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For every child, safety!
Uzbekistan, located in the Central Asian Region, has experienced a significant increase in cross-border movements of people, livestock, and goods due to globalization. This increased flow has raised concerns about the potential spread of infectious diseases. Furthermore, the emergence of novel viral infections on a global scale, such as COVID-19 and Ebola, has highlighted the need for robust public health infrastructure to effectively respond to health emergencies.
In 2012, Uzbekistan ratified the International Health Regulations (IHR - 2005), committing to promptly notify the World Health Organization (WHO) about the occurrence and spread of highly dangerous infections. The Ministry of Health and Committee on Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health (CSEWPH) of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been entrusted with ensuring public sanitary and epidemiological welfare.
Uzbekistan underwent a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of its core capacities for International Health Regulations (IHR) in May 2022. The evaluation was conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and assessed the country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health risks. The mission report was published on April 25, 2023, and is available on the WHO website 1. The report provides a detailed analysis of Uzbekistan’s IHR core capacities and outlines the country’s strengths and areas for improvement. The report highlights Uzbekistan’s need to enhance its emergency preparedness and response capacity to effectively address multi-hazard emergencies, including highly contagious and dangerous infections and epidemics. The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) are the key institutions responsible for ensuring public health and safety during emergencies. To support these efforts, an international consultant is required to provide technical expertise and guidance in strengthening the emergency preparedness and response capacity of MoH, CSEWPH and MES.
Objective
To provide expert guidance on the establishment, operation, and optimization of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOC) in Uzbekistan. The objective is to develop comprehensive operational guidelines, integrate advanced technologies —such as computers, display screens, communication equipment, and digital systems for real-time data management, surveillance, and coordination— advise on facility design and planning, and facilitate the training of relevant staff and stakeholders, with a particular consideration and emphasis on public health emergencies based on global practices.
Scope of Work:
Under the supervision of Emergency, Climate Change and DRR Officer and in collaboration with UNICEF health section team, the international consultant will undertake the following activities:
➢ Support to identify the technical needs of the PHEOC as per global standards:
- Guide and support with type, technical specifications of the required IT and other supporting equipment intended for PHEOC as per global standards.
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Recommend suitable software tools for real-time data sharing, data analysis, crisis communication platforms, and systems for managing large-scale emergency data analysis to enhance operational efficiency and situational awareness.
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Provide a detailed report outlining the recommended technologies and systems, with a focus on scalability, interoperability, and long-term sustainability.
➢ Provide Facility Design Recommendations:
- Advise on the design and layout of the PHEOCs in Termez and Nukus, ensuring that it is optimized for efficient operations, space utilization, and security during emergencies as per global PHEOC standards.
- Include considerations for public health emergencies in the design, with the flexibility to accommodate different types of crises.
- Collaborate with engineers and relevant stakeholders to finalize facility design with concrete recommendations for the two PHEOCs.
➢ Development of Comprehensive Operational Guidelines for the PHEOC and Functions within:
- Draft detailed operational guidelines/manual for the PHEOC, including ToRs of roles and responsibilities of staff within PHEOC (as per structure), the number of staff members, SOPs for various emergency scenarios, and coordination protocols, ensuring alignment with international health regulations (IHR 2005) and guidelines from organizations such as WHO, FEMA, and other relevant frameworks.
- Ensure alignment with WHO standards and best practices for public health emergencies.
- Engage with key stakeholders to gather input and validate the operational guidelines.
- Ensure the operational guidelines include clear objectives, communication protocols, and reporting procedures.
➢ Development of Training Programs and Facilitation of Simulation Exercises:
- Develop comprehensive training programmes covering operational procedures, emergency response strategies, and coordination among stakeholders.
- Design and facilitate hands-on training workshops and simulations that prepare PHEOC staff and stakeholders for real-world emergency scenarios.
- Incorporate public health considerations into the training to ensure that all personnel are prepared to respond effectively to health-related emergencies.
- Provide recommendations for continuous capacity building and improvement in training methods.
➢ Evaluation and Improvement of Training Effectiveness:
- Implement a feedback mechanism to assess the effectiveness of training programs, including performance assessments and post-exercise debriefs.
- Analyze feedback from participants and stakeholders to refine and improve training content and delivery methods.
- Provide a final report on the outcomes of the training sessions, highlighting strengths, areas for improvement, and recommendations for future training cycles.
➢ Coordination with Local Consultants:
- Review and provide recommendations for the final versions of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for approval and endorsement by relevant stakeholders, incorporating recommendations from the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and the International Health Regulations (2005) including the recommendations from Phase I of the project.
- Review and provide recommendations for the final versions of annual work plans for the PHEOCs in Termez and Nukus, as well as standard operational plan for Uzbekistan's PHEOCs.
- Collaborate with the local consultants involved in supporting emergency preparedness and response initiatives whenever required.
