Malaria elimination specialist

BACKGROUND

In Vanuatu, remarkable progress has been made against malaria. The last reported death due to malaria was in 2011, and the annual parasite incidence dropped from 32.6 per 1000 in 2010 to 1.7 per 1000 in 2020. A new National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination 2021-2026 has been developed to guide progress towards the vision of a malaria free Vanuatu, contributing to the good health and well-being of the population.

In 2018, a Vanuatu Operational Manual for Malaria Elimination was developed that outlines malaria elimination concepts, objectives, preparations, strategic components, information systems and monitoring and evaluation systems for Vanuatu. However, since it’s development there have been changes made to various process, forms and documents used by the Malaria and Other Vector Borne Diseases Control Program. For instance, there has also been a shift in the approach taken to elimination and key indicators as articulated in the new Strategic Plan, and case classifications require adaption to the Vanuatu context. The Vanuatu Operational Manual for Malaria Elimination therefore requires significant update to align with the Strategic Plan and associated items.

At the request of the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, the WHO Vanuatu Country Liaison Office are seeking a consultant to provide technical assistance to update the Vanuatu Operational Manual for Malaria Elimination to align with the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination 2021-2026.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide support to the Vanuatu Ministry of Health to update the Vanuatu Operational Manual for Malaria Elimination and associated items. This is required to align the documents with the new National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination 2021-2026 so as to support the Vanuatu Ministry of Health to achieve and sustain malaria elimination.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Under the guidance of the Coordinator of the Malaria and Other Vector Borne Diseases Control Program, the Malaria Surveillance Officer, the Health Information Officer and the WHO Technical Officer for Malaria and other vector-borne diseases:

• • Appraise the Vanuatu Operational Manual for Malaria Elimination in reference to the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination 2021-2026, associated document and WHO guidance, and provide a summary of proposed updates
• • Implement updates, in consultation and based on feedback from the Ministry of Health and WHO
• • Document in brief the changes made to the document
• • Finalise the document content and layout in consultation with the Ministry of Health and WHO
• • Develop a powerpoint presentation or other information tools as agreed to communicate the key content of the document

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The consultant(s) or consulting company will work remotely due to current COVID-19 travel restrictions and will use a range of communication tools and strategies to coordinate with MoH and WHO counterparts.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:

• • A post-graduate qualification from a recognised university in a relevant technical area, such as public health, epidemiology or health policy.

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• • Minimum of five years of professional experience in malaria control in an elimination setting
• • Demonstrated experience working with government and other partners in the public health sector.

Desirable:

• • Experience working in Pacific Island countries and areas or small island nations.
• • Evidence of having successfully completed similar tasks.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Excellent knowledge of WHO policies and guidance, especially those related to malaria elimination.
• • Familiarity with Vanuatu malaria situation and setting.
• • Good analytical thinking.
• • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• • Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• • Ability to conduct data analyses, including collecting, collating and presenting survey data.

LANGUAGES

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.

COMPETENCIES

Teamwork; respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences; communication; knowing and managing yourself; and, producing results.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit to the Supply Officer through WPRO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 24 June 2021:

1. Expression of Interest {cover letter} that indicates: a) how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position, b) proposed daily consultancy fee, and c) availability to commence the work.  
2. Curriculum vitae.

Please use Tender Notice No. 131636 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Progress of this work is subject to confirmation of funding.