Consultant: to provide technical input to the regional tuberculosis (TB) programme regarding TB management in prisons and cross-border settings. Band A level

Contract

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

1. Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical input to the regional tuberculosis (TB) programme regarding TB management in prisons and cross-border settings.

2. Background

The Department of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Communicable Diseases (DCD) supports the 22 Member States of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region in the implementation of a UHC approach to the control, elimination, or eradication of communicable diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, STIs, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and vaccine-preventable diseases. It also includes two cross-cutting technical units working on antimicrobial resistance and public health laboratory services.

TB in prisons and cross-border TB are critical public health issues that require immediate attention. To end TB globally, prisoners and people on the move must receive the same level of TB prevention and care services as people in the community. However, there are significant challenges in achieving this goal, such as treatment interruptions, loss of follow-up, language, cultural and physical barriers, insufficient training for health and social services providers, and increased incidence of drug-resistant and sensitive TB in these populations. To address these challenges, the consultant will collaborate with the Regional Tuberculosis Unit (RTB) to support member states in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The aim is to improve the continuity and quality of TB Programme services reaching those vulnerable groups more effectively. The focus will be on gathering, analyzing, and providing technical inputs about cross-border TB and TB in prisons. This will help identify the gaps in TB prevention and care services and develop effective solutions to address them.

3. Planned timeliness

Start date: 1 February 2024

End date: 31 August 2024

4. Work to be performed:

Output 1: Assist the regional TB programme in development of EMR-adapted TB in prisons standard operating procedures (SOPs) according to the global guidance and templates available:

· Deliverable 1.1: Review existing documents on management of TB in prisons

· Deliverable 1.2: compile experiences and best practices in EMR countries for management of TB in prisons.

· Deliverable 1.3: Support the regional TB programme team in the preparation of the technical consultation/Webinar on management of TB prison. and develop the consultation report.

· Deliverable 1.4: Support in drafting the EMR SOPs for management of TB in prison, get them reviewed by national TB programmes (NTPs) and partners, collect and compile feedback.

· Deliverable 1.5: contribute to the finalization of the regional SOPs for management of TB in prisons

Output 2: support the organization of a regional training of trainers (TOT) for management of TB in prison

· Deliverable 2.1: Follow up with WHO Global TB programme on the updated guidelines for the management of TB in prisons

· Deliverable 2.2: Support the regional TB programme in the preparation of a joint EMR virtual TOT for NTPs based on the updated WHO guidelines and develop a training report.

Output 3: Assist the regional TB programme in development of SOPs for tuberculosis in Cross-border settings:

· Deliverable 3.1: Review existing documents on management of TB in cross-border settings,

· Deliverable 3.2: compile experiences and best practices in EMR countries for management of TB in cross border settings.

· Deliverable 3.3: Support in drafting SOPs for TB in Cross-border settings, emphasizing policy, practices, and applications, adapted to the EMR context.

· Deliverable 3.4: contribute to the finalization of the regional SOPs for tuberculosis in Cross-border settings

· Deliverable 3.5: Submit report of the assignment, documenting all the activities carried out.

Qualifications required:

Essential: University degree in medicine, or public health, or related areas directly relevant to the tuberculosis program.

Desirable: Master's degree in public health and/or a health-related field will be an asset

Experience required****:

o Minimum two years of experience in public health

o Experience in using template tools and protocols formulated by WHO and partners for these purposes.

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Knowledge of Public Health.
• Ability to process and analyze data and write reports.

- Language requirements:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Arabic.

5. Place of assignment

EMRO, Cairo, Egypt. On-Site consultant

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.