Work Assignments Overview - Deliverables/Outputs - Timeline
- Conduct a technological needs assessment to identify the requirements for effective communication, data management, and emergency response within the PHEOC.
- Recommend appropriate technological systems and tools, such as crisis communication platforms, data management systems for real-time situational awareness.
- Prepare a detailed report summarizing the findings of the assessment and providing clear recommendations for the adoption of relevant technologies.
- Ensure that recommended systems are scalable and support the long-term needs of the PHEOC, including integration with other systems.
A technological needs assessment report outlining recommended technological tools and systems for communication, data management, and emergency response - 10 August 2025
- Provide expert advice on the design and layout of the PHEOC to optimize its functionality, focusing on space utilization, operational flow, and security.
- Collaborate with architects and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the facility design supports the needs of the PHEOC during high-stress emergency situations.
- Ensure that the facility design accommodates public health emergency considerations, including isolation areas, effective communication setups, and flexibility for varying emergency scenarios.
- Deliver a comprehensive report with facility design recommendations and visual layout proposals.
A report advising on the design and layout of the PHEOC to optimize its functionality - 20 August 2025
- Develop a finalized comprehensive operational guidelines document detailing the roles and responsibilities of staff, SOPs for various emergency scenarios, and coordination protocols, with a focus on public health integration.
- Engage with key stakeholders to review current operational structures, identify gaps, and integrate public health considerations.
- Ensure the guidelines align with WHO standards for emergency response and include clear, actionable procedures for PHEOC staff and external stakeholders.
- Provide validation of the guidelines through consultations and feedback sessions with relevant stakeholders.
A Finalized Comprehensive Operational Guidelines (now fewer than 50 pages) detailing the roles and responsibilities of staff, SOPs for emergency scenarios, and coordination protocols, with a focus on public health integration - 20 September 2025
- Develop detailed training programs and modules for PHEOC staff and relevant stakeholders, covering operational procedures, emergency response strategies, and public health protocols.
- Design and facilitate simulation exercises and hands-on workshops to help staff and stakeholders practice emergency response in real-world scenarios.
- Assess training effectiveness through feedback mechanisms, including surveys and post-exercise debriefs, to identify areas for improvement.
- Revise training materials as needed based on feedback to ensure they remain aligned with operational guidelines and public health response standards.
Detailed training programmes and modules for PHEOC staff and stakeholders, along with simulation exercises - 16 October 2025
- Collect feedback from participants following the training sessions and simulation exercises through surveys and interviews.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the training based on performance outcomes, such as the ability to apply SOPs and make decisions under pressure during simulations.
- Identify areas for improvement in the training programs, including content, delivery methods, and engagement.
- Prepare a final evaluation report summarizing feedback and outcomes, with actionable recommendations to improve future training programs.
- Review and provide recommendations for the final versions of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for approval and endorsement by relevant stakeholders, incorporating insights from the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and the International Health Regulations (2005).
- Review and provide recommendations for the final versions of work plans for 2025–2026 for the PHEOCs in Termez and Nukus, as well as for a 3–5-year operational plan for Uzbekistan's PHEOCs.
- Oversee and coordinate the activities of local consultants involved in supporting emergency preparedness and response initiatives, as needed.
A final comprehensive report that includes:
- A summary of feedback and outcomes from training exercises, with recommended improvements for future training.
- Recommendations based on the review process of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work plans for the PHEOCs in Termez and Nukus, as well as the 3–5-year operational plan for Uzbekistan's PHEOCs - 22 November 2025.
Total: 45 w/d
Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 45 working days to undertake this assignment, without travel fees as these will be reimbursed as and when they take place.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management, Epidemiology, Health Systems Management, or a closely related field is required. Candidates with academic backgrounds in other disciplines may also be considered, provided they demonstrate substantial relevant experience in public health emergency preparedness or similar assignments.
- Minimum of 5–7 years of relevant experience in public health emergency preparedness and response, including in consultancy or advisory roles.
- Demonstrated experience in developing operational guidelines, protocols, and standard operating procedures for health emergency preparedness and response.
- Direct experience collaborating with governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations on health emergency response, particularly in Central Asia.
- Knowledge of Central Asia—especially Uzbekistan’s context, institutional structures, and operational engagement with ministries—is considered an asset.
- Strong understanding of international best practices in public health emergency preparedness and response.
- Experience in designing and facilitating training programmes and simulation exercises for emergency response teams.
- Proven ability to assess the effectiveness of training programmes and revise them based on participant feedback.
- Familiarity with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) framework.
- Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
- Strong communication and facilitation skills, particularly in multi-stakeholder settings.
- Experience working in Uzbekistan or similar contexts is considered an advantage.
- Fluency in English is required.
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about children’s rights and making a lasting difference on children’s lives, one of the global leading entities on children’s rights would like to hear from you.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of children’s rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.
All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
