International Consultant for Development of National Protocols and Practical Guidelines for patients with Viral Hepatitis in GuineaBissau

1. Purpose of the Consultancy The purpose of this Consultancy is to outline the need for technical assistance in the development of national protocols and practical guidelines for comprehensive clinical management of individuals infected with viral hepatitis in Guinea-Bissau. The Ministry of Health seeks international technical assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the gaps in the existing strategic plan for combating viral hepatitis and to ensure the effective operationalization of clinical management for infected patients. The post highlights the importance of these documents in mobilizing resources and providing a comprehensive response to the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, which are significant public health concerns in the country. The terms of reference presented in the post establish the framework for the consultancy and outline the expected outcomes of the technical assistance.

2. Technical Objective of the Consultant: The objective of the consultancy is to develop national protocols and practical guidelines for comprehensive clinical management of individuals infected with viral hepatitis in Guinea-Bissau. The aim is to enable the provision of high-quality care to patients affected by these diseases. The consultant will work towards creating standardized protocols and guidelines that cover all aspects of clinical management, including diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and supportive care. These documents will serve as essential resources for healthcare professionals, ensuring consistent and effective care delivery, and ultimately improving the health outcomes of individuals living with viral hepatitis in Guinea-Bissau.

3. Description of Duties: The international consultant will work closely with the restricted committee of the technical group for comprehensive clinical management of HIV and viral hepatitis cases, which will provide context regarding the national healthcare landscape, sociocultural aspects, legal, economic, and religious considerations of the country. Accordingly, the tasks envisioned within the scope of this consultancy are as follows: • Conduct a literature review on viral hepatitis in Guinea-Bissau. • Conduct a literature review of all national protocols and practical guidelines for comprehensive clinical management of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and maternal, neonatal, and child health in the country. • Develop national protocols for comprehensive clinical management of individuals infected with viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) in Guinea-Bissau. • Develop practical guidelines (standard operating procedures - SOPs) for comprehensive clinical management of individuals infected with viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) in Guinea-Bissau. • Facilitate a validation workshop for the developed documents (protocols and practical guidelines for comprehensive clinical management of viral hepatitis cases) with the restricted committee. • Submit a final consultancy report within a maximum period of two weeks after the completion of the mission in the country.

The consultant will be responsible for conducting thorough literature reviews, synthesizing information, and utilizing their expertise to develop national protocols and practical guidelines that align with the specific needs and context of Guinea-Bissau. The consultant will also play a crucial role in facilitating the validation process and ensuring the quality and relevance of the developed documents. The final deliverable will be a comprehensive report summarizing the consultant's findings, recommendations, and the developed protocols and practical guidelines.

4. Expected Results The documents of national protocols for comprehensive clinical management of individuals infected with viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) in Guinea-Bissau available and validated at the end of the consultancy. A. The practical guidelines (standard operating procedures - SOPs) for comprehensive clinical management of individuals infected with viral hepatitis available and validated at the end of the consultancy. B. The final consultancy report submitted to PNLS/HV within two weeks after the completion of the mission in the country.

5. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 5.1. Education: Essential: University degree in medical sciences with specialization/master's/doctorate in infectious diseases. Desirable: Master's degree in service delivery.

Note: If your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide scanned copies of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) relevant to this position in advance. The World Health Organization (WHO) only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), which is updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

6. EXPERIENCE Essential: • Minimum of 7 years of proven professional experience in the field of infectious diseases. • Proficiency in comprehensive clinical management of patients with viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV). • Experience in international consultancies related to the same or similar thematic areas. • Ability to work under pressure and in a team. • Skill in transferring competencies to national technicians (restricted committee). • Proficiency in Portuguese language (communication and writing) and strong writing skills.

Desirable: • Experience in developing national protocols and practical guidelines for the management of viral hepatitis. • Knowledge of healthcare systems and policies in Guinea-Bissau or similar contexts. • Familiarity with international standards and guidelines for the clinical management of viral hepatitis. • Experience in capacity building and training activities related to infectious diseases and viral hepatitis.

7. Expertise: • In-depth Knowledge of Viral Hepatitis in Guinea-Bissau: A comprehensive understanding of the specific epidemiological situation, prevalence, and characteristics of viral hepatitis (such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) in Guinea-Bissau. This includes knowledge of the local risk factors, transmission patterns, and population demographics related to viral hepatitis. • National Healthcare Context: Familiarity with the healthcare system in Guinea-Bissau, including an understanding of the infrastructure, resources, and existing healthcare policies and programs related to viral hepatitis. Awareness of the specific challenges and opportunities in implementing a hepatitis protocol within the local healthcare context. • Protocol Development: Experience in developing national protocols and guidelines for the management of viral hepatitis, tailored specifically to the needs and resources available in Guinea-Bissau. This includes incorporating local healthcare practices, cultural considerations, and available diagnostic and treatment options. • Collaboration with Stakeholders: Ability to collaborate effectively with relevant stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health, local healthcare professionals, public health authorities, and community organizations. This involves engaging stakeholders in the protocol development process, incorporating their perspectives, and fostering ownership and buy-in. • Research and Evidence-based Approach: Proficiency in conducting literature reviews, analyzing scientific research, and applying evidence-based practices in the development of the hepatitis protocol. Staying updated with the latest research, guidelines, and recommendations from international health organizations and adapting them to the local context. • Capacity Building and Training: Experience in providing training and capacity-building activities to healthcare professionals and stakeholders in Guinea-Bissau. This includes transferring knowledge, building skills, and promoting the effective implementation of the developed hepatitis protocol. • Cultural Sensitivity: Sensitivity to the cultural, social, and economic factors that may impact the management of viral hepatitis in Guinea-Bissau. This includes incorporating culturally appropriate approaches, addressing health disparities, and considering the specific needs of vulnerable populations. • Monitoring and Evaluation: Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact and effectiveness of the hepatitis protocol implementation. This includes developing indicators, data collection tools, and mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the protocol's outcomes. • Knowledge of International Guidelines: Familiarity with international guidelines and recommendations from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and regional health bodies regarding the management of viral hepatitis. Ensuring alignment with global best practices while considering the local context of Guinea-Bissau.

Note: These expertise areas are intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the skills and knowledge required for developing a hepatitis protocol specifically for Guinea-Bissau.

8. SKILLS: a. Competencies: • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. • Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings. • Communication: Write effectively/Share knowledge - Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical, and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies, and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization. • Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results - Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.

9. LANGUAGES • Fluency in Portuguese and proficiency in French or English will be considered.

a. IT Skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software: • Spreadsheets, and presentations. • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP); • Management information systems. Knowledge of software programs such: • Microsoft Excel. • Outlook. • OneDrive. • PowerPoint. • Teams. • SharePoint. • Word.

The consultant will be subject to WHO administrative procedures for the recruitment and use of consultants in terms of fees for this category. Only candidates whose applications are selected will be contacted. The contract will only be awarded after the United Nations Medical Department has given its approval.