Consultant- Provide technical support to country office for the implementation of priority components of the One Health Framework for Action and strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation

Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to country office for the implementation of priority components of the One Health (OH) Framework for Action and strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation and coordination between the MoH and the MoA through a One Health approach.

Background

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)-supported project focuses on enhancing the One Health concept and reporting for animal health surveillance including for zoonotic diseases that may have an impact on public health. With awareness of current efforts to strengthen surveillance, as well as ongoing challenges, the WHO-led project supported by DTRA will facilitate the adoption and implementation of One Health operational framework to support Jordan in identifying and putting in place systems, mechanisms and practices to better address and respond to One Health issues through converging human, animal health and environmental sectors and enhancing their joint action.

Main objectives for the project are to: 1) Establish a real-time, electronic disease information sharing system for the MoH and the MoA, focusing on joint reporting mechanisms for zoonotic health surveillance data; 2) Support the implementation of priority components of the One Health Framework for Action and strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation and coordination between the MoH and the MoA through a One Health approach.

Planned timelines

• Start date: 01 October 2020
• End date: 31 March 2021

Work to be performed

Output 1: Co-lead One Health technical committee meeting to strengthen the coordination and relationship between the ministries and partners and to plan the design and implementation of the coordinated surveillance system.

• Prepare meeting agenda and related presentations;
• Chair the sessions for One Health meeting together with MOH and MOA;
• Prepare formal meeting minutes and action points;
• Review the priority zoonotic disease module and develop methodology for joint reporting;
• Review One Health activities in Jordan and identify needed steps.
• Align the activities with the global project, ‘National Bridging Workshops (NBW) for IHR-PVS’ supported by DTRA (HDTRA1-17-1-0018)

Deliverables:

1. Develop a ‘user requirement document’ to translate paper based zoonotic disease modules into electronic system including functionality required for event-based surveillance data sharing between MoH and MoA.
2. Develop a national operational plan based on the OH regional framework in close consultation with national stakeholders and using available One Health bodies/initiatives.
3. Finalize the sign off on both documents with MOH and MOA.

Output 2: Map existing structures in MOA/MOH including mechanisms and legislations to regulate and facilitate collaboration and coordination between relevant sectors, based on the Joint External Evaluation and OIE PVS assessment tools for the public health sector.

• Conduct desk review of existing structures in the ministries of Health and Agriculture;
• Organize expert meeting for senior officials/ministers and international organization such as FAO and OIE to agree on a guiding document for applying the One Health approach in a systematic way and allocate resources for activities requested.

Deliverable:

Submit a comprehensive report of mapping including gaps, challenges and recommendations on how to improve coordination and collaboration between the two sectors.

Output 3: Adapt and refine a One Health Curriculum for delivery to the MoH and the MoA.

• Review the existing One Health curriculum in Jordan (if any) and in the region;
• Review the international One Health curriculum and concepts;
• Draft curriculum together with MOH and MOA inputs

Deliverables

1. Develop One Health package ( PPT presentations with organized slides and visuals as needed) for Jordan that should include: One Health concept for orientation to leaders of the Jordan Royal Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment; Basic knowledge and skills required for inter-ministerial, interdisciplinary collaborations and communications before and during biohazardous events involving humans, animals, and the environment to include One Health bio-surveillance concepts; Description of current ministerial procedures to identify gaps in collaboration and communication; Creating a suitable environment to ensure efficient, coordinated response efforts in the event of a potential biological incident.
2. Facilitate 3-day orientation training on One Health concepts for 25 participants from the ministries of Health and Agriculture
3. Prepare training report

Required Qualifications

Education: Master’s Degree in veterinary medicine, in public health or related science.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in public health field and implementing one health concept.
• Proven experience in effective utilization of data, statistical reports and analysis tools for decision making process relate to Zoonotic Diseases surveillance.
• Proven experience in preparing manuscripts and medical publications related to One Health concept.
• Experience with use of international technical guidelines on One Health or leading one health initiatives in Jordan.
• Established academic experience in curriculum development related to One heath and zoonotic diseases surveillance

Skills / Technical knowledge

• High level communication skills.
• Good capacity to conduct TOT activities.
• Good report writing skills in English and Arabic.

Language

Very good command of the Arabic and English languages (speaking/writing).

Location

Jordan

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.)

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.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded) Remuneration: National consultant (NOD level)

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.
• Successful candidates will be included in the roster for consideration for future contractual engagement via a consultancy, as they become available. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relationship with WHO
• 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.
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• 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.
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