CONSULTANCY: To support HAS unit in providing technical guidance to member states in the area of HIV and hepatitis. Band Level B

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to support HAS unit in providing technical guidance to member states in the area of HIV and hepatitis, and responding to country support requests.

2. Background

*The Technical Unit gives a quick overview of the overall project, defines its overall objectives, main steps and actions, timelines, funding, donor’s expectations, etc. The objective of this paragraph is to help potential candidates to understand how the consultancy contract will contribute to the overall project.

The objective of the WHO Regional Office of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) is to assist Member States in strengthening the health sector response to HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Member States are supported to develop appropriate health sector policies and strategies and effective organization and operation of comprehensive HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis prevention, care, and treatment programmes.

The HIV, Hepatitis and STI unit (HAS) is located within the Department of Communicable Diseases (DCD) at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO). The Unit provides expertise and leadership in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of HIV, Hepatitis and STI programmes. It also contributes to the development of global WHO guidance, norms and standards, by sharing Regional priorities, perspectives and contributions. HAS operates within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Universal Health Coverage (UHC) which are at core of the Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs (2022-2030) and EMR Regional Action Plan. These strategies aim to ending HIV, hepatitis and STIs as a public health problem by 2030.

The HIV epidemic in EMR continues to grow among key populations, and the coverage of services for prevention, testing and treatment remains low. The region has high burden of hepatitis C in specific countries and several countries face hepatitis B epidemics. The burden of STIs in the region is also substantial. In contrast, the national responses remain suboptimal often challenged by lack of capacity, resources, competing health priorities and conflict.

The HAS unit in EMRO provides focused technical support to members states in priority areas related to HIV, hepatitis and STIs across prevention, testing and treatment services. The unit works in a collaborative manner with other units, departments, and offices within WHO, including headquarter and country offices. The unit engages with national programmes, civil society organizations, donors, partners and other stakeholders to advocate, deliver technical support, mobilize resources, adapt normative guidance and optimize service delivery. The consultant will provide technical guidance and expert advice to member states in the areas of HIV and hepatitis.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 01/07/2024

End date: 31/12/2024

4. Work to be performed

Output 1: Provide expert input for the implementation of HAS workplan activities

Deliverable 1.1: Provide technical input into advocacy, normative materials and reports developed by HAS team and liaise with relevant teams and focal points in WHO headquarters and within DCD.

Deliverable 1.2: Provide strategic input into regional policy dialogue on HIV, hepatitis and STI testing scale-up in EMR, support HAS team in organizing the meeting and develop the report

Deliverable 1.3: Support HAS team and country office in conducting hepatitis provincial programme reviews (Punjab, Sindh) in Pakistan and participate in field missions

Deliverable 1.4: Provide strategic input into development of 100-day plan to bring the HIV response back on track in Pakistan and support HAS team in implementation and monitoring of plan

Output 2: Provide expert advice to member states in priority areas, in coordination with HAS team

Deliverable 2.1: Provide virtual technical assistance to countries in the areas of HIV and Hepatitis

Deliverable 2.2: Undertake country missions to provide technical guidance to country office and national programmes on a need basis

Deliverable 2.3: Liaise with partners and stakeholders, lead the meetings, develop recommendations and follow-up regularly to support implementation of recommendations

Output 3: Review policy gaps in HIV and hepatitis responses in member states and provide strategic advice

Deliverable 3.1: Collect national guidelines and policy documents for HIV and hepatitis and conduct a review to identify gaps and areas for update

Deliverable 3.2: Lead discussions with national programmes to identify means to address gaps and update policies

Deliverable 3.3: Support HAS team in dissemination of latest WHO guidance on HIV and hepatitis and adoption at country level

Output 4: Follow-up on the process for maintenance of validation of elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV/syphilis in Oman, and other countries upon request

Deliverable 4.1: Liaise with WHO country office and the ministry of health in Oman to establish the process for maintenance of validation of EMTCT of HIV/syphilis

Deliverable 4.2: Organize meetings and lead the discussions with the regional validation team to review the submission for maintaining validation of EMTCT in Oman

Deliverable 4.3: Document decisions and actions from the meetings and follow up to ensure implementation

Deliverable 4.4: Provide technical guidance to countries embarking on self-assessment of EMTCT of HIV/Hepatitis B/syphilis using WHO tools

5. Specific requirements

- Qualifications required:

Masters degree in Medicine

- Qualifications desirable:

A degree in public health or related field

- Experience required:

At least 7 years’ experience in public health, including at least 3 years in the area of HIV and/or hepatitis.

- Experience desirable:

Experience in programme implementation and monitoring in the region; experience or familiarity with WHO guidelines development processes.

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

1. Reporting and technical writing

2. Analytical (analysis and interpretation) skills

3. Communication skills

- Language requirements:

Fluency in English (Read - Write - Speak) is required

Working knowledge of Arabic or French is an asset

6. Place of assignment

Where is the Consultant expected to perform her/his work (please pay particular attention to the visa requirements if any) – Does this require travel?

Onsite at regional office (Cairo)

Travel when deemed necessary to provide technical assistance to countries or to attend meetings.

Medical clearance : The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.) All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance. Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Additional Information section

· 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.

· Remuneration is in line with WHO consultant established rates

· Successful candidates will be included in the roster for consideration for future contractual engagement via a consultancy, as they become available. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relationship with WHO

· 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.

· For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

· WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

· WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

· Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

· WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

· Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.

· WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

· Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that: (a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated; (b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided; (c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.