National Consultant

Objective of the programme

Visceral Leishmaniasis which is also known as Kala-azar is endemic in 100 upazilas under 26 districts. The national Kala-azar elimination program (NKEP) is leading its efforts to accelerate progress towards elimination. Bangladesh has made an impressive gain over the years in reducing burden of Kala-azar. In 2017, the number of cases decreased by 91% compare to the number of cases in 2010 (3,806 cases in 2010 and 353 cases in 2017). In 2016, all endemic upazilas achieved annual incidence of Kala-azar cases below one case per 10,000 population, which is the target for elimination of Kala-azar as a public health problem. Since then, all endemic upazilas have been maintaining the annual incidence of Kala-azar cases below one case per 10,000 population. In this context, Bangladesh aims to achieve validation of elimination of Kala-azar as a public health problem by 2021.

As preparation for development of dossier for validation of the Kala-azar elimination, NKEP is putting its efforts to fulfil all preconditions for dossier submission and development of draft dossier as per “Process of validation of elimination of kala-azar as a public health problem in South-East Asia”, the guideline provided by WHO. According to the WHO guideline, the country is required to have an updated comprehensive vector control guideline for prevention of Kala-azar, and several reports on vector control activities i.e, reports on IRS, insecticide monitoring, LLIN use, environmental management, vector survey etc. These important documents need to be included in the dossier for validation of kala-azar elimination as a public health problem.

Recently, CDC, NKEP, in collaboration with WHO and other stakeholders, developed a final draft of the Strategic plan and Operational Manual for Bangladesh for Integrated Vector Management (IVM) which is aligned with the WHO’s Global Vector Control Response (GVCR) 2017-2030. This document was drafted considering country context with input from different ministries, local programmes and stakeholders from different relevant areas. This document needs to be reviewed and finalized after resolving any remaining issues.

Description of duties:

The incumbent will provide support through performing of the following duties:

• Conduct a gap analysis through
  • Review of global and national strategies and policies, guidelines for vector control for prevention Kala-azar, including WHO guideline for validation of elimination of Kala-azar as a public health problem
  • Find gaps in the existing national strategies, policies and guidelines
  • Consult the findings/gaps with relevant stakeholders for their recommendation through a consultative workshop
• Facilitate meetings with key stakeholders as part of the process of updating the guidelines
• Incorporate the recommendations of the stakeholders and update the existing Kala-azar vector control guideline and SOPs to align these documents with global vector control strategies and policies, and close the gaps identified in the gap analysis
• Conduct a situation analysis through desk review on vector control activities performed and prepare reports (last 10 years)
  • Collect and review existing data on vector control activities
  • Prepare reports (i.e. reports on IRS, insecticide monitoring, LLIN use, environmental management, vector survey etc. as per “Process of validation of elimination of kala-azar as a public health problem in South-East Asia”
• Review existing monitoring system including recording and reporting system for vector control activities, and update vector control monitoring checklists and recording and reporting system as per global standards.
• Prepare and submit the final draft of the guideline, SoPs, reports and other relevant documents for endorsement
• Review the final draft of IVM guideline and finalize it after resolving remaining issues.
• Consultant work completion report

Perform any other relevant/similar duties as required

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Essential:

Master degree (M. Sc.) in Zoology or other relevant subject with specialization in Entomology.

Desirable:

Advance degree in the relevant subject and or Master in Public Health (MPH).

Experience:

Essential:

• The consultant must have comprehensive understanding of the Kala-azar and neglected tropical diseases in the view of public health relevant policies and minimum ten (10) years of professional experience in dealing with relevant public health policies, and strategies, guideline of Bangladesh.
• Evidences of engagement on NTDs/Kala-azar relevant policy/strategy/guideline formulation and review in Bangladesh is required.
• Excellent knowledge and experience on National Kala-azar Elimination Programme, and in-depth knowledge of the Bangladesh health system. Working experience with relevant development agencies and government including National Kala-azar Elimination Program is required.

Desirable:

• Working experience in WHO, Government of Bangladesh and /or other UN agencies would be an advantage

Competencies:

• Technical expertise
• Fostering integration and teamwork
• Producing results
• Communicating in effective and credible way
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Languages:

• Strong (written and oral) command of English and Bangla.

Computer Literacy

• Excellent knowledge of MS office applications and computer skills including the ability to make high quality technical presentations and data analysis

Additional functional knowledge and skills:

Strong written communication and analytical skills is required. At least three scientific publications in English is desirable.

Salary & others benefits:

Monthly salary: BDT 458,599 ( NO-B Min)

Limited Insurance Coverage as per WHO rules.

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 and /or a presentation using computer followed by an interview will be held only for qualifying candidates.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to availability of fund and performance.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• This vacancy is open to Bangladeshi Nationals (all genders) only.

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Any attempt to unduly influence on WHO’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant