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Qualifications

Area of expertise:

International Consultant – HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STIs

Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of the VN is to establish the roster of qualified professionals and subject experts with relevant expertise to meet the need in the fields of HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STIs (HHS) in any or more than one technical areas such as:  epidemiology, surveillance, strategic information, clinical, laboratory, drug resistance, public health programming and strategic planning, Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT), TB-HIV, health economics/financing related to disease elimination of above, and health systems.  The roster aims to select expertise who can work with the Region and countries of SEARO in the above thematic areas from time to time.

Background  

WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR) consisting of Bangladesh, Bhutan, DPR Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste. The South-East Asia Region carries a significant burden of these diseases, with 24% of the global burden of Hepatitis, 10% of the HIV burden, and 16% of the four curable STIs (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis). The epidemics in the WHO South-East Asia region is diverse among different population groups, including some countries which have 50% of new infection among young people. Although new infections in the Region have reduced by 45% and AIDS-related deaths reduced by 63% since 2010, accelerated efforts are needed to meet the 2030 elimination goals. The burden of viral hepatitis and STIs are substantial, with needs for scaling up good quality services. Triple elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV, syphilis and viral hepatitis is a global initiative and most countries in the region are working towards implementing the initiative.

There is a constant requirement to provide needs-based technical support through high-level expertise to countries of the Region.  Therefore, WHO SEAR Office intends to establish a roster of consultants to provide technical assistance and strategic recommendations for the accelerated implementation of HHS programmes in the Region. The thematic areas include, but not limited to – epidemiology, surveillance, strategic information, clinical (including management of comorbidities), pediatric care, laboratory, drug resistance, public health programming and strategic planning, Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT), TB-HIV, health economics/financing related to disease elimination of above, and health systems.

Subject to availability, WHO SEARO will preferentially hire subject experts from the established roster on short term basis for regional and country support.

Deliverables

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor in the Hepatitis, HIV and STIs Unit and the overall guidance of Director, Communicable Diseases, the consultants will be expected to fulfill TORs mentioned in the contract as exemplified below, and submit specified deliverables related to supporting countries in the following areas, such as:

• Review and update country policies, strategies and guidelines as per WHO recommendations in the HHS and EMTCT area, aligned with WHO global and regional guidance and frameworks;
• Conduct programme reviews or assessment missions on behalf of the WHO at country, regional and HQ levels and participate in related meetings and discussions.
• Conduct technical reviews, evaluations and epidemiological analysis towards formulation of evidence for undertaking interventions.
• Facilitate consensus building workshops/meetings with in-country partners and stakeholders.
• Develop proposals for donor funding including preparation of detailed costing and M&E framework in alignment with donor needs.
• Assessment of laboratory and diagnostic capacity and needs for expansion to meet the country and global goals of ending HHS.
• Assess existing multisectoral and community networks and its efficacy in country context and needs for further improvement.
• Undertake modelling exercises for disease burden and investment case analysis to respective countries or the Region.
• Prepare and submit detailed reports to the national programme and WHO Technical Unit and adhering to the highest technical quality expected of a WHO report.
• Facilitate capacity-building activities, including training workshops and webinars, for health professionals and stakeholders.

The hired consultant(s) will be expected to submit the final assignment report along with other technical products as per the terms and conditions of the consultancy contract.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:  

Essential: Medical degree/public health degree/relevant bachelor’s degree will be required for all levels in the subject areas for which enrollment is applied. For community engagement/specialist – the relevant experience in the field is adequate.

Desirable: Advanced degree (Masters/PhD) in medical, public health and other related fields for Band B and C levels

Experience  

Essential:

• Band Level A: Up to 5 years of relevant experience including some years of international experience
• Band Level B: 5 to 10 years of relevant experience, some of which should have been obtained in an international context
• Band Level C: Over 10 years of relevant experience including considerable experience obtained in an international context.

Desirable:

• Experience in the relevant field mentioned in the description and deliverables of this position.
• Experience as an independent as well as joint international technical assistance/review mission in relevant field in country, particularly in the WHO South-East Asia Region.
• Experience in providing trainings and conduct workshop in relevant field – individually or as institutional arrangements

Skills/Knowledge: 

• Ability to work independently on MS Office applications and computer skills for making high quality technical presentations.
• Analytical skills in review of available data and producing relevant reports and visualization with time-bound recommendations.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

• Knowledge of English with excellent written and verbal communication is essential.
• Knowledge of regional language(s) would be an asset.

Location:

Multiple, in the SEA Region

Travel:  Both on-site and off-site support may be required based on country needs and specific ToRs of the consultancy

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

• Band level A: monthly remuneration from USD 3,955 to USD 6,980
• Band level B: monthly remuneration from USD 7,000 to USD 9,980
• Band level C: monthly remuneration from USD 10,000 to USD 12,500

Living expenses: Per diem will be paid as per WHO rules applicable to international consultant for travel

Expected duration of contract (tentative): More than 6 months; Start target date: 1 October 2024

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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