National Health Systems Strengthening Consultant, NO-C, Damascus, Syria
Damascus
- Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
- Location: Damascus
- Grade: Mid level - NO-C, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
-
Occupational Groups:
- Public Health and Health Service
- Closing Date: 2025-10-18
1. Purpose of the Consultancy
The UHC consultant will provide technical and managerial support to the government and national stakeholders for the development, implementation, and monitoring of sustainable, multi-sectoral strategies and programmes advancing universal health coverage (UHC), strengthening primary and secondary healthcare services, preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and promoting health across the life course. The role emphasizes integration of services, strengthening health systems, addressing equity and social determinants of health, and enhancing community engagement for better population health outcomes.
2. Background
Fourteen years of conflict have left Syriaâs health system fragmented and under immense strain. Destroyed infrastructure, the displacement of health workers, supply chain disruptions, and economic collapse have deprived millions of Syrians of even basic health services. Within this fragile environment, achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC)âensuring access to care without financial hardshipâremains one of the countryâs most pressing challenges.
Primary health care (PHC) has traditionally been the backbone of the system, providing immunizations, maternal and child services, and basic treatments. Today, however, only about 56% of PHC centres and 63% of hospitals remain functional. For many in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas, PHC is the only access point since referral pathways to hospitals are often broken. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and partners, including WHO, have prioritized PHC, launching a 2023â2027 PHC Strategy to make services more accessible, equitable, and of higher quality. Importantly, PHC is being redesigned to integrate non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health services, which previously relied on specialized facilities.
Secondary care, which includes specialized hospital services, diagnostics, and surgeries, is also in fragile condition. Only 63% of hospitals remain operational, and many are hampered by damaged infrastructure, shortages of equipment, and the emigration or displacement of specialized staff. This often leaves patients untreated or forces them to travel long distances at great financial and personal cost. The weakness of secondary care places additional strain on PHC facilities, which are sometimes left to manage complex conditions without adequate referral support.
NCDs now account for 50â70% of deaths in Syria, mainly from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory conditions. These illnesses require continuous care, yet the conflict has disrupted treatment, medicines, and monitoring. Vulnerable groups face the highest barriers. In response, MoH and WHO are integrating NCD services including mental healthcare into PHC and, in 2024, launched a National Action Plan to improve treatment and address risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diets, inactivity, and air pollution. Despite these steps, about 12 million Syrians need health assistance, including 8 million with acute needs and 6 million displaced. High out-of-pocket costs for chronic disease treatment push families deeper into poverty.
The health system also suffers from damaged infrastructure, shortages of equipment and medicines, fragmented governance, security challenges, and mass emigration of health workers. Yet there are signs of resilience. Pilot projects have shown that integrating NCD and mental health services into PHC is possible, while community outreach and screening programs are improving early detection of chronic conditions.
Overall, Syriaâs path to UHC reflects both fragility and resilience. Millions still lack access, financial hardship is widespread, and services remain uneven across regions. But new strategies, international partnerships, and the determination of health workers provide a foundation for progress. Success will depend on reducing inequities, strengthening financial protection, safeguarding health workers and facilities, and sustaining global support. The next few years will be decisive in determining whether these initiatives translate into real improvements for ordinary Syrians.
3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Four months
4. Work to be performed
Under the supervision of the Senior Public Health Specialist, the consultant will provide technical and coordination support to strengthen the national health system. This includes improving health service delivery at community, primary, and secondary care levels, and supporting health care financing, governance, and policy development aligned with universal health coverage (UHC) and primary health care (PHC) principles.
Working closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH), the consultant will help define standards for health system organization and operation, contribute to the implementation of the Essential Service Package, and support the development of integrated and resilient health services. The consultant will also lead capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the health workforce, enhance the referral system, and improve quality of care across all levels.
In addition, the consultant will support emergency and humanitarian health responses, promote multisectoral collaboration to address communicable and noncommunicable diseases, and contribute to resource mobilization through concept notes and project proposals. The consultant will document lessons learned and best practices related to health equity, social determinants of health, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while performing any other related duties as required.
