Roster of Consultants - Tuberculosis (TB)

Purpose

WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) wishes to develop a Regional Roster of TB Experts to provide technical services and is inviting applications from eligible candidates based on the specified Terms of Reference (ToRs) below.

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health threat in the African region, accounting for significant mortality and morbidity and posing a substantial burden on healthcare systems. While some progress has been made in response to the disease, challenges persist, particularly regarding drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), paediatric TB, community-based care, and case detection. Despite the availability of effective diagnostics, a significant proportion of TB cases remain undiagnosed, contributing to ongoing transmission and hindering progress towards TB elimination.

The Health Promotion/Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) Cluster of the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) champions the "Ending Disease in Africa by 2030" vision, which emphasises integrated approaches to combat TB and other diseases, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the WHO 14th Programme of Work (GPW 14).

Effective TB control efforts hinge on robust and comprehensive approach to programmatic management at the country level. This includes strengthening healthcare systems, expanding access to quality diagnostics and treatment, and implementing effective prevention measures. Additionally, prioritising interventions such as the introduction of new vaccines and early detection in people living with HIV (PLHIV) are all crucial for breaking the cycle of TB transmission ensuring attainment of the End TB goal.

The World Health Organization has developed an extensive framework of guidelines and normative tools, including the WHO Consolidated Guidelines on Tuberculosis with multiple modules covering prevention, treatment, and programmatic management. However, the effective implementation of these guidelines requires adaptation to local contexts, capacity building, and ongoing technical support.

This roster of TB experts will provide technical support across a wide range of thematic areas.

Deliverables

Adoption and implementation of guidelines and normative tools
• Comprehensive review of national TB guidelines against the latest WHO recommendations
• National guideline development and adaptation
• Implementation guidance and standard operating procedures development
• Assist in developing policy frameworks
• Capacity building for guideline implementation
• Service delivery model design and optimisation

Evidence generation for effective TB control.
• Comprehensive TB epidemiological reviews using the WHO EPI review tools
• Comprehensive TB programme performance reviews
• Development and/or strengthening of existing surveillance and M&E systems, TB data quality and impact assessments
• M&E capacity building
• Geographical mapping of TB burden and risk factors
• Protocol development, operational research and knowledge translation

NSP Development and Strategic Planning:
• Support review and development of National Strategic Plans

Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant TB (PMDT)
• Review/update national PMTD guidelines
• Support implementation of shorter, all-oral regimens
• Capacity building on PMDT guidelines and programme management

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Based on the key tasks outlined, a consultant will require a combination of technical expertise and programmatic experience.
Applicants should demonstrate their expertise in one or more thematic areas by providing clear and relevant supporting evidence.

Education:

Essential: Advanced degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology or a master’s degree in a relevant area from a recognised institution.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years or more of professional experience in providing technical support at the global/regional and country level
• Sound understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the field of communicable diseases, particularly TB, or similar experience in another international organization/institution.
• Knowledge of high‐burden, resource‐constrained countries and organization of national TB programmes based on practical experience.

Desirable:

• Experience in the development of training programmes for and in the training of health professionals

Language skills

Fluency (spoken and written) in at least one of the AFRO regions is essential (English, French, Portuguese).

Location

Multiple locations in Africa (WHO African Region).

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration

Band level B - USD 7,000 - 9,980 per month.
Consultant assignments are remunerated according to different pay bands based on qualification and experience.

Expected duration of contract

The consultancy contract duration varies from 1 to 11 months, depending on the need.

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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html

For roster VNs:

The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.