International consultant - Clinical Governance and Case Management

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The international consultant is being recruited to provide technical assistance to strengthening public health emergencies Clinical Governance and case Management capacities during the post COVID-19 pandemic emergency response in Papua New Guinea. The consultant will also assess the national and subnational levels performance during the response to COVID-19 to identify the current status of capabilities for emergency case management and clinical governance and recommend actions to improve and optimize the effectiveness of clinical responses to eventual public health emergencies with potential to become public health events of international concern (PHEIC), as defined by the national public health emergencies response plan within the framework of International Health Regulations or (IHR 2005).

2. Background

The mission of the WHO Health Emergency Program (WHE) is to support Member States (MS) to build their capacity to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and to coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and provide effective relief and recovery to the affected populations. WHE brings together and enhances WHO’s operational, technical, and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies, and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable, and accountable manner.

WHE is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.

3. Planned timelines:

Start date: 15 July 2023

End date: 31 December 2023

4. Summary of assigned duties:

The purpose of this post-emergency deployment is to support strengthening the country emergency response operations capabilities related to public health emergencies of national and international concern, with a technical focus on clinical case management and clinical governance, as part of the Incident Management System (IMS) in Papua New Guinea.

Overall responsibilities:

Output 1: To conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the current country clinical governance and case management capacities to support preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

Deliverable 1.1 To support the WHO Health Emergencies Programme and the National Department of Health in health facility readiness using a Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI) framework in alignment with the Medical Standards Division of NDoH.

Deliverable 1.2 To draft a National Health Quality Framework in conjunction with Medical Standards Division and Public Health Division.

Deliverable 1.3 To work with international EMT consultants and the National Department of Health to organize and support the establishment of a full functional National type 1 EMT.

Deliverable 1.4 Completion of the National IPC guideline and implementation plan for 2023 - 2024.

Deliverable 1.5 To discuss with NDOH and the regional IPC team the plan to gradually expand the IPC programme nationwide starting from a few selected provinces.

Deliverable 1.6 Draft framework for Health Qual at the Health Care Facility Level is put up to the Senior Management Team of NDoH.

Deliverable 1.7 National Implementation plan for EMT developed with budgets for 2023 -2024.

Ouput 2: Assist the development of the country capacity to plan and implement critical capacities to detect, respond and contain major public health threats as stated by the IHR.

Deliverable 2.1 To support the implementation of the National Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Policy at the provincial level by making operational plans which are accepted for implementation by at least 2 Provincial Health Authorities by December 2023.

Deliverable 2.2 To provide support to the clinical mentoring programme on oxygen management by developing training modules and updating the e modules among provincial clinicians to strengthen health facility readiness for future outbreaks. This will include undertaking mission to the provinces as required to work with clinical teams on issues pertaining clinical governance, IPC and case management.

Deliverable 2.3 To support the NDoH on the establishment a National Emergency Medical Team and to include the EMT in the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) for 2023-2024.

Deliverable 2.4 To provide technical assistance on clinical management and infection prevention and control (IPC) for all epidemic prone-diseases response activities.

Deliverable 2.5 To organize jointly with the EMT team at least one provincial mission a month for clinical mentoring activities on oxygen after the tracer indicators for clinical practice are finalized.

Deliverable 2.6 Collaborate with the RO EMT team to organize the National EMT team member trainings.

**5. Specific Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS**

Essential: Medical degree

Desirable: Advanced degree or training in public health, epidemiology, infectious disease, or molecular biology. Knowledge on the principles of Health Security and emergencies/outbreaks, preparedness, and response.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least seven (7) years of practical and operational experience working in global health in developing world. Knowledge of clinical governance and case management of communicable disease with particular focus on epidemic-prone diseases.

Desirable: Experience in planning and conducting training activities.

- Familiarity with APSED III and IHR 2005

- Experience in developing country's setting, in the area of clinical governance and response to emerging and/or re-emerging infectious diseases.

- Previous relevant international experience of working for WHO in developing country context. Previous work experience in Asia is an asset.

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

· Excellent knowledge of epidemic-prone disease case management and clinical governance and its application in the context of public health emergencies and outbreak response

· Knowledge of health operations, IPC, and clinical expertise in the context of emergencies and outbreak response

· Knowledge of One Health approach to infectious disease and its concepts

· Ability to assess clinical governance capacity and find solutions to fill the gaps

· Ability to establish collaborations and mobilize partnerships to strengthen and expand networks within the context of emergency preparedness, readiness, and response

· Planning, management, and analytical skills, with the ability to foster consensus and team spirit

· Ability to work flexibly, autonomous, and efficiently, in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to adapt to shifting priorities

· Demonstrated ability to use and make sense of complex data and/or information to effectively solve problems and contribute to public health decision-making

· Strong writing skills including for presentations, proposals, concept notes, reports, and other documents

· Excellent communication, interpersonal and diplomatic skills

· Experience synthesizing information and communicating effectively in a timely manner to broad and diverse audiences and strong commitment to global health security

· Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse

Other Skills: Proficient in standard MS Office software applications particularly the use of database, spreadsheet, and statistical programs. Excellent presentation skills.

Language: Expert level in written and spoken English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN language is an advantage****.

6. Competencies:

· Teamwork

· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

· Communication

· Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

· Ensure effective use of resources cultural and educational background and maintain a high standard of personal conduct

7. Place of assignment: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

8. Medical Clearance: Required

9. Travel – STC is not 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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• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.
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