Deliverables:
1. Reports and recommendations on service delivery improvements at community, primary, and secondary care levels (by end of assignment).
2. Drafted and/or submitted concept notes, project proposals, and donor applications (by end of assignment).
3. Dissemination materials (policy briefs, presentations, knowledge-sharing events) (by end of assignment).
4. Technical report on capacity building activities (by end of assignment)
5. Final report (by end of assignment)
Activities suggested to contribute to each deliverable (to be discussed and decided with consultant during first week):
Deliverable 1: Reports and recommendations on service delivery improvements at community, primary, and secondary care levels
Contributing Activities:
1. Contribute to situational analysis and service delivery assessments at community, PHC, and SHC levels.
2. Review existing health system frameworks, service packages, and operational standards (e.g. Essential Service Package, Decree 8/T).
3. Support in organizing consultative meetings with MoH, NGOs, and partners to identify service delivery gaps and priorities.
4. Support development of evidence-based recommendations for improving quality, efficiency, and equity in service delivery.
5. Contribute to technical input for strengthening healthcare financing mechanisms and governance structures.
6. Support design and integration of community-based health interventions linked to referral pathways.
Deliverable 2: Drafted and/or submitted concept notes, project proposals, and donor applications
Contributing Activities:
1. Support in identifying funding opportunities aligned with health system strengthening and UHC priorities.
2. Support coordination with MoH and partners to define project scope, objectives, and expected outcomes.
3. Draft concept notes and proposals addressing key public health needs (e.g. PHC, NCDs, SRH, emergency response).
4. Contribute to the development of logical frameworks, activity plans, and budgets for proposed projects.
5. Support liaison with donors for technical discussions and ensure alignment with donor requirements.
6. Review and edit proposals for clarity, coherence, and technical soundness.
Deliverable 3: Dissemination materials (policy briefs, presentations, knowledge-sharing events)
Contributing Activities:
1. Contribute to preparation of policy briefs summarizing key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations from technical work.
2. Develop PowerPoint presentations and briefing materials for internal and external meetings.
3. Organize and facilitate knowledge-sharing workshops, policy dialogues, or dissemination events.
4. Coordinate preparation of success stories and best practice documentation.
5. Support MoH communication teams to adapt and distribute dissemination materials through relevant channels.
Deliverable 4: Technical report on capacity-building activities
Contributing Activities:
1. Conduct training needs assessments for health workforce capacity development.
2. Support development and delivery of capacity-building sessions (e.g. HLMA, HRIS, health leadership, and management).
3. Facilitate workshops on health planning, governance, and quality of care improvement.
4. Support the design and implementation of mentorship or coaching programs within MoH structures.
5. Document training processes, participant feedback, and measurable outcomes.
6. Summarize progress, challenges, and recommendations in a technical report.
Deliverable 5: Final report (comprehensive summary of all outputs and recommendations)
Contributing Activities:
1. Consolidate findings, outputs, and lessons learned from all activities undertaken during the consultancy.
2. Synthesize technical reports, policy recommendations, and project outcomes into a final narrative.
3. Highlight best practices, success stories, and recommendations for future actions.
4. Submit the final report to the Senior Public Health Specialist and relevant stakeholders for review and validation.
5. Technical Supervision
The selected Consultant will work under the supervision of:
Responsible Officer: Dr Alvaro Alonso Garbayo
Manager: Ms Chrstina Bethke
6. Specific requirements
Qualifications:
Essential: A university degree (Bachelor or higher) in medicine, public health or a relevant field.
Experience required:
Essential: at least 5 years of experience working in the UN system with specific experience in PH and related disciplines and humanitarian experience with good understanding of support to emergency interventions
Desirable: previous experience working for WHO with knowledge of WHOâs processes and systems
Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
- Good knowledge of the setup in Syriaâs health system
- Good communication, research, analytical and writing skills
Language requirements:
English & Arabic proficiency required
7. Place of assignment
Damascus, Syria
8. Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
9. Travel
Not Applicable
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.