Consultant- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Stewardship roster - Band level A

Contract

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

1. Purpose of the consultancy

The overall purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical input to the implementation of the fourth strategic objective of the global action plan related to the optimization of antibiotic use by promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial stewardship at national and health care facility level in the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

2. Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as a global problem with significant health and economic dimensions. The World Health Assembly (WHA) in 2015 through its Resolution WHA68.7 urged all countries to develop their respective national action plans to combat AMR in alignment with the WHO Global Action Plan that was endorsed by the WHA. These policy initiatives acknowledge the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials as a main driver for the development of resistance, as well as a need to optimize the use of antimicrobials. 20-50% of all antibiotics prescribed in acute care hospitals are either unnecessary or inappropriate. Additionally, patients who are unnecessarily exposed to antibiotics are placed at risk for serious adverse events with no clinical benefit.

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is a coordinated activity that promotes the appropriate use of antimicrobials, improves patient outcomes, and reduces the emergence of resistance. These activities are usually carried on by national pharmacy departments within Ministries of Health. There is evidence that the implementation of both AMS and Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures have decreased the spread of infections caused by multi-drug resistant organisms.

Over the past several years, the AMR unit at WHO/EMRO supported several countries to collect comprehensive AMR surveillance data, national antimicrobial consumption data, as well as collecting data on the prevalence of antibiotic prescribing among hospitalized patients (point prevalence surveys).

The AMR/IPC Unit will establish a roster of consultants to support MS design and implement antimicrobial stewardship programmes at national and facility levels. The roster of consultants will provide the needed technical expertise to these priority countries to design, pilot and implement specific antimicrobial stewardship interventions and activities to optimize antimicrobial use (fourth strategic objective of the global action plan).

3. Planned timelines (consultants will be selected from the roster to conduct one or more of the below outputs and activities for EMR countries, subject to availability of funds and further confirmation)

Start date: 01 March 2023

End date: 31 December 2023

4. Work to be performed

The consultant(s) will perform one or more of the following:

Output 1: Support countries to develop systems to monitor antibiotic consumption at national and facility levels.

• Deliverable 1.1:Identify antimicrobial data sources, and methods to collect and aggregate national and hospital antimicrobial consumption data using WHO methodology.

• Deliverable 1.Produce analysis reports for AMC healthcare facility data for a number of EM countries

• Deliverable 1.3 Roll out the monitoring of consumption and AWARE index at the facility level

• Deliverable 1.4: Collect and compile information on prescribing practices of antibiotics and other information relevant to the treatment and management of infectious diseases in hospitalized patients through point prevalence surveys
• Deliverable 1.5 Provide technical support to the EM countries on how to identify AMC data sources, and methods to collect and aggregate national and hospital antimicrobial consumption (AMC) data using WHO methodology to be submitted to GLASS

Output 2: Promote more appropriate use of antibiotics through the roll-out of the WHO antibiotic book and associated app throughout the region, in primary and secondary care

• Deliverable 2.1: Provide technical input to countries in the adaptation/ development of treatment guidelines
• Deliverable 2.2: Prepare preservice and in-service training modules on appropriate prescribing

Output 3: Support countries in developing stewardship programmes at the hospital level

• Deliverable 3.1: Prepare technical material for the training programmes to be delivered in hospital antimicrobial stewardship
• Deliverable 3.2: Provide technical input for developing sustainable systems to ensure stewardship and appropriate use of AM in the EM countries

5. Specific requirements

Qualifications required:

• First university degree in clinical pharmacy, medicine or infectious diseases

Desirable:

• Postgraduate qualification in public health

Experience required:

• Up to 5 years’ experience in developing and implementing antimicrobial stewardship programmes
• Excellent knowledge of AWARE classification of antibiotic use needed for AMS.

Experience desired

• Work with an international/ UN agency

Skills:

• Excellent report writing skills in English
• Experience needed in data management and analysis skills.

Languages:

• Knowledge of English language is required
• Arabic/French is desirable

6. Place of assignment

WHO EMRO office CAIRO

7. Medical clearance

The selected consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8. Travel

The consultant is expected to predominately work remotely, however, travel may be required as needed.

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.