU_UKR WHO Country Office, Ukraine
• Schedule: Part-time
• Closing date: Sep 15, 2026, 12:59:00 AM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

..Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to lead Phase 2 of WHO technical support for IPC, WASH and logistics standards within WHO supported MEDEVAC operations, with a focus on measurable quality of services enhancement, sustainability and scalability.
Phase 2 is designed as a continuation of Phase 1 and moves decisively from technical development toward operationalisation, monitoring, mentorship and institutional capacity strengthening, with Lviv Regional EMS as the primary implementation site.
In addition, and subject to WHO priorities and operational feasibility, the consultancy provides a structured framework for progressive extension of selected tools, training materials and technical approaches to other EMS systems-actors involved in MEDEVAC operations, ensuring coherence, harmonization and efficiency across multiple contexts.

Background

Since early 2022, the WHO supported Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) mechanism from Ukraine to EU/EEA countries has constituted the largest international patient evacuation operation supported by WHO to date. Ukrainian emergency medical services (EMS), particularly the Lviv Regional Emergency Medical Service, play a central operational role in ensuring safe, coordinated and clinically appropriate transfers of patients across borders and within Ukraine.
In recognition of heightened risks related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), infection prevention and control (IPC), logistics coordination and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) during medical evacuation and repatriation, WHO implemented Phase 1 of a dedicated technical consultancy between January and June 2026. Phase 1 focused on analysis, system design and foundation building, delivering:

•    Standard operating procedures (SOPs) and tools for IPC, WASH and MEDEVAC logistics;
•    Vehicle zoning and decontamination protocols adapted to EMS and ambulance bus fleets;
•    Training architectures and materials;
•    An EMT verification readiness framework; and
•    A documented baseline using WHO aligned monitoring and assessment methodologies.

While Phase 1 established the technical foundation, sustained risk reduction and service quality improvement require implementation fidelity, structured monitoring, institutionalisation and capacity transfer. Phase 2 therefore constitutes a distinct and more advanced consultancy phase, focused on embedding systems into routine operations, achieving measurable quality of services improvements, and enabling progressive ownership by Ukrainian counterparts.

Deliverables

The planned level of effort for the deliverables below is 140 working days in total.

Deliverable 1: Implementation and scale-up of IPC, WASH and logistics standards (45 days)
Activity 1.1: Ensure consistency of IPC materials with WHO IPC practices used at WCO level through consultation with WCO IPC colleagues.
Activity 1.2: Embed Phase 1 SOPs, tools and workflows into routine MEDEVAC operations at Lviv Regional EMS and other agreed operational interfaces.
Activity 1.3: Align IPC, MDRO-related documentation and logistics procedures along the Ukrainian MEDEVAC chain, including corridor-level requirements where applicable.
Activity 1.4: Provide technical input to other EMS systems involved in MEDEVAC operations, where feasible and requested by WHO, with emphasis on harmonisation rather than parallel systems.
Activity 1.5: Ensure consistent application of core IPC, WASH and logistics standards, while documenting justified contextual adaptations.
 

Deliverable 2: Monitoring, audit and quality improvement (32 days)
Activity 2.1: Implement structured IPC monitoring and audit cycles aligned with WHO IPC Core Components.
Activity 2.2: Produce periodic audit and feedback reports with trend analysis and targeted improvement recommendations.
Activity 2.3: Conduct scheduled reassessments using WHO-aligned assessment tools to demonstrate measurable progression from the Phase 1 baseline.
 

Deliverable 3: Training, mentorship and capacity transfer (40 days)
Activity 3.1: Deliver IPC, WASH and logistics training to two successive cohorts of CDM and EMS staff, as determined by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and Lviv Regional EMS, using a train-the-trainer approach.
Activity 3.2: Conduct simulation-based training using operational MEDEVAC vehicles and realistic patient transfer scenarios.
Activity 3.3: Design, structure and package training materials for providers and trainers, including slides, facilitator notes, scenarios, drills and assessment tools, for reuse and contextual adaptation by EMS systems without redevelopment.
 

