International Consultant to support review and pediatric TB, Pyongyang, DPRK (home based)

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a Champion

UNICEF as the Principal Recipient for the TB and Malaria Grant in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), contributes towards the implementation of the National TB Control Program towards zero TB in the DPRK. DPRK is committed to TB control efforts and defines its goals and objectives taking into account the Global END TB Strategy in order to contribute to global effort to fight TB epidemic.

The current National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB strategy 2018-2021, has been extended to end of 2022. This National Strategy defines the direction of National TB Control activities to achieve successful TB prevention, care and control in the country. The strategies outlined in the NSP are guided by the Global END TB Strategy Framework, which was approved and adopted by the 67th World in May 2014. The 2021 Global TB Report states that there are more than 500 cases per 100 000 population (TB incidence) in DPRK. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in DPRK is currently preparing the National Strategic Plan (NSP) forTB 2023-2025, which is an opportunity to ensure that pediatric TB is well incorporated into the new NSP. MoPH has requested the support of an international consultant to provide detail review, clear recommendations and insights that support finalization and costing of the TB strategy.

As a result of the COVID related anti-epidemic measures, there have been extensive border closures for supplies, international staff as well as technical support, with limited UNICEF procured TB diagnostics and treatments reaching DPRK . TB patients including the children have continued to be detected using Governmet procured diagnostics and enrolled on individulised treatment regimes. Under the direct supervision of the Health Manager (TB and malaria) and the guidance of the Chief of Health the consultant is expected to collaborate with WHO and make recommendations in accordance with WHO guidance, while providing clear, insightful inputs through UNICEF to the Ministry of Public Health.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Chief of Health and close collaboration with MoPH and UNICEF and WHO the consultants for TB is expected to perform the following tasks:

1. Review the existing National TB strategic and background information including 2020 and 2021 TB programme reports (quarterly reports and half-year reports), DPRK Child Data Management Unit reports, regional Green Light Commitee (rGLC) mission report (August 2020) and WHO Global TB report 2022 as it refers to DPR Korea, including WHO TB database, other UNICEF specific reports especillay focusing on pediatric TB.
2. Review and compare progress towards achieving the goal and objectives of the Pediatric TB component as per National Strategic Plan for TB Control Programme since 2018, which will include programme impact on TB incidence and programme outcomes and coverage.
3. Work in close coordination with the consultant hired to conduct the epidemiological analysis and provide clear, concise technical guidance on future trend in line with implementation of next strategy (2023-2025)
4. Review current strategies and progress made in Pediatric Case detection, Linkage to Care, TB Preventive Therapy, Integrated Service Delivery and make recommendations regarding the strategic direction of the Pediatric TB programme over the next 3 years (2023-2025), based on current WHO guidance
5. Ensure that the recent updates in guidance for management of Child TB is incorporated into the next strategy (2023-2025)
6. Define the key interventions and roadmap for increasing child TB detection, specifically in 0-4 age group
7. Work in close coordination with the lead NSP TB consultant and provide clear, concise technical guidance for Pediatirc TB on future trend in line with implementation of next strategy (2023-2025)
8. Review the current strategies and make recommendations for key Health System Strengthening pillars in line with TB Control program goals to enable the national program build Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health
9. Review the draft TB strategy 2023-2025 document prepared by the National TB Programme, provide detailed feedback identifying key strengths and making recommendations for areas for enhancement
10. Prepare finalized version of the Pediatric TB component, based on written feedback from MoPH, UNICEF, WHO and other key stakeholders.
11. Prepare final presentation to key stakeholders on Pediatirc TB component.

Deliverables:

• Inception report 3 pages outlining an understanding of the required tasks, the background and TB disease profile in DPRK, expected delivery outputs, suggested methodology and approach, workplan and timeline to produce the intended assignments.

  Tentative working days: 3 working days; Tentative portion of payment: 10%; Expected dates of delivery: 30 September 2022

• Detailed comments, suggestions, and recommendations provided on the draft National TB strategy as prepared by the National TB Programme, including the drafting key paragraphs.

  Tentative working days: 10 working days; Tentative portion of payment: 50%; Expected dates of delivery: 20 October 2022

• Feedback from key stakeholders including MoPH, UNICEF, and WHO incorporated into final DPRK TB Strategy in close collaboration with the lead consultant & presented to MoPH.

  Presentation of key elements of Pediatric TB Strategy

  Tentative working days: 3 working days; Tentative portion of payment: 40%; Expected dates of delivery: 30 October 2022

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum Qualifications required:

• Advance University degree (Masters) in public health, social science or equivalent.
• Trainings on TB epidemiology , programmatic management of TB/ Pediatic TB/ M/X-DR-TB).

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Minimum 10 years’ relevant work experience program design, implementation, or management of TB especially Pediatric TB.
• Highly recommended with experience with reviews missions and working or coordinating with WHO
• Proven analytical skills and ability to conduct independent research;
• Knowledge and understanding of the national, regional and global policies and responses to TB (including TB and other co-morbidities);
• Excellent English writing skills and proven experience in report writing
• Experience in a multicultural environment.
• Highly recommended with experience in working for reviewing DPRK TB control program and developing TB strategy.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.