Support Lao National TB programme (Agreement for Performance of Work)
BACKGROUND
Lao PDR remains a high TB burden country of the WHO Western Pacific Region with an estimated incidence of 164 TB all forms cases per 100,000 population. The National TB programme started the DOTS strategy in 1995 and covered the whole primary health care network since 2005, but the estimated treatment coverage is still low at 57% in 2018 (WHO). National TB Centre (NTC) conducted comprehensive evaluation on progress of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2015-2020 in collaboration with WHO and partners on November 2019. Based on the program review results, NTC has been working on the development of the new NSP for TB for 2021-2025.
The TB NSP for the period of 2021-2025 has set objectives and related targets in line with the current national, regional, and international TB strategy trough: Strengthening the core TB control in all facilities of the primary health cares, improving access to diagnosis and treatment for co-infection with HIV, multidrug resistance and addressing the needs of other priority high-risk groups, involving all partners and strengthening monitoring and evaluation, operational research and TB programme management.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFTAM) has been the main contributor to the National TB programme till 2020. GF and World Bank will jointly provide financial support to MoH including TB program under the Health and Nutrition Services Access Project (HANSA 2021-2025) which aims to improve access to quality health and nutrition services in targeted areas of Lao PDR. HANSA is result based payment system and NTC shall achieve agreed targets indicators to have the fund which is used for implementation of priority activities in the new NSP 2021-2025.
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
WHO is looking for the company / agency who can provide a service of consultant(s) who provide technical support to the Lao National TB programme in the aspects of implementation of following priority TB control activities:
- Assist the director of the National Tuberculosis Center (NTC) in providing technical support to success of an ongoing grant making negotiation for GF/HANSA 2021-2023;
- Work with NTC and partners in providing technical support to Xpert expansion activities including optimization of specimen transportation and Xpert usage for HIV Viral Load testing and Covid19 testing;
- Plan, support and conduct intensified TB detection activities among high risk groups including PLHIV, TB patients contacts, prisoners, factories, co-morbidities and other priority groups as needed;
- Work with NTC and other partners in programmatic management of drug resistant TB and support study for short all-oral regimens for Rifampicin-resistant TB;
- Provide technical support for coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of TB control activities with stakeholders by using DHIS2 TB Tracker; and
- Submit a written report at the end of assignment.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The above actions should be led or/and facilitated by the APW through daily working, communicating, and other meetings/seminars/workshops with NTC’s director, technical staff and other TB partners. Periodical field work is required for APW to understand the situation in ground level to build better understanding the situation and support needed
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
Output 1: Technical support provided to success of an ongoing grant making negotiation for GF/HANSA 2021-2023
• Deliverable 1.1: Completed support to the NTC to respond to all queries that relate to GF programme management including the meeting and consultation with stakeholders, and partners.
• Deliverable 1.2: Communication for approval of grant making negotiation for GF/TB 2021-2023;
• Deliverable 1.3: Submit year-end technical report on technical assistance provided to the ongoing Global Fund grant implementation.
Output 2: Technical support to ongoing (i) Xpert expansion activities including optimization of specimen transportation; (ii) strengthening active TB case finding; and (iii) programmatic management of drug resistant tuberculosis
• Deliverable 2.1: Review and support current TB testing strategies including Xpert expansions and Xpert usage for HIV Viral Load testing and Covid19 testing
• Deliverable 2.2: Review the TB active case finding data and support the effective implementation of the TB active case finding in prisons and high TB burden area
• Deliverable 2.3: Support programmatic management of drug resistant tuberculosis and study for Short all-Oral Regimens for Rifampicin-resistant TB;
• Deliverable 2.4: Delivery of a report which outlines the overall support provided in the activities under output 2 over the course of the assignment
Output 3: Technical support provided for coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of TB control activities with stakeholders by using DHIS2 TB Tracker
• Deliverable 3.1: Complete relevant TB stakeholders and partner meeting and prepared outline of topics and action points of the meetings
• Deliverable 3.2: Monthly updates on support for the integration and reporting of surveillance and monitoring activities into DHIS2 TB Tracker
QUALIFICATION REQUIRED
Educational Degrees / Certificates
- • Essential: Degree in medicine and as well as a post-graduate qualification in public health.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- • Essential: Minimum 15 years’ experience in public health management, communicable disease control including Tuberculosis, preferably in Asia.
- • Desirable: Working experience with the WHO, with government such as the national TB program, and with Global Fund grant structures. Working experience in Lao PDR would be desirable.
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- • Technical expertise in the management of a public health programme with experience of designing and implementing TB related activities.
- • Extensive knowledge of TB case management and the interpretation of TB epidemiology in a public health context.
- • Skills in writing proposal, planning, training, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions, and in the development of locally adapted tools and instruments.
- • Proven successful experience of leading GFTAM grant development and management.
- • Proficiency in standard MS Office applications.
- • Ability to interact with health professionals at various levels and to do work with national counterparts, nongovernmental organizations and international agencies
LANGUAGES
- • Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.
COMPETENCIES
- • Technical expertise
- • Producing results
- • Communication
- • Teamwork
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The APW is expected that the consultant comes to the country and work closely with NTC staff as much as possible taking into account of the situation of travel restriction.
APPLICATIONS
Applicant shall submit a proposal including implement plan to complete all above-mentioned deliverables within the contract period and professional cost on this consultancy (Free form and max 2 pages) and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 31 July 2020.
The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.
Please use Tender Notice No. 111167 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.