CONSULTANT - TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES IN THE WHO AFRICAN REGION

1. Purpose of the consultancy

Please briefly describe why the work is needed and the context.

The burden of vector-borne diseases is very high in the African region and represent a major public health problem. Lately, arthropod-borne viral diseases or “arboviruses” are emerging and re-emerging in the region resulting in more frequent epidemics than ever before. The devastating repercussions of vector-borne diseases and the inherent impediment to social and economic development are evident. Endemic countries in the region neither have adequate requisite experience nor appropriate policies, strategies, and guidelines to effectively tackle emerging challenges of vector-borne diseases, including arboviruses, and prevent inherent epidemics. WHO developed the Global Vector Control Response (GVCR) to combat vector-borne diseases and the Global Arboviral Initiative (GLAI) to tackle mosquito-borne viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential. To curb the threat to public health, WHO AFRO has established a subunit in the Tropical and Vector-borne Diseases Unit to strengthen efforts towards combating VBDs in the region, with emphasis on arboviruses, in the context of Integrated Vector Management (IVM) and aligned with the GVCR. To this end, WHO-AFRO intends to engage an expert as a consultant for a two-month contract. The off-site consultant will work virtually with the national and regional teams of experts and stakeholders to develop the Guidelines for the control and management of vector-borne diseases in the WHO African Region. The objective of the contract is to support WHO AFRO in developing Regional Guidelines for the control and management of vector-borne diseases in the WHO African Region in the context of the IVM strategy and in line with the GVCR. The deliverables of the contract are detailed in the scope of work of the consultant expert described below.

The overall objective of the task is to develop a final Regional Guidelines for the control and management of vector-borne diseases in the WHO African Region

The specific objectives are as follows:

• Conduct literature review on vector-borne diseases surveillance and control, particularly arboviruses
• Carry out desk assessment of the available normative guidance and country strategic documents on vector-borne diseases, and pertinent vector control documents.
• Develop a draft framework for the proposed Guideline highlighting scope, core elements, key actions, innovations, and how it links with and leverage the attributes of the IVM approach and harnessing the GLAI and GVCR.
• Develop the comprehensive Regional Guidelines for the control and management of vector-borne diseases in the WHO African Region through a consultative process

Organizational Context

Under the direct supervision of the Team Lead -Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases Control, the consultant will revise the draft Regional Guidelines in line with the inputs and comments at the virtual meeting with the members of the ANVR and from AFRO, brief the Team lead TVD and Technical Officer VBD at WHO AFRO, Prepare and submit the final Regional Guideline together with the comprehensive report by the end date of the contract.

2. Description of duties

Outline clear tasks and deliverables, to be carried out in the framework of the background described above.

These need to be time-bound and specific.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

Under the direct supervision of the Team Lead -Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases Control, the incumbent duties shall conduct and develop a final Regional Guidelines for the control and management of vector-borne diseases in the WHO African Region

1. Conduct literature review on vector-borne diseases surveillance and control, particularly arboviruses, including vector distribution, bionomics, resistance profiles, transmission potential, amenability to vector control interventions and innovations
2. Virtually Meet the relevant MOH staff and partners to gain insight on their experiences and expectations in dealing with vector-borne diseases.
3. Assess the role of partners and stakeholders including communities in vector-borne diseases surveillance, control, prevention, and elimination.
4. Carry out desk assessment of the available normative guidance and country strategic documents on vector-borne diseases, and pertinent vector control documents.
5. Evaluate the information gathered to identify the gaps, strengths, and opportunities to facilitate evidence-based development of an effective and context-specific guideline.
6. Develop a draft framework for the proposed Guideline highlighting scope, core elements, key actions, innovations, and how it links with and leverage the attributes of the IVM approach and harnessing the GLAI and GVCR.
7. Conduct a virtual meeting to consult with the members of the African Network on Vector Resistance (ANVR) and head of national vector control units from countries that have merged malaria and OVBDs- such as Rwanda and Sudan, on the draft framework and to get additional guidance on the scope, core elements and structure of the proposed strategy, and to ensure programmatic issues are consider.
8. Consolidate the overall information gathered and review the existing draft structure in view of the outcomes of the analysis of available information and inputs of the ANVR members.
9. Develop the zero draft of the comprehensive Regional Guidelines for the control and management of vector-borne diseases in the WHO African Region
10. Share the draft Regional Guideline with WHO AFRO and ANVR members for inputs
11. Conduct a virtual meeting with WHO AFRO and members of the ANVR and to get further feedback and additional guidance and inputs/comments.
12. Revise the draft Regional Guideline in line with the inputs and comments at the virtual meeting with the members of the ANVR and from AFRO.
13. Brief the Team lead TVD and Technical Officer VBD at WHO AFRO
14. Prepare and submit short mission report to AFRO together with the final Regional Guideline by the end date of the contract
15. Perform other related tasks as requested by the supervisor.

3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Identify the educational qualifications and expertise needed for the terms of reference outlined above.

Educational Qualifications

• The consultant should have a minimum of a master’s degree in any of the following relevant disciplines: medical entomology, environmental health, public health, tropical medicine, biomedical science

Experience

• At least 10 years’ experience in operational research on vector borne diseases and their control and public health programme management at national and international levels
• Substantial level of experience in development of vector surveillance and control related technical documents such as strategies, guidelines and plans

Skills/Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of vector borne diseases bionomics and control, and in general health and environmental policy and strategies in Africa
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the local, regional, and global responses to vector-borne diseases, vector control and insecticide resistance monitoring
• Excellent writing and analytical skills

Competencies:

Candidate should be able to:

1. Produce results
2. Communicate in a credible and effective way
3. Ensure effective use of resources
4. Move forward in a changing environment
5. Respect and promote individual and cultural differences; building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.

Languages and level required

Expert knowledge of English, Working knowledge of French and other will be an added advantage.

4. Travel - If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required

Please specify any expected travel(s): dates, location and purpose.

A living expense is payable to on-site consultants – please refer to Information Note 08/2019 for details on eligibility.

Place of assignment: field assignment

5. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Rate [daily or monthly or for language and publishing services by word count or number of pages]:

Proposed level: P4 or P5 based on qualification and experience.

Currency:

United States Dollars (USD)

Work schedule (if applicable) :

Table 1: Provisional plan of work

WHO AFRO Brazzaville Congo

Please refer to Information Note 09/2021 for guidance on rates for consultants.