Consultant - Neglected Tropical Diseases

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PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

Under the supervision and guidance of the Director of the Division of Disease Control (DDC) and the team of Neglected Tropical Diseases (MTD)/WPRO, and in collaboration with the Health Ministries in the Western Pacific Region, WHO country offices (WR, CLO and /or NTD focal point) and HQ/NTD Department, the consultant will support monitoring progress and providing strategic and technical oversight and support to the Regional Office and countries in the implementation of the Global NTD roadmap by the National Plans, priorities, and context for Control and Elimination of NTDs in the Western Pacific to accelerate control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases in the Western Pacific Region.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

1. In close communication/collaboration with all relevant WCOs and health ministries and collaboration with donors and partners, monitor the progress of implementation of the Global NTD Roadmap in line with the Regional Framework for Reaching the Unreached and relevant National Strategies for Control and Elimination of NTDs in the Western Pacific and ensure necessary technical support is provided or mobilized to countries for all priority NTDs, in particular:

a. Support French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and the Philippines in implementing triple drug therapy MDA, ensure that Fiji, Samoa, PNG (WNBP), and Tuvalu implement MDA using triple drug therapy and completing transmission assessment surveys (as required) to accelerate the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF);

b. Support facilitation of training on pharmacovigilance associated with NTD interventions in priority countries (PNG, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and the Philippines) and Integrated AMR surveillance about NTDS in collaboration with EMT and partners;

c. Collaborate with partners and HQ to develop and implement monitoring and evaluation protocol for yaws eradication in the Pacific;

d. Collaborate with partners and HQ to generate necessary evidence to enable integrated MDA for LF, yaws, and scabies and support PNG, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu to implement integrated MDA and access to essential drugs;

e. Support facilitation of integrating skin NTDs to strengthen PHC capacity on NTD diagnosis, treatment, management, and reporting in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, PNG, and other endemic countries in collaboration with partners and experts;

f. Collaborate with other partners to organize a consultation to determine schistosomiasis elimination surveillance protocol and support Cambodia and Lao PDR to strengthen schistosomiasis surveillance towards verification of elimination and expand collaboration with WASH to accelerate schistosomiasis elimination.

g. Support countries with a high burden of soil-transmitted helminthiases to review epidemiological data and revise and implement prevention and treatment strategies in collaboration with HQ.

h. Collaborate with non-health sector partners and experts to facilitate and disseminate mapping and control tools and support disease mapping in Lao PDR, Cambodia, the Philippines, and other endemic countries and establish a bi-regional network for control and elimination of neglected parasitic zoonoses (foodborne trematodes, taeniasis, and cysticercosis);

i. Collaborate with partners and HQ to implement pilot MDA for high endemic areas of foodborne trematodiases

j. Provide support in maintaining Integrated Dashboard and identify challenges related to integrated surveillance of NTDs and opportunities to strengthen M&E and surveillance.

2. Ensure the ongoing development of the Regional Progress Report on NTDs (targeted by preventive chemotherapy) in the Western Pacific 2000-2020 is completed, published, and disseminated.

3. Conceptualize and prepare the organization of the biannual NTD program managers meeting in the Western Pacific tentatively in the third quarter of 2023.

4. Support development and pre-review of elimination dossiers and convene the Regional Dossier Review Group for validation of such dossiers once officially submitted by a country.

5. Coordinate and collaborate with relevant donors to ensure appropriate allocation of funds to countries, monitor implementation of activities, and submit donor reports and proposals in a timely manner.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

1. Working closely with NTD and other relevant teams, the consultant will Communicate with relevant CO/national focal points, partners, and other relevant units to get reports, data, information, and necessary documents to complete the assignments and expected deliverables.

2. The consultant will facilitate virtual meetings with relevant CO/national focal points

3. The consultant will also participate in data management and review and document development.

The key outputs and deliverables of this consultancy are as follows:

Output 1: Progress monitoring and strategic and technical oversight and support to countries in the implementation of the Global NTD Roadmap (2021-2030) to reach the unreached for the Control and Elimination of NTDs in the Western Pacific to accelerate control and elimination of NTDs in the Western Pacific Region.

• Deliverable 1.1: Final report with the progress made in the implementation of the Global NTD Roadmap for Control and Elimination of NTDs in the Western Pacific to accelerate control and elimination of NTDs in the Western Pacific Region. The final report shall encompass the outcomes of key activities outlined in section 3 above.

Output 2: Regional Progress Reports on NTDs, Technical, and Financial Reports to donors, and countries supported with validation of elimination

• Deliverable 2.1: Regional Progress Report on NTDs (2020-2022) finalized and disseminated widely
• Deliverable 2.2: Biannual NTDs program managers meeting supported and conducted
• Deliverable 2.3: Completion of elimination dossiers for review.
• Deliverable 2.4: Funds allocated to countries for activities aimed at NTD control and elimination and reports submitted to donors in a timely manner.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:

• Relevant first university degree from a recognized university in science, medicine, or nursing.
• Master’s degree in public health, tropical diseases, epidemiology, or a related field is preferable.

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• Minimum of 4 years relevant experience working with the health ministries on control and elimination of at least one of neglected tropical diseases in developing countries
• Relevant experience working with the health ministries in public health and communicable disease control

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Proven knowledge of at least one of the neglected tropical diseases is required
• Managing donor funding programs
• Computer Skills (including MS Office package)
• Data Analysis and Report writing

LANGUAGES

Good knowledge of English is essential (Read-Write-Speak).

COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork
• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Producing Results
• Knowing and Managing Yourself

Place of assignment

Manila, Philippines, or Remote

Work Schedules

This consultancy is a full-time assignment.

Medical clearance

The selected consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel

The work might require occasional travel to countries in the Region.

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 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• 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.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.