Infection Prevention and Control Specialist (Consultant)

Terms of reference for Infection Prevention and Control response to COVID-19 in South Africa

Purpose of the Position:

To provide technical support in IPC to the COVID-19 response team at the national, provincial and district level.

Objectives of the Programme:

The COVID-19 in South Africa is unprecedented in size, geographic spread and number of lives lost. At the same time, its scale and complexity is placing enormous demands on the health system especially with the infection of health care workers.
Its successful containment requires very good IPC standards to ensure that the spread of the virus is minimal.
Infection prevention and control is one of the pillars of the COVID-19 response. To support the already on-going IPC work in provinces and districts, WHO Country Office in South Africa, is seeking to employ on a temporary basis for a period of three months only, persons with relevant experience.
In collaboration with the Province under the supervision of the WHO Country Office the following activities will be conducted:

Summary of assigned duties
1. Work in coordination with the incident management team to ensure IPC priorities and activities are managed effectively within the overall outbreaks and/or health emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities, in compliance with the national standard operating procedures and the WHO IPC guidelines.
2. Assess IPC capacities and practices in emergency units, hospitals and health care facilities. Identify action plans and priorities for improvement and prepare a written report according to WHO templates in collaboration with local MOH authorities and partners. Provide technical recommendations to partners and key players to achieve improvement actions and monitor implementation.
3. According to local needs and requests, review the IPC measures implemented and advise on prevention of healthcare-associated infections in healthcare settings.
4. Assess training needs, develop training plans and conduct IPC training for staff at district hospitals, and health facilities.
5. Regularly report to the IPC national lead, MOH/WHO international incident management team on assessments and improvement plan and other IPC activities.
6. Provide guidance on immediate IPC policies, resources, equipment and training needed for emergency units and healthcare facilities.
7. Provide technical support the MOH in documenting the response and health system restoration and
strengthening activities, as and when required.
8. Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Competencies (Min 3 Max 5)
1. Communicating in a credible and effective way
2. Producing results
3. Fostering integration and teamwork
4. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Education and special training
First level university degree in nursing, medicine, pharmacy, microbiology or epidemiology. Certified training in the area of IPC from an accredited/recognized institute.
Master's level degree in public health or related field.

Experience (length and type)
At least five years of experience in developing, implementing and evaluating infection and prevention control policies, procedures and tools in low resource settings, and outbreaks and or health emergency response.

Knowledge, abilities and skills
Proven knowledge and skills in infection prevention and control, rapid assessment techniques.
• Strong organizational and communication skills including ability to negotiate with National and international authorities and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels.
• Strong ability to execute and manage national health programme.
Knowledge of WHO, the UN System or NGO work in the field of response relief and/or of their practices and procedures.

Languages
English: English and one language spoken in the province.
Working arrangements: Be flexible to work in all Provinces
Grade : NOC
Duration : 3 months