Consultant to assess the association and impact between COVID-19 with NCDs, Mental Diseases and HIV/AIDS in the Africa region”

1. Background

NCDs, such as cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes; are the first cause of death and disability worldwide, accounting for 74% of all deaths and more than three out of four years lived with a disability. Each year, more than 15 million people die from an NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years. Eighty-five (85%) of these "premature" deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

To support Member States in their national efforts, WHO has developed the Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013-2020, which includes nine global targets that have the greatest impact on global NCD mortality. These targets address prevention and management of NCDs.

People with NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, and more likely to die from COVID-19. Risk factors for NCDs can make people more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with COVID-19. For example, smokers may have reduced lung capacity which would greatly increase risk of serious illness.

In addition, health services need to be adapted to maintain essential NCD services to ensure continuity of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Progress against NCDs has also suffered setbacks due to disruptions by the COVID-19 pandemic on essential health services. About 80% of countries in African region reported disruption to at least one health service against NCDs between May and September 2021. Countries are striving to restore services, although many have not yet been fully re-established.

Data are therefore needed to better understand the association between COVID-19 severity and NCDs. This will inform health care providers and the public about COVID-19 and NCDs and demonstrate the relevance of integration in disease prevention and control. While addressing the immediate task, we must redouble our efforts to effectively address NCDs and their risk factors by taking a medium to long term view and advocating for more commitment and funding for NCD control in the African region.

The overall objective of this consultancy work is to describe the association and impact of COVID-19 with NCDs, Mental Diseases, TB and HIV/AIDS

2. Deliverables

Under the overall supervision of the AFRO NCD Management and COVID-19 Team Leads, the incumbent will support the following:

• Carry out a desk review of existing documents, reports, and survey results to come up with consolidated documents that can inform the study.
• Lead the development of a research protocol with methodology for the assessment.
• Develop assessment tools, both paper-based and electronic for collection of data.
• To perform an analysis using STATA or R of the data on COVID-19 in the Africa region (research protocol, do-files and data analysis report).
• To draft a report based on the result from the analysis and detailed outline provided by WHO.

WHO will provide a briefing package including information / data, perceptions, on COVID-19 and other diseases such as NCDs, Mental health Disorder and HIV/AIDS-TB.

The report will include:

• A description of association between NCDs and severe cases of COVID-19 in the Africa region.
• The impact of COVID-19 on the progress against NCDs in the Region.
• A description of the association between COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS.
• Examples of country success stories.
• Examples of different ways to meaningfully tackle NCDs through integration.

3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Medical degree with a postgraduate or specialization in public health, or epidemiology or Biostatistics or Global health from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable: Advanced University degree (Master level or above) in public health, or Epidemiology or Biostatistics or Global health, and additional University Degree on Medical field will be an asset.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years' experience in research, public health, communications, and/or international relations. Extensive writing and communications skill. A relevant professional experience of routine analysis and reporting of time-sensitive public health. At least 3 years’ experience inclusive should be at the international level.

Desirable: Experience in policy advising and policy analysis. Field experience in public health, particularly in resource limited countries. Knowledge of communicable and NCDs, epidemic surveillance, or public health crisis at the national and international levels.

Skills/Knowledge

Excellent writing skills in English in a variety of styles and under tight deadline pressure. Ability to develop messaging and positioning for an international organization. Demonstrated networking skills, excellent interpersonal skills, ability to multitask, ability to prioritize competing priorities. Thorough understanding of public health and international development issues, and has the ability to quickly understand, process and communicate about new public health information; Proven ability to plan, execute, collaborate and work independently.

Other skills:

• Excellent knowledge of software such us R, STATA, SPSS, EPI-INFO…
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Excel).

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results

Languages and level required

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
• Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Both languages are interchangeable

4. Technical Supervision

Prof. Jean-Marie Dangou, NCD Coordinator of WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville-Congo

5. Location

The consultant is expected to work remotely

Off site: __TBD____(please indicate location/address).

6. Travel

No travel is expected to take place

7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

The remuneration for the above position comprises salaries for staff in the Professional category of P4 level with the monthly rate of 8500 USD per month.

The contract duration will be for a total of ninety (90) working days. From 1st July 2022 to 31st December 2022