Consultant - technical assistance to the National TB Program
BACKGROUND
The NTP is one of the six priority programs of Solomon Islands. Although the program has been highly effective in containing the TB epidemic and meeting the targets up till 2015, and as set its National Strategic Plan, there are still some gaps, the country still has the second highest number of tuberculosis cases in the Pacific Islands Countries and Territories. Every fifth person with TB goes undetected and patients are diagnosed late causing ongoing transmission. Access barriers, lack of diagnostic service at rural health centers and lack of sample transport mechanism play a major role for 'missing cases'. Treatment success rate is reported high. However, adherence in continuation phase is of grave concern. Lack of supervision and support at the community level during continuation phase of TB treatment results irregular adherence to the treatment. Community based DOTS has been difficult to implement owing to the dearth of strong health systems and community systems at the grass-root level. In the current model, TB patients need to stay first two months in the hospital, which causes enormous family and financial burden.
Solomon Islands conducted its first Joint TB Programme Review in July 2019. During this review lack of community engagement was recognized as a major challenge contributing to patient delays in seeking health care. The JPR recommended reducing this access barrier and to strengthen community networks. The lack of community awareness remains one of the major barriers to early case referrals and support during continuation phase of treatment. Considering this challenge, Solomon Islands initiated a community based integrated service delivery project in 2020 with the objective to demonstrate community based integrated service delivery model in 3 project sites in the Solomon Islands with a primary focus on Tuberculosis.
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical assistance to the National TB Program, Solomon Islands to review the Community Based Integrated Project and to undertake the specific tasks as reflected under duties and responsibilities
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
- to review of the community based integrated service delivery project
- To develop the project evaluation plan including data collection format and focus group discussion format
- Guide data collection and organization of focus group discussion
- Analyse and prepare an evaluation report
- Advise/recommend strengthening the project and rollout to other parts of the country
- provide guidance and recommendations to strengthen contact tracing and review the monitoring tools
- advise/recommend on the sustainability of the project in future, considering the low resource setting in Solomon Islands.
- provide guidance and recommendations on how the project’s activities can be included in the provincial microplanning budgets
- identify how the project can strengthen links from communities to the health system
- conduct seminar for medical doctors on LTBI
- other related work as assigned by the supervisor.
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
Desk review and analysis, and virtual meetings
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Essential: First level university degree in Medicine and/or epidemiology/and /or Social Sciences
Desirable: Master’s Degree in Medicine (MD, MB BS) and/or Public Health, and/or Epidemiology, and/or Social Sciences or related area
EXPERIENCE
Essential: At least 5 years of public health work experience of which at least 3 years in communicable diseases, including TB;
Related experience in managing resources and working effectively in a multi-stakeholder international environment including developing and promoting collaborative actions with national authorities.
Previous experience with WHO, in UN organizations/agencies, international institutions or nongovernmental organizations, particularly in developing countries; and experience of working in Solomon Islands
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- • Good technical knowledge of WHO policies and guidelines on TB
- • Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills
- • Excellent communication skills
- • Ability to work in a team with limited supervision
- • Ability to work under pressure
- • Ability to work as part of a team, and high level of interpersonal skills to work with National Department of Health and partners
- • Ability to communicate via internet and have the capacity to organize and facilitate online meetings
LANGUAGES
Excellence in communication and writing skills in English
COMPETENCIES
- • Ability to communicate in a credible and effective way
- • Ability to foster integration and teamwork
- • Ability to respect and promote individual and cultural differences
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- • This assignment will be done remotely.
- • Duration of contract is from 1 September – 31 October 2021
APPLICATIONS
Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 16 August 2021
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. 137089 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.