• Country: Manila, Philippines
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: WHO
• Gender: Both 
• Deadline: 2024-01-03

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will provide expert technical support to facilitate and monitor the regional response to viral hepatitis, in alignment with the WHO’s regional and global strategies. This role is pivotal in working collaboratively with the team addressing HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other communicable and non-communicable diseases, with a particular emphasis on the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, viral hepatitis, and syphilis (EMTCT). The consultant’s primary goal is to foster synergy and coherence in fulfilling the HSI mandate within the Division of Programmes for Disease Control at WPRO.

Background

The Western Pacific Region (WPR) has experienced notable strides towards numerous health objectives. However, these advancements have not been uniformly distributed, and certain communicable diseases, such as viral hepatitis, continue to pose significant public health challenges in various countries within the region. As of 2019, WPR accounted for 130 million people living with chronic hepatitis B or C, representing 40% of the global burden. Despite this, there are considerable gaps in the hepatitis B and C care continuum, particularly in terms of diagnosis and treatment accessibility. For instance, out of 116 million individuals with hepatitis B in the WPR, only 18% have been diagnosed, and a mere 5% have received treatment. In the case of hepatitis C, out of 10 million affected individuals, 25% have been diagnosed, and only 10% have received treatment, according to 2021 data.

The HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs team of the Integrated Communicable Diseases unit (HSI/ICD) is crucial in leading and encouraging coordinated efforts among government and societal sectors. Its fundamental objective is to develop efficient, sustainable, multi-sectoral responses aimed at eliminating HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs as public health threats by 2030. This mission is accomplished through various critical actions, including guiding national strategies and policies to extend the reach of quality interventions; leading and coordinating the collaborative efforts of stakeholders, encompassing civil society and affected communities; enhancing health information systems and engaging in research to refine programs and services; and advocating for integrated, coordinated approaches within the wider health systems framework.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start:  1 February 2024

End:    31 December 2024

Work to be performed

Under the supervision of the coordinator, the consultant will carry out the following tasks, in collaboration with relevant departments at WHO Headquarters, the Regional Office, Country Offices, Member States, and partners, including WHO Collaborating Centers. These activities are designed to collectively achieve the Unit’s goals and align with the thematic focus of “reaching the unreached” as outlined in “For the Future: towards the Healthiest and Safest Region”, a vision for WHO’s collaboration with Member States and Partners in the Western Pacific:

1. Support Enhancement of Viral Hepatitis Services: Aligning with new WHO technical guidelines and regional/global strategic frameworks, provide technical support to the countries to strengthen simplified and dementalized viral hepatitis services and promote the integration of viral hepatitis services into the national health system through onsite and offsite support.
2. Improve Strategic Information: Strengthen the strategic information of viral hepatitis to summarize the hepatitis statistics in WPR and support countries in implementing exercises of strategic information such as the hepatitis investment cases, seroprevalence survey, and disease surveillance in several focused countries in collaboration with WHO partners.
3. Coordinate World Hepatitis Day Campaigns: Prepare and manage regional communication campaigns for World Hepatitis Day on 28 July 2024, enhancing awareness and engagement.
4. Advocate for EMTCT Activities: Promote and support national initiatives related to the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis, working closely with the Regional Validation Committee (RVC).
5. Assist in Developing Operational Resources: Participate in the review and publication process of operational guides and tools, ensuring they are effective, up-to-date, and user-friendly.
6. Strengthen Communication Networks: Foster and enhance communication with various networks focusing on hepatitis, including within WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, other development partners, research organizations, Member States, and civil society, ensuring a cohesive and collaborative approach.

Method(s) to carry out the activity

The consultant will employ a variety of methods to achieve the outlined deliverables. These methods include data analysis, field visits, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and collaborative work with WHO departments and external partners. The approach will be adaptive, ensuring responsiveness to the dynamic needs and challenges faced in the Western Pacific Region.

Outputs/Deliverables

Output 1:  Inception Report

Deliverable 1.1  A comprehensive report detailing the project plan, objectives, methodology, timeline, and targeted countries.

Deliverable 1.2  A Gantt chart to visually represent the project’s timeline and key milestones.

Output 2:  Country Profiles

Deliverable 2.1  Concise profiles focusing on the viral hepatitis epidemiology, cause and effect analysis, and primary solutions for seven focused countries and the region.

Output 3:  Summary report of hepatitis statistics and access to hepatitis products:

Deliverable 3.1  Compilation and summarization of WPR country data from the Global Hepatitis Report 2022 and Global Hepatitis Access Report.

Deliverable 3.2  Data visualization using figures, graphs, and tables for the region and specific countries in WPR.

Output 4:   Field Mission Reports

Deliverable 4.1  Detailed reports from field visits to Cambodia, Mongolia, and the Philippines, documenting challenges, opportunities, and priorities for hepatitis elimination.

Output 5:  Materials for the Regional Communicable Disease Meeting

Deliverable 5.1  Development of presentation slides and documents for the Communicable Disease Program Manager’s meeting in the WHO Western Pacific Region.

Output 6:  Regional communications plan and materials

Deliverable 6.1  Development and implementation of a regional communication plan for World Hepatitis Day (28 July 2024).

Deliverable 6.2  Technical review and support of communications materials from countries, in collaboration with relevant departments.

Output 7:  Materials for the EMTCT Regional Validation Committee Meeting

Deliverable 7.1  Preparation of presentation materials for the Regional Validation Committee (RVC) meetings on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B, HIV, and Syphilis.

Deliverable 7.2  Support for the RVC meeting and country validation processes.

Output 8:  Final Draft of the Operational Guide

Deliverable 8.1  Creation of the final draft of the Operational Guide on Testing, Vaccination, and Care for Viral Hepatitis among Health Workers in the Western Pacific Region.

Deliverable 8.2  Review and updating of the guide based on the latest WHO technical guidance and inclusion of actionable strategies for stakeholders.

Output 9:  Progress Report

Deliverable 9.1  Periodic reports documenting the progress of the project, adherence to timelines, and any methodological adjustments made.

Output 10:  Final Report

Deliverable 10.1  A final report concisely synthesizing all consultancy works including country profile, country support, field mission, and regional meeting support.

Deliverable 10.1  Recommendations for policy and practice to reach the unreached and end and eliminate diseases in the WPR.

Qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge, and languages

Education required:

Essential:  University degree in medicine or equivalent degree in sciences from a recognized university.

Desirable:  A postgraduate degree in public health, epidemiology, or a related field from a recognized university is an asset.

Experience required:

Essential:  Minimum of 7 years relevant work experience at national and international level in HIV/STI and viral hepatitis.
Desirable:  Experience in epidemiological analysis, viral hepatitis, and elimination of mother-to-child transmission is desirable.  Country-based experience in low and middle-income countries is an asset.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Essential:  Technical skills in epidemiology
Desirable:  Specific knowledge in website development

Language requirements:

Essential:  Written and spoken fluency in English

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