Specialist for TB prevention

Details

Mission and objectives

Our values, our DNA WHO, as the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations system, adheres to the UN values of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity. The values of the WHO workforce furthermore reflect the principles of human rights, universality and equity established in WHO’s Constitution as well as the ethical standards of the Organization. These values are inspired by the WHO vision of a world in which all peoples attain the highest possible level of health, and our mission to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable, with measurable impact for people at country level. We are individually and collectively committed to put these values into practice.

Context

The estimated incidence of TB in Mozambique is 368/100,000 cases/inhabitant, meaning that the disease affects around 115,000 new Mozambicans annually. In the last five years, Mozambique has shown progress in the notification of TB cases, rising from 61,576 in 2015 to 97,093 in 2020 (a 36.6% increase). Of the reported cases, 13% represent childhood TB, and 30% represent the community-based approach contribution. TB treatment coverage (notified/estimated incidence) in 2020 was 84%, and the TB case fatality ratio was 11%. Despite free diagnosis and treatment, TB remains a serious public health problem in Mozambique. HIV is still one of the key drivers of the TB epidemic in Mozambique. The TB/HIV Co-infection was 27% in 2020. Furthermore, HIV is a leading cause of death and a health threat to millions. In 2020, there were 35,463 deaths from AIDS. Mozambique has the sixth highest HIV prevalence globally and ranks fourth in new HIV infections. Despite the alarming statistics, Mozambique has one of the largest HIV treatment programmes in the world, with 1.4 million people in treatment by December 2020. The TB Specialist (UNV) will join the WHO team in Mozambique to provide technical assistance to the national Government to implement four areas of cooperation with a TB-related focus.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the STI, HIV, Hepatitis and TB technical Officer the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Advocate an evidence-based TB and HIV-prevention approach in priority populations and geographic areas. • Strengthen a comprehensive approach of TB, VH, STI and HIV testing and prevention. • Work with the MoH and partners to facilitate dialogue and elevate the profile and visi-bility of WHO interventions on TB, HIV, HEP and STIs preventions activities. • Provide strategic and technical support for the development of TB policies, guidelines, and plans for HIV prevention and testing. • Support the translation of normative guidance from WHO and partners into actions and activities and enable progressive realization. • Ensure programmatic coordination with TB, HIV, Hepatitis, STIs MCH and mental health programmes to promote synergies and efficiencies. • Provide technical assistance for the implementation of the Global Fund grants • Development of Global Fund applications • Support TB screening activities aimed at identifying care needs, to improve overall programme indicators affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. • Support the development, implementation, monitoring and review of the Prevention ar-eas of the Joint UN Team on AIDS action plan. • Support on the implementation of the framework of Programmatic management of la-tent TB infection, TB preventive treatment guidelines and TB/HIV Management of comorbidities. • Strengthen implementation of the TB Infection control measures (administrative, envi-ronmental, and personal protection) and surveillance, including Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) • Represent WHO on the Technical Working Group on Prevention and the TB sub-groups. • Support interventions of TB and HIV preventions including GBV, PEP in humanitarian settings.