Consultant - AMR, WPRO, Lao, HSD

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1. Area of expertise :

Consultant – Antimicrobial resistance (AMR )

2. Purpose of consultancy

This consultancy aims to support the coordinated implementation of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) activities in line with the National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Lao PDR 2019-2023 in close coordination with national and international counterparts.

3. Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health threat of huge concern. The rapid global spread of multi- resistant bacteria that cause common infections and that resist treatment with existing antimicrobial medicines is alarming and urging our immediate actions to address this critical issue.

In May 2015 the World Health Assembly approved a global action plan to combat AMR. This action plan reflects a global consensus of countries, organizations, multiple sectors including key partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and civil society. It sets out five strategic objectives: (1) to improve awareness and understanding of AMR; (2) to strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research; (3) to reduce the incidence of infection; (4) to optimize the use of antimicrobial agents; and (5) to ensure sustainable investment in countering AMR.

Further, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific Vision, endorsed by the Regional Committee Meeting in 2019, identified AMR as one of the key priorities to be addressed urgently towards the healthiest and safest Region for the future. With this strong commitment, the Framework for Accelerating Action to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance in the Western Pacific Region was also adopted at the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee Meeting in the same year.

In Lao PDR, the National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Lao PDR 2019-2023 was developed based on consultations with key stakeholders across relevant sectors under the leadership of the Ministry of Health. It identified a set of key priorities in moving forward the AMR agenda in the country. With substantial support from various partners, there have been lots of progress in strengthening AMR surveillance system and reporting the AMR surveillance data through the global platform, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS), establishing antimicrobial consumption (AMC) monitoring system at the national and healthcare facility levels and enhancing antimicrobial stewardship with improved awareness on the importance of AMR.

Based on requests from the Ministry of Health, WHO plans to provide continued and more intensified support to make further progress across the AMR surveillance, AMC monitoring, antimicrobial use monitoring and antimicrobial stewardship and strengthen coordination across the government sectors in coordination with partners in the area.

4. Work to be performed

Under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Health Systems Development (HSD) Team in WHO Country Office in Lao PDR and the guidance by all relevant team members in HSD and WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) team leader, the consultant will work with focal points for AMR in the Ministry of Health, relevant line Ministries, national counterparts (including hospitals and/or clinical associations), and development partners in the area closely. The consultant will conduct the following activities and submit regular reports:

• Support in collecting, analysing, and interpreting data and writing reports relating to antimicrobial consumption (AMC) and use (AMU) monitoring at the national and hospital levels
• Support for AMS activities, linking with AMC and AMU monitoring, AMR surveillance, and infection prevention and control in close collaboration with MOH, hospitals and development partners
• Liaise, facilitate, and convene a coordination mechanism on AMR activities including AMR surveillance in human in alignment with the National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Lao PDR 2019-2023 among relevant departments in the Ministry of Health, relevant line Ministries, UN agencies, development partners and donors as needed
• Write reports and provide updates to WHO and relevant partners as required

Deliverable date: 30 Sep 2023

Output/s

Output 1: Support for AMC/AMU monitoring

Deliverable 1.1: Support for data collection and analysis for AMC monitoring at national and hospital levels

Deliverable 1.2: AMC workshop concept note and meeting materials

Deliverable 1.3: Follow-up support for AMU monitoring in central hospitals trained for AMU monitoring and training in selected provinces according to the Department of Healthcare Rehabilitation (DHR)’s plan

Deliverable date: 30 Sep 2023

Output 2. Support for AMS implementation

Deliverable 2.1: Concept note on the AMS programme implementation plan and support for implementation of it connecting with all AMR activities, AMC and AMU monitoring, AMR surveillance and infection prevention and control, to improve rational use of antimicrobials

Output 3: Support for coordination on AMR activities with the government across relevant sectors and development partners

Deliverable 3.1: Support for the national AMR committee for monitoring of the progress on AMR related activities including AMR surveillance in human according to the priorities in the National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Lao PDR 2019-2023 and information sharing within the health sector and with relevant sectors of the government of Lao PDR and development partners

Deliverable 3.2: Facilitate and convene strategic coordination meetings for regular updates on the progress and way forward in AMR with development partners

5. Specific Requirements

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree in medicine, pharmacy, microbiology or other health related fields

Desirable: Postgraduate degree in epidemiology, microbiology or global/public health.

Experience

Essential: Minimum of five years' work experience in public health related to AMR

Desirable:

• In-depth understanding on AMR related issues
• Experience in implementing AMR activities such as AMR surveillance, AMC monitoring, AMU monitoring and AMS programmes at the national or subnational level in resource-constrained settings
• Work experiences in international organisations

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Excellent knowledge in infectious diseases and AMR-related issues
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with Government counterparts, WHO colleagues, donors, and relevant partners
• Excellent planning, organization and coordinating skills
• Strong results-based programme management experience, with particular focus on policy, planning and capacity building
• Good knowledge of the country and Greater Mekong sub-region context
• Proficiency in standard MS Office applications including MS Excel, MS Word, and MS PowerPoint

Desirable:

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

Essential:

Written and spoken fluency in English (Read – Write – Speak / "Expert" level)

6. Competencies

7. Place of assignment

On site: WHO Country Office Lao PDR, Vientiane Capital

8. Medical Clearance

Individual consultants must provide WHO fitness for work form from their physician.

9. Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

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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• 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.
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