IPC/AMR Consultant

Overview

Provide technical assistance for IPC plan interventions and lab capacity

You have:

• Minimum first university degree in lab sciences, microbiology, or related subjects
• Postgraduate degree in Public Health, microbiology or relevant
• 5-6 years of experience in microbiology or clinical laboratories
• At least one year experience in WHO or other UN agencies
• Excellent knowledge of English (four skills) and other UN official languages preferred
• Proficiency in local language (Persian)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish effective relationships
• Excellent presentation and negotiation skills
• Strong knowledge in project planning, design, monitoring and evaluation
• Excellent reporting and documentation skills

Position Title: IPC/AMR Consultant

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to technically assist in improving the national Infection prevention and control (IPC) plan interventions and laboratory capacity for communicable diseases especially for preparedness and response to the pandemics.

2. Background

Like every affected country worldwide, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s health system is being significantly challenged by the COVID-19 outbreak, and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education launched a national campaign to control COVID-19. Among others, it emphasizes early case detection, contact tracing, isolation, treatment, infection control, and community engagement. WHO is working closely with the Islamic Republic of Iran in coordinating and providing critical international support to the country during this outbreak.

In this regard, a national network has been established for laboratory diagnosis of cases with RT-PCR tests which is the gold standard lab test, and for the genomic surveillance of COVID-19 by the NGS method. Pasteur Institute is the leader and coordinator of this network which comprises nearly 300 public and private labs. There is a need for strengthening the national network through the provision of technical assistance in various aspects of training, quality assurance, and lab data management.

To this end, and in line with its mandate and to support MOHME in responding to the pandemic prone diseases, WCO runs a short-term consultancy to assist WCO in Iran in strengthening laboratory workforce expertise, diagnostics for communicable diseases preparedness and response, Infection prevention and control (IPC) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country, and to provide situational reports.

3. Planned timelines

Start date: 15/4/2023

End date: 31/12/2023

(8.5 months)

4. Work to be performed

The consultant will strengthen the national programme capacity to generate and systematically use the strategic information and improve laboratory and hospital response and infection control plans to COVID-19 pandemic and other communicable diseases (CD) with pandemic potential through performing the following tasks:

Output I**: Strengthen laboratory workforce knowledge and expertise for CD diagnostics, products, and standards**

Deliverable 1.1 - Provide evidence-based updates and recommendations for supporting the National Public Health Reference Lab and the staff of the public health labs network.

Deliverable 1.2: Foster collaboration of NHRL with WHO three levels and external partners such as RKI in enhancing lab capacities for CDs.

Deliverable 1.3: Coordinate needs assessment and procurement of lab diagnostics, equipment, and consumables for communicable diseases surveillance, through the WHO country office.

Deliverable 1.4: Submit minutes of meetings and the list of actions.

Output II**: Provide Technical support on strengthening laboratory and diagnostics for communicable diseases preparedness and response in the country**

Deliverable 2.1: Provide recommendations to WHO, NPHRL, and the Centre for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health & Medical Education for better use of lab diagnostics and systems.

Deliverable 2.2: Provide technical advice on the laboratory strengthening activities of the WHO country office, especially on the following subjects: antimicrobial resistance, rapid diagnostics, molecular testing, laboratory information systems, national capacity building, smartphone-medical tests, and biosafety.

Deliverable 2.3: Provide the list of laboratory procurement needs with the specification.

Deliverable 2.4: Submit minutes of meetings and the list of actions for enhancing surveillance.

Output III**: Strengthen Infection prevention and control (IPC) in the public and private sectors**

Deliverable 3.1: Collect Data on hospitals capacity in the development of the 2016 WHO standard of CSSD/CSR for better control of hospital-acquired infection.

Deliverable 3.2: Conduct data analysis and produce a summary of CSSD risk assessment and quality assurance in hospitals.

Deliverable 3.3: Provide a summary report of antibiotic stewardship program progress and challenges in hospitals.

Deliverable 3.4: Submit minutes of meetings and the list of actions for enhancing IPC interventions.

Deliverable for output I, II, and III

Deliverable

Date

%

Countersigned contract

1 Apr 2023

0

1st Technical progress report 1 under output I & II

15 Jul 2022

25%

2nd Technical progress report 2 under output I & II

15 Sep 2022

50%

Final report under all outputs

30 Dec 2023

25%

5. Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

5. Specific requirements

- Qualifications required:

Essential: Minimum first university degree in lab sciences, microbiology, or related subjects

Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Public Health, microbiology or relevant

- Experience required:

Minimum: 5-6 years of experience in microbiology or clinical laboratories

Desirable: At least one year experience in WHO or other UN agencies

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, within and outside the organization.
• Excellent knowledge of technical advisory services in program related areas and the health systems.
• Proven knowledge in project planning, design, monitoring and evaluation and management.
• Excellent presentation and negotiation skills.
• MS Office

- Language requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of English (four skills) and other UN official languages (preferable)
• Proficiency in local language (Persian)

6.Place of assignment

Official workplace will be WHO-country office Iran-Tehran. Working from home modality may be advised by WCO.

7. Medical clearance

The selected Consultant is expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8. Travel

The incumbent may need to travel for work purposes under organizational rules and regulations.

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.
• 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 - https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values
• 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.
• 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int