1. Background

The Syrian health system has endured over a decade of conflict, resulting in extensive damage to health infrastructure, the displacement of health professionals, and the disruption of medical and other health professional education. Many training institutions have closed or have been and still are operating under constrained conditions, faculty shortages are widespread, and regional disparities in access to quality education persist. As a result, the country faces severe challenges in producing a competent, sustainable, and equitable health workforce.

As part of WHO’s ongoing technical support to Syria’s Health Labour Market Assessment (HLMA), a Health Professional Education Capacity Mapping is required to provide a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of the current state of health professional education sector. This work will inform strategic investments, reforms, and capacity-building efforts needed to rebuild Syria’s health workforce in line with the national strategic health sector vision, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals and the WHO Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

To assess the current capacity, distribution, and quality of health professional education in Syria—covering medicine, nursing, midwifery, and allied health fields—with the objective of identifying key gaps and opportunities to strengthen the education system and inform national workforce planning and overall health system recovery.

3. Objectives and Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following key activities, under the supervision of the WHO Syria Country Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Health, and other relevant stakeholders.

3.1 Inception Phase
- Develop an Inception Report outlining:
  - Detailed methodology
  - Data sources and ethics considerations
  - Stakeholder mapping and engagement strategy
  - Timeline and deliverables

3.2 Mapping of Institutions and Stakeholders
- Identify and profile:
  - All institutions providing health professional education (public, private, de facto authorities, and informal)
  - Accreditation bodies, education regulators, and other stakeholders (e.g., professional councils, NGOs, donors)
  - Governance, coordination mechanisms, and quality assurance structures

3.3 Tool Development
- Design and validate a data collection tool suitable for use in the Syrian context, aligned with WHO guidance for workforce and education capacity assessments.

3.4 Data Collection and Analysis
- Oversee or directly conduct data collection (remotely or in coordination with local partners)
- Analyse data by profession, region, and equity dimensions

3.5 Gap Analysis and Needs Assessment
- Identify shortfalls in institutional capacity, faculty shortages, curriculum gaps, and misalignments with workforce needs

3.6 Reporting and Dissemination
- Prepare and present findings, produce final report, policy brief, and facilitate a dissemination workshop
WHO Dissemination (beyond dissemination workshop)

• Dissemination of results will be linked to that of the HLMA
• Shared report with all participating institutions
• Development of a policy brief to be shared with relevant stakeholders
• Presentation to FCDO
• Presentation to other relevant donors (forum to be decided)

4. Expected Deliverables and dissemination plan

1. Inception Report
2. Stakeholder & Institution Map
3. Data Collection Tool
4. Data Analysis Report
5. Gap and Needs Assessment
6. Preliminary Findings Presentation
7. Final Mapping Report
8. Policy Brief

 

Dissemination plan

• Presentation to the MoH through the Health Labour Market Assessment Committee including HE Minister of Health, MoH relevant Directors (e.g. HR, Admin. Develop. PHC, HRH Observatory, etc.), Centre for Strategic Studies, relevant Syndicates and Professional Associations, Syrian Board of Medical Specialities, etc.
• Presentation at the Ministry of Health/Ministry of Higher Education Interministerial Committee
• Presentation at the Health Sector Coordination Group meeting
• Presentation to FCDO and other relevant donors (forum TBC)

5. Duration and Location

Duration: ASAP until 31 October
Duty Station: mix of remote and presential work in Damascus with local travel as required (and feasible)
 

6. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report to the WHO Health Systems and Services (HSS) Officer – Syria Country Office, and coordinate with:
- Ministry of Higher Education
- Ministry of Health
- Other relevant education and accreditation bodies
- UN agencies and international partners
- Any other stakeholder identified

7. Qualifications and Competencies

Required:
- Advanced degree in Education, Public Health or related field
- 7+ years of experience in health workforce development or education
- Experience in fragile/conflict settings
- Fluency in Arabic and English

Desirable:
- Knowledge of Syrian context

 

 

CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.