Consultancy TB prevention and care
BACKGROUND
Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem in Papua New Guinea (PNG), one of the 30 high TB and MDR-TB burden countries in the world. The estimated incidence of TB was 441 per 100,000 population in 2020, which is one of the highest globally and in the Western Pacific Region. TB treatment success rate stands at 71% in 2020. TB is a leading cause of death in PNG with estimated mortality rate of 49 per 100,000 population in 2020.
National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis for Papua New Guinea 2021–2025 has been developed and it aims to increase treatment success rate at least to 85% for all forms of TB, to provide universal drug susceptibility testing to at least 90% of people with TB, to increase HIV testing among people diagnosed with TB to at least 90% and to improve technical and managerial capacity of NTP at all levels.
Current COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted delivery of TB services in Papua New Guinea. TB case notifications have been reduced by 8% in 2020 and 21% in 2021 as compared to 2019. The National Capital District is the province with highest burden of TB in the country and the majority of COVID-19 cases have been reported in NCD. As of 6 February 2022, there were 38,222 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country and 27% (10,339) of cases were in NCD. The NCD registered a 14% (972 case) decrease in case notifications in 2020, from 6,819 in 2019 to 5,849 cases in 2020 and the reduction is even more in 2021. This is attributed to COVID-19 lockdowns and interruptions in service availability.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic active case finding interventions which includes systematic screening of the population in NCD for active TB disease have been postponed in 2020 and 2021. In the end of 2021, WHO, NTP and NCD PHA have agreed to start implementation of the systematic screening initiative in 2022. This important intervention is one of the milestones of the Emergency TB Project financed by the loan from the World Bank and implemented by NTP and NCD PHA with technical support from WHO. In addition, TB prevention and care in PNG are supported by major donors such as Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia and the Global Fund. The Emergency Tuberculosis Project focuses on expansion of the coverage, quality and utilization of services aimed at controlling the spread of TB including DR-TB in the Western Province and the National Capital District.
In order to provide effective support to the NTP in planning, implementation and monitoring of the systematic screening of the population for active TB disease and other relevant activities, WHO Papua New Guinea office will provide technical support through recruitment of a short-term consultant. The STC will work under the leadership of WHO Representative and in collaboration with the NTP.
PURPOSE/ SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical assistance to the National TB Program, Papua New Guinea on TB prevention, care and treatment and to undertake the specific tasks as reflected under description of activities and deliverables.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
Specifically, the consultant will work with the NTP -PNG and its partners to:
- Provide technical guidance and support to NTP and NCD PHA for planning, implementation & monitoring of the systematic screening of the population for active TB in NCD
- Coordinate with NTP, NCD PHA and partners and provide technical guidance in selection and use of appropriate data management tool for the systematic screening of the population
- Coordinate and provide technical support in development of detailed SOPs for implementation of the systematic screening activities
- Provide technical support in building capacity of NCD PHA and NTP on systematic screening for tuberculosis
- Provide technical support in strengthening the implementation of electronic TB information system in NCD and Western province
- Prepare progress and final reports
Expected deliverables include:
- Protocol and SOPs for systematic screening of the population for active TB in NCD developed and finalized
- Data management system for systematic screening initiative established
- Detailed SOPs for implementation of systematic screening for TB developed and finalized
- NTP and NCD PHA capacity strengthened on systematic screening for TB
- Progress and final reports developed and submitted
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITIES
The Contractor/s will be supporting the WHO Country Office and the National TB Programme to plan, implement, monitor and report on the planned activities. This would require 3 months from March 21, 2022 to the end of June 2022.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES
Education
Essential:
Master’s Degree in Medicine (MD, MB BS) and/or Public Health, and/or Social Sciences or related area
Experience
Essential:
At least 7 years of public health work experience of which at least 3 years in communicable diseases, including TB;
Expertise in the implementation of policies and programs to fight against tuberculosis, with experience in the implementation of programs at the national and subnational levels;
Related experience in managing resources and working effectively in a multi-stakeholder international environment including developing and promoting collaborative actions with national authorities.
Desirable:
Previous experience with WHO, in UN organizations/agencies, international institutions or nongovernmental organizations, particularly in developing countries;
Previous experience in implementation of systematic screening of TB.
Skills/Knowledge
- • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to interact effectively with various stakeholders including government officials, project implementers, project beneficiaries, among others
- • Good technical knowledge of WHO policies and guidelines on TB
- • Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills
- • Ability to work in a team with limited supervision
Languages
- • Demonstrated capacity to write clearly and concisely and communicate in English
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Duty station: Port Moresby – Papua New Guinea
APPLICATIONS
Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV or WHO Personal History and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to < wproungm@who.int > and < wppnghr@who.int > by 4 March 2022
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. 167031 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted