International Consultant – Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor and Surveillance

Purpose of consultancy

Under the overall guidance of WHO Representative (WR) and direct supervision of the Health Policy Advisor (HPA), the consultant will support Ministry of Health and other implementing national partners to address NCD Risk Factors and work on strengthening the surveillance activities. The consultant will oversee implementation of STEPS Survey and advice on the individual and population-based actions for control of key behavioral risk factors, review and updating/development of priority strategies/action plans and strengthening of NCDs prevention and management through primary health care approaches and ensuring NCD database for evidence-based decision making.

Background

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are among the leading causes of deaths in Timor-Leste. There are high levels of population exposure to common modifiable risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, and consumption of unhealthy diets, in both adult and adolescent populations.

Considering the country’s young demographic structure (with about 75% of the total population below 35 years old), majority of population exposed to NCDs risk factors and those living with NCDs are expected to be in the young productive age groups. Therefore, NCDs pose a significant public health and development challenges for Timor-Leste. There is, however, a growing recognition of these threats posed by NCDs, and the Ministry of Health and other national agencies are intensifying prevention and control efforts, including strengthening and updating of national evidence base to facilitate evidence-based decisions.

The consultant will oversee implementation of STEPS Survey and advice on the individual and population-based actions for control of key behavioral risk factors, review and updating/development of priority strategies/action plans and strengthening of NCDs prevention and management through primary health care approaches and ensuring NCD database for evidence-based decision making.

Deliverables

Output 1: Provide technical support for prevention and control of NCDs risk factors

Deliverable 1.1: Identify gaps and provide strategic recommendations to the Ministry of Health and other national counterparts on prevention and control of priority lifestyle and metabolic risk factors for NCDs

Deliverable 1.2: Support implementation of assigned collaborative workplan activities

Deliverable 1.3: Analyze and prepare a detailed report on the Tobacco Cessation Centre and disseminate findings and recommendations with national counterparts

Deliverable 1.4: Facilitate development of national physical activity guidelines/standards for all ages

Output 2: Strengthen control and management of NCD through primary health care approach

Deliverable 2.1: Develop and implement monitoring of six-monthly hypertension and diabetes treatment control rates in 2-3 municipalities as per the national PEN guideline

Deliverable 2.2: Facilitate strengthening of focused approach to control and management of diabetes as part of PEN programs in 2-3 municipalities with plans for national scale up

Deliverable 2.3: Advocate for and facilitate strengthening of PEN/HEARTS (for CVDs) programs as effective means for NCDs control through primary healthcare and community approaches.

Output 3: Update national database on NCDs risk factors

Deliverable 3.1: Oversee implementation of Timor-Leste’s NCDs STEPS Survey

Deliverable 3.2: Support implementation of Timor-Leste’s GYTS

Output 4: Provide technical assistance for reviewing and preparing/updating priority national strategies and action plans for NCDs

Deliverable 4.1: Review and update national multi-sectoral action plan for NCDs

Deliverable 4.2: Facilitate review/updating of mental health strategy and/or development of national mental health policy

Deliverable 4.4: Undertake any other task as assigned by supervisors

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: University degree in public health/medicine/allied health sciences

Desirable: Advanced university degree in public health

Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years of experience in planning, development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of national public health programs/plans/strategies, including individual and population-based approaches for prevention and control of NCDs and risk factors; health promotion and capacity building activities;
• Experience of conducting household and school-based surveys for NCDs risk factors;
• Experience in designing/adapting, organizing, and implementing programs such as PEN/HEARTS packages and tobacco cessations programs through primary health care and health system approaches.

Desirable:

Relevant work experience in low and middle-income countries.

Relevant experience of working with WHO/UN Organizations is advantageous.

Skills / knowledge

Essential:

• Expertise in planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public health programmes/policies/strategies, including prevention and control of NCDs and their risk factors (e.g., using best-buys policies and PEN).
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of global, regional and national NCDs related programmes/strategies/action plans/guidelines.
• Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated abilities to adapt, design, implement and monitor prevention and control of NCDs through primary healthcare and health system approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to develop locally adapted tools and resource materials on a wide range of public health issues including NCDs and their risk factors, mental health, and ability to implement capacity development programmes.
• Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions.
• Strong oral presentation and writing and analytical skills.
• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team and skills for promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Language required:

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.

Desirable: Knowledge of Tetum and/or Portuguese.

Location:

The consultant will be based in WHO country office, Dili-Timor-Leste, with travel to municipalities as and when needed.

Travel

If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required. The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Local travel within the country, where needed, will be arranged by WCO Timor-Leste

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)

Remuneration: Band level A- USD 3,955 – 6,980 per month, depending on the consultant’s experience and educational qualification

Living expenses: Per diem will be paid as per WHO rules applicable to international consultant for travel.

Expected duration of contract: 11 months. Additional contracts (total maximum of 22 months) can be offered based on funding availability and satisfactory performance.

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) in English 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• 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.