Consultant (Public Health Act)

Contract

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

Consultant for a comprehensive review and updating of the Public Health Act (1925)

Contractual Arrangement: External Consultant

Contractual duration: 60 days ( starting in January 2023 and with possibility of extension )

Schedule: Full time

Primary Location: Port Louis, Mauritius

Organization: AF_MUS Mauritius

Objective of the programme:

The responsibility for ensuring a safe a safe environment and prevention of resurgence of communicable or infectious disease in the Republic of Mauritius rests upon the Public Health and Food Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW). The Public Health Act is the main legislation which is being used by above mentioned cadre to achieve the objective set by the MOHW.

The Public Health Act promulgated in 1925 has been subject to review on several occasions and at present is outdated. Several provisions related to sanitary actions no longer fit the present and future purpose and objectives of the Ministry. Moreover, this situation is causing undue problems and hardship in the day-to-day work of the Public Health and Food Safety Cadre.

Rationale to review and amend the Public Health Act (1925) are as follows:

• The present legislation no longer meets the goals and objectives set by the MOHW.

• Mauritius being a welfare state, health facilities are provided free in public health institutions.

• Resurgence of vector borne diseases with rapid urbanization and modernization.

• New emerging infectious or communicable diseases.

• With modernization, the Public Health Law should be harmonized ·with, newly implemented

environmental laws and international norms and legislations.

• New legislations such as Food Act /Regulations already available for ensuring food safety and quality.

• Time of inspections, restriction on place of residence for service of notices, fines under the Public

Health Act of 1925 is so insignificant at date to produce deterrent effects which need to be revised.

Organization context

The WHO Country Office supports MOHW (Mauritius) to shape health policy in line with WHO’s principles and values and advocates for an integrated approach to health development.

Description of duties

The overall objective of this assignment is to facilitate the review and update of the Public Health Act.

Specific objectives:

• Facilitate and support the review and update the Public Health Act, which will guide the implementation of Public Health and Food Safety services in Mauritius.

• Provide guidelines to support the development and strengthening of Public Health and Food Safety programming, integration, and decentralization into other government programs and those of other actors at local levels.

• Support the implementation of IHR 2005 into the Public Health Act.

• Consult with key stakeholders/managers within the key Government Ministries to promote their participation in the review and update of the Public Health Act.

Summary of Assigned duties / Scope of work and tasks

Phase 1

3.1 Set up a technical committee at level of the MOHW to undertake an assessment of the existing Public

Health Act and identify all sections that need to be amended or repealed.

3.2 Develop consultancy implementation plan, clearly outlining methodologies; and hold consultative

meeting with the technical working group to discuss the assignment, approach, and key deliverable.

3.3. Conduct literature search on international public health acts reviews and any other national resource documents with a view to aligning the Public Health Act with best practice and approaches.

3.4. Assess existing sector policies, laws, programmes and institutional/administrative framework and identify gaps, overlap for consideration to be incorporated into the new Act.

3.5 Conduct interviews with key stakeholders/informants involved in Public Health and Food Safety for purposes of considering their views of the legislation.

Phase 2

3.6 Conduct a validation workshop with relevant stakeholders (Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Local Government, Municipalities /District Councils and other stakeholders.

3.7 Draft a new Public Health Act in collaboration with experts selected by MOHW.

Final deliverable :

• Report including recommendations following review of the proposed draft Public Health Act.

• Report on any cost implications.

• Workshop to present the Consultant’s proposed recommendations to all relevant stakeholders.

Required qualification

Essential: Post graduate degree qualification in Public Health or Legal

Experience:

Essential: At least five years of combined national and international experience in public health regulations

Desirable: Experience working with WHO or UN agencies

Functional Knowledge and skills

• Well conversant in legal matters in relation to Public Health Laws.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrated ability of making effective presentations to

diverse audiences.

• Experience working with and providing support to a national counterpart(s) especially in follow-up of development and implementation of government policies.
• Demonstrated experience of working effectively with a team in developing/review and update of Public Health Act and developing National policies especially in the area of communicable diseases management
• Good analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to support policy level dialogue, advocacy, communication with partners
• Proven track-record in organizing capacity building and policy dialogue events in the health sector

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

Remuneration:

Remuneration will be aligned with the classified requirements of the Terms of Reference, related academic and professional experience applied for the grade in accordance with WHO consultant pay band ranges.