Consultant - provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and the WHO country office to respond to the generalized HIV epidemic in Djibouti

Contract

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

Purpose of the consultancy

<pre style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Courier New""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and the WHO country office to respond to the generalized HIV epidemic in Djibouti, through the implementation of the operational plan resulting from the revised national HIV strategic plan for the mid-term period 2020-2022.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<pre style="text-align:justify">
<span style="font-size:10pt"><span style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Courier New""><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="color:black">The general objective is to provide technical guidance for the implementation of the three 90% objectives focused on detection, initiation of ART and suppression of viral load.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

Background

The Republic of Djibouti is located in the Horn of Africa with an area of 23,200 km² for a population of approximately 1 million inhabitants. It shares the natural border with 5 countries. Due to its geographical position and its socio-political and economic stability, it represents a host country and a destination for several populations of diverse backgrounds. Djibouti has been hosting refugees since 1978 in three refugee villages situated in Alisabieh and Obock region; and a few scattered throughout the city of Djibouti. The country is also the main passage corridor for migrants to the Arabian Peninsula for mainly economic reasons, and also houses foreign military bases.

Djibouti has been facing the generalized epidemic of HIV / AIDS for many years and a lot of effort has been made by the government supported by international technical and financial partners to combat the disease. Currently there is a downward trend and the vision of the 2030 agenda is to achieve elimination with "zero new infections, zero deaths and zero discrimination"

This generalized type of HIV epidemic is represented with an HIV prevalence in the general population estimated at 1.2% [1.1-1.5] in 2018, down from 2002 (2.3%) and similar to 2016.

In 2011, according to the HIV Transmission Modes Study, about 39% of new infections occurred in low-risk couples and 24% in sex workers and their clients. Sentinel surveillance shows a declining trend in HIV prevalence in certain vulnerable groups.: Young people aged 15 to 24; Pregnant women; Blood donors; Tuberculosis patients; Key and vulnerable populations; Refugees / Migrants; Co-infection Tuberculosis and HIV and other comorbidities.

Analysis of HIV testing data showed that transmission is predominantly heterosexual (83.5%).

Through the mid-term review of the 2019-2022 NSP, the orientation of phase II 2020-2022 was centered on the concretization of the commitment made by the heads of state of the African Union in Abuja. to put an end to the epidemic by 2030 and Synergistic links with the National Health Development Plan (NHDP) 2020-2024 and the Sustainable Development Goals including in particular goals 3 and 5 :

More specifically, the aim will be to achieve by 2022 the status of a country having: Zero new infections, Zero AIDS-related deaths, Zero discrimination. With the following effects:

1. At least 70% of key and vulnerable populations adopt low risk behaviors (condom use……)

2. "90-90-90" objectives achieved or in the process of being achieved:

2.1 At least 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status by 2022

2.2 At least 45% of all people diagnosed with HIV receive sustained ARV treatment by 2022.

2.3 At least 76% of people on ARV treatment have an undetectable viral load in 2022

3. A maximum of 5% of key and vulnerable populations avoid accessing health services due to stigma and discrimination.

in order to make this vision effective and translate it into an operational action plan to be implemented on time. The Ministry of Health, through its HIV program, refers to the results of the mid-term review of the national strategic plan, to require international technical assistance in 2021. The expert will support the country in the development of screening and combined prevention strategies, update the management guide aligned with new WHO recommendations, and establish an ARV resistance surveillance system.

Planned timelines

Period of the mission

Modalities

Start Date

End Date

First period (April to June) =49 days

Remotely

15 April 2021

10 May 2021

Face to face

27 May 2021

10 June 2021

Hybrid

During the term of the contract with prior agreement

Second period (July to December) =45 days

Remotely

1 July 2021

25 July 2021

Face to face

1 September 2021

20 September 2021

Hybrid

During the term of the contract with prior agreement

Work to be performed

Output 1: Update the HIV testing strategy.

• Deliverable 1.1: Provide technical expertise for the development of an HIV testing guide (including community testing, self-testing, voluntary counseling and differentiated testing of key and vulnerable populations) after consultation with all stakeholders remotely or face to face.
• Deliverable 1.2: To Build a consensus for the validation of the national strategy and norms and standards of community and differentiated HIV testing in Djibouti.
• Deliverable 1.3: Develop a budgetable operational plan for the testing strategy.