Deliverable 4: EMT verification readiness and institutionalisation (16 days)
Activity 4.1: Prepare EMT verification documentation and evidence portfolio inputs.
Activity 4.2: Conduct a gap analysis against WHO EMT Minimum Standards and propose remediation measures.
Activity 4.3: Establish formal IPC governance arrangements with CDM and Lviv Regional EMS, including defined roles, reporting lines and routine monitoring mechanisms.
Activity 4.4: Develop a sustainability and handover package consolidating responsibilities, tools and maintenance arrangements.
 

Deliverable 5: Reporting and knowledge management (7 days)
Activity 5.1: Submit monthly progress reports in accordance with WHO requirements.
Activity 5.2: Produce a consolidated end-of-consultancy report documenting outcomes, lessons learned and recommendations.
Activity 5.3: Develop a replication-ready package identifying core and adaptable components of the tools and materials.
Activity 5.4: Contribute to WHO knowledge-sharing across MEDEVAC corridors through reusable materials and train-the-trainer outputs, as appropriate.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in public health, WASH, emergency management, humanitarian response or a related field.
• Proven expertise in infection prevention and control (IPC), WASH in health emergencies, and medical logistics systems design.
   

Desirable:

• Advanced level University degree in health-related science.  
• Certification or formal training in Emergency Medical Teams, WHO IPC standards, or Health Emergency Operation

 

Experience

Essential:

•  15 years of progressive responsibility and professional experience in international emergency response, including lead technical roles in IPC, WASH, or emergency logistics..
•  At least 10 years experience with supporting Emergency Medical Teams in their certification processes.
•  Demonstrated experience designing and leading national or multi-country operational frameworks for IPC and hygiene in emergency health contexts. Proven record of developing technical standards, guidance, and tools for WHO or comparable global health actors.
• Strong technical knowledge of the WHO-standards and guidance documents related to the field of IPC, hygiene and logistics in emergency health related activities.
•  Proven experience developing SOPs, guidance documents and training materials aligned with WHO standards.
• Familiarity with MEDEVAC or cross-border patient transfer operations under complex emergency conditions.
•  Current familiarity with the MEDEVAC operational activities from Ukraine to EU/EEA countries. 
• Strong partner networking and engagement skills and able to work with a diverse team of technical experts from different organizations and agencies.  
• Experience in developing and delivering training to healthcare professionals and affiliated staff.
   

Desirable:

• Previous experience with other UN agencies, EU institutions, recognized humanitarian organizations or non-governmental organizations and collaborating with national authorities such as MoH and EMS is desirable.
•  Flexible and able to work in multi-cultural and volatile environments.
• Proven planning, organizing and communication (written and verbal) skills.  
• Computer literacy is complemented by excellent presentation techniques and skills.

 

Skills/Knowledge

Essential:

• Strong technical knowledge of WHO standards and guidance related to IPC, hygiene, WASH and logistics in emergency health activities.
• Ability to apply WHO IPC Core Components, WHO-aligned assessment tools and EMT Minimum Standards in non-standard operational settings.
• Strong analytical skills for audit, trend analysis, feedback and quality-improvement recommendations.

• Strong planning, organisation and communication skills, including written reporting and facilitation.

   

Desirable:

• Excellent presentation techniques and computer literacy.
• Ability to package technical materials for reuse and contextual adaptation by other EMS systems.

 

Languages and level required

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and at least one other WHO official language.
Desirable: Basic knowledge of another WHO official language.

Location

On-site for insurance purposes: The consultant will be home-based but required to travel

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel. Travel is anticipated to include missions to Lviv, Ukraine. Exact dates, locations and purposes should be confirmed.

Remuneration

Contract total value: USD 77,000
Monthly rate, daily rate and number of days: USD 550 per working day, 140 working days in total; monthly payment subject to approval of a monthly report
Consultant pay band range: Consultancy Band C, mid-level
Terms of payment: Payment on a monthly basis after submission of a progress report and approval by the Responsible Officer. Final payment subject to delivery and approval of the consolidated end-of-consultancy report and agreed knowledge/training package.

Expected duration of contract

Target Start Date: 1 October 2026, to be confirmed following completion of advertisement, screening and assessment process
Target end date: 30 June 2027
Contract Duration: 140 working days, over 10 months

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.
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