Biosafety and Biosecurity Consultant

State of Palestine

Ministry of Health

Projects Management Unit (PMU)

Health System Efficiency and Resiliency Project (HSERP)

Request for Expressions of Interest

(Consulting Services)

Name of Project: Health System Efficiency and Resilience Project (HSERP)

Assignment Title: National Consultant for Assessment of Current Biosafety and Biosecurity Practices

Reference No.: MOH-WB/HSERP-AF-CS6

The Ministry of Health has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Additional Financing to the Health System Efficiency and Resilience Project (HSERP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards the cost of hiring a national consultant to support the international expert for assessment of biosafety and biosecurity practices, by facilitating engagement with local stakeholders, managing data collection to ensure a successful and contextually relevant assessment, and providing training that would close the priority gaps. The consultant will work under leadership of the international expert for assessment of biosafety and biosecurity practices. The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support the international expert in the assessment and preparation of recommendations

• Support international expert in development of the assessment methodology and work plan.
• Translate key documents, assessment tools, and materials into Arabic as needed to facilitate local stakeholder understanding.
• Coordinate with the international expert to implement the assessment work plan.
• Assist in contextualizing global biosafety and biosecurity standards to align with national policies and practices.
• Facilitation of Stakeholder Engagement

• Organize and facilitate workshops, interviews, and meetings between the international expert and local stakeholders, including laboratory managers, biosafety officers, and public health officials.
• Serve as a liaison between the international expert and the Ministry of Health (MOH), laboratories, and other national entities.
• Facilitate workshops with local stakeholders and summarize workshop outputs for the international expert.
• Data Collection and Analysis

• Conduct data collection in collaboration with laboratory staff and stakeholders, including site visits to key laboratories (including Palestinian Medical Complex Laboratory, Al-Watani Hospital Laboratory, and other laboratories where investments in infrastructure are planned under the HSERP component 3).
• Administer questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions as per the methodology designed by the international expert.
• Compile and organize collected data for analysis, ensuring its accuracy and relevance.
• Provision of Training and Capacity Building

• Support the international consultant in designing training modules and materials tailored to local needs.
• Translate training materials to Arabic.
• Facilitate training sessions organization in collaboration with key laboratory staff, ensuring the practical application of enhanced biosafety and biosecurity measures.
• Participate in training provision, including practical demonstration sessions in the laboratories.
• Provide on-the-ground support during workshops and hands-on training activities, ensuring effective participation and understanding by laboratory personnel.
• Logistical and Administrative Support

• Coordinate all logistical aspects of the assessment, including scheduling meetings, arranging site visits, and managing documentation.
• Ensure timely communication and follow-up with stakeholders to facilitate smooth progress of the assessment.
• Review and Feedback
• Provide insights and feedback to the international consultant on local practices, challenges, and opportunities for improving biosafety and biosecurity.
• Provide inputs into the technical reports and recommendations under this assignment, to ensure they are relevant and applicable to the Palestinian context.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) can be can be obtained at the address given below.

The consultancy will cover a period of 12 months, commencing from the date of signing the contract. The estimated number of consulting days is 55-60 days.

The Ministry of Health now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

.  The consultant should have the following credentials and expertise:

• A degree in laboratory sciences, microbiology, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in public health, laboratory management, or biosafety and biosecurity practices.
• Proven experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting, including the use of qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Demonstrated expertise in organizing and providing training, particularly in laboratory settings.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English, with excellent translation skills.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (by e-mail) by March 6th, 2025. Please mention the consulting assignment you are applying for in the subject line of the email.

Ministry of Health

World Bank Projects Management Unit

E-mail: [email protected]