Consultant – Technical Support to activities related to the People-Centred Framework for TB Programme Planning and Prioritization, HQ/GTB/TME

Purpose of consultancy

To provide the TB monitoring and evaluation (TME) unit of WHO’s Global TB Programme (GTB) with the expert and independent support it requires to implement its workplan for 2020–2021 related to implementation and enhancement of the “People-Centred Framework for TB Programme Planning and Prioritization”.

Background
In 2018 and 2019, GTB and partner agencies developed the “People-Centred Framework for TB programme planning and prioritization” (hereafter the PCF). The framework is designed to facilitate a systematic approach to country-led, data-driven and people-centred TB planning, prioritization and decision-making.
Following pilot work in a small number of countries, there is growing demand from other countries for support to use the PCF, especially in the context of new national strategic plans for TB and associated proposals to the Global Fund that are due to be developed in 2020 and 2021. There is also a need for further refinement of existing guidance material related to the PCF; for capacity building to use the framework within national TB programmes and among partner agencies; and for the development of country case studies.

GTB/TME has developed a workplan for 2020-2021 to meet these demands and funding is available from a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. GTB/TME requires a full-time consultant with expertise and experience relevant to the PCF, who is able to work independently as well as interact regularly and collaborate effectively with TME staff, to contribute to the required deliverables.

Deliverables

Output 1\: Independent specialized technical assistance provided to 2-4 countries to enable them to apply and implement the PCF in the context of the development of national strategic plans for TB and associated Global Fund proposals.

• Activity 1.1\: Facilitate technical discussions with countries to explore effective ways to apply and implement the PCF and related tools, in close coordination with relevant WHO offices and partners.
• Activity 1.2\: Provide independent specialized technical assistance to countries for the design and planning of national or sub-national workshops at which the PCF will be used.
• Activity 1.3\: Provide independent specialized technical assistance to countries for the consolidation of country-based data and evidence that are needed to inform programmatic, policy and planning discussions among stakeholders.
• Activity 1.4\: Provide in-country technical assistance for the preparation, organization and facilitation of national or sub-national workshops that use the PCF for national TB planning, prioritization and policy formulation, in close coordination with relevant WHO offices and partners

Output 2\: Existing guidance on how to apply the PCF refined and expanded based on experience in applying it in 2020, and complemented with new supportive materials and tools.

• Activity 2.1\: Further methodological development and refinement of the PCF user guide and accompanying materials and tools.
• Activity 2.2\: Development of training material for existing or potential users of the PCF.

Output 3\: New country case studies on the application of the PCF
Activity 3.1\: Development of case studies for several countries that implement the PCF in 2020 and 2021.

Output 4\: Project reports drafted
Activity 4.1\: Produce monthly progress reports and draft a final project report, in coordination with relevant WHO staff members and other partners.

Deliverables

• Reports on how the PCF was used to support the development of national strategic plans for TB and associated Global Fund applications.
  
• Updated guidance material on how to use the PCF.
  
• Training material for users of the PCF.
  
• Several country case studies on effective use of the PCF for TB programme planning and prioritization.
  
• Monthly progress reports to GTB/TME.
• Draft of final project report.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications\:

Essential\: Advanced postgraduate degree (at least Masters level) in epidemiology, public health or relevant fields

Experience\:
Essential\: At least five years of experience of working in programme/project management in public health, including\:

• Experience of work related to communicable diseases;
• At least two years of experience in supporting national TB planning and policy formulation (e.g. national strategic plans, national guidelines, specific project formulation);
  
• At least two years of experience in managing and analysing a wide range of public health data including TB-related data from routine surveillance systems and/or special studies;
  
• Work experience in developing countries;

Desirable\:

• Experience of working in TB care and control.
  
• Experience of using the Patient-Centred Framework for TB planning and prioritization.
  
• Experience of working in WHO or other international organizations.

Skills/Knowledge\:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
  
• Proven ability to work as part of a multicultural and multidisciplinary team.

Languages and level required\:
Excellent level of English (reading, writing, speaking)

Other essential requirements

• Willingness to travel to countries in Asia and Africa (up to 10 weeks per year); and
  
• Available to start the consultancy in early 2020 (ideally by mid-January, and no later than February 2020).

Location
On site\: Geneva, Switzerland
The consultant is expected to be based in Geneva to enable regular interactions with TME staff, and to undertake country visits as required.

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.)
The travel schedule will require adaptation during the course of the consultancy (with any changes mutually agreed between GTB/TME and the consultant).
All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Remuneration\: Specialist pay band level
The remuneration will be based on a monthly fee which is in the range US$7000 – US$9000 depending on the selected consultant’s expertise and years of experience. This is in accordance with the WHO remuneration scales for international consultants. The final monthly fee will depend upon the selected consultant’s experience and expertise.

Payments will be made following satisfactory completion of a set of deliverables. In line with WHO norms, payment will be made in instalments on satisfactory completion of a set of deliverables.

Other terms and conditions of employment will be in accordance with WHO policy on the employment of consultants (details available upon request). For example, the consultant is responsible for ensuring that they have adequate health insurance (mandatory in Switzerland) and for obtaining any necessary visas and vaccinations required for travel.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited)\: CHF 3000 per month may be payable.

Work schedule\: 100%; Duration of contract (tentatively)\: 16 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 (total 11 months within a 12-month period). The project is funded until 2021 and there may be a possibility of further requirement to fulfil additional deliverables.


Additional Information section\:

• 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
  
• 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 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)