Output 2: Update the HIV management guideline according to new WHO recommendations and in accordance with the dolutegravir transition plan.

• Deliverable 2.1: Provide technical expertise for the development of the HIV care guide aligned with the new WHO recommendations and the dolutegravir transition plan after consultation with stakeholders in the country.
• Deliverable 2.2: Provide technical expertise for the implementation of the transition plan to dolutegravir in Djibouti.
• Deliverable 2.3: Build a consensus for the validation of the updated HIV care guide taking into account the new recommendations and the dolutegravir transition plan in Djibouti.

Output 3: Provide technical expertise for training, and / or refresher courses, followed by coaching of these health care providers in the practical use of the new care guide in healthcare facilities.

• Deliverable 3.1: Provide technical expertise for the preparation of training modules for care providers in Djibouti based on the new updated care guide.
• Deliverable 3.2: Facilitate a training of trainer session and / or refresher courses to all health care providers in Djibouti for better management of people living with HIV according to the new updated guide.
• Deliverable 3.3: Provide post-training mentoring / coaching support for healthcare providers for proper use of new care guidelines in healthcare facilities and elsewhere.

Output 4: Provide technical expertise to develop a combined prevention strategy in Djibouti

• Deliverable 4.1: Provide technical expertise for the development of a combined prevention guide including specific indicators for PrEP, PEP, PMTCT of HIV, Distribution plan for condoms, syringes, prevention of the risk of exposure to contaminated blood, etc… by consulting all stakeholders remotely or face to face.

• Deliverable 4.2: Build consensus for validation by all stakeholders of the combined prevention strategy,

• Deliverable 4.3: Develop additional budgetable operational plans and / or specific to each intervention of the combined prevention strategy.

Output 5: Provide technical guidance for the pilot implementation of the PrEP in specific health centers in the city of Djibouti:

Deliverable 5.1: Provide technical expertise in the preparatory phase for the identification of pilot health structures in the city of Djibouti and the provision of the necessary inputs to start PrEP.

Deliverable 5.2. Coach and mentor the conduct of the pilot phase of PreP in health structures in the Djibouti city.

Deliverable 5.3: Produce a report on the implementation of the pilot phase of the PreP in Djibouti with an emphasis on good practices and lessons learned.

Output 6: Provide technical expertise for the implementation of ART resistance surveillance in Djibouti

Deliverable 6.1: Provide technical expertise to develop an ART resistance guide.

Deliverable 6.2: To Build a consensus for the validation of the national ART resistance strategy

Deliverable 6.3: Provide expertise in the preparatory phase for the acquisition of prerequisite inputs (reagents, devices….) for the surveillance of ART resistance in the appropriate structures

Deliverable 6.4: Provide training and supervision of health care workers identified for the implementation of surveillance of primary and secondary ARV resistance in Djibouti.

Deliverable 6.5: Provide technical expertise to ensure the monitoring and evaluation of primary and secondary ART resistance surveillance in hospitals in Djibouti city.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Masters’ degree in medical sciences or equivalent, infectiology, HIV/AIDS response, public health, or other related fields
• Desirable: PHD will be an asset

Experience: Essential: Minimum 10 years of experience in developing national strategic plans to fight HIV / AIDS, and in developing HIV care guides and training health care providers in comprehensive care of PLHIV

• • Desirable: Experience working in academic institutions, United Nations organizations / agencies, international institutions or international NGOs.

Skills/ Technical knowledge

• • Experience in managing components of the health response of HIV programs, including aspects related to prevention, screening, care and biological monitoring, monitoring and evaluation, communication and capacity building and multisectoral response

• Very good knowledge of the health system and the context of HIV response in Djibouti especially with regard to HIV prevention and care

  • Ability to collaborate or manage a diverse group of stakeholders from multi-cultural backgrounds
  • Demonstrated strong communication skill
• • Experience in writing reports and facilitating workshops
• • Scientific and technical knowledge in the field of HIV / AIDS, in particular in the development of strategies, training modules, facilitation of training sessions, supervision, mentoring of health care providers and evaluation of programs.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint),
  • Ability to work in team

Language

• • Excellent knowledge of French (Spoken and written),
• knowledge of Arabic and Somali will be an asset

Location:

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.

The consultant is expected to travel according to the itinerary and estimated schedule below:

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded) Remuneration: international consultant (P level)

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.

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Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: who.int