National Consultant - HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs Program Review and Planning, WP/PHL

Overview

Support the WHO Philippines and Department of Health in HIV, Hepatitis, and STI program development.

You have:

• University degree in public health, epidemiology, or other related fields.
• At least five (5) years of experience in public health and project management.
• Experience with both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis.
• At least five (5) years of experience in HIV, Hepatitis, or STIs program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Excellent organizational, communication, writing and interpersonal skills.
• Expert knowledge of both written and spoken English and Filipino.

Purpose of consultancy

The World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines is looking for an individual to be who will be tasked to support the WHO Philippines Country Office and the Department of Health - Disease Prevention and Control Bureau’s (DPCB) National AIDS and STI Prevention and Control Program (NASPCP) in providing technical support to the HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) response in the Philippines as the short-term consultant (STC) to support the joint program review (JPR) and the development of the National Health Sector Plan (NHSP) for HIV, Hepatitis, and STI, 2026-2030.

Background

The Philippines is currently experiencing the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in Asia and the Pacific, marked by an alarming 550% increase in annual new infections between 2010 and 2023. This surge is particularly pronounced in cities and urban areas, with daily reported cases skyrocketing from four in 2010 to 57 as of March 2025. Sexual contact remains the primary mode of transmission, with 90% of new HIV cases in 2024 occurring among males who have sex with males (MSM). A significant concern is that 2 out of 5 young HIV-positive MSM and Transgender Women (TGW) who are unaware of their status utilize online platforms to find partners. While an estimated 252,800 people are living with HIV (PLHIV) in 2025, only 55% (139,610) have been diagnosed, and a mere 66% (92,712) of those diagnosed are currently on life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART). In response to this escalating crisis, the Philippines has renewed its commitment to ending HIV by 2030 through its AIDS Medium Term Plan 7 (2023–2028) and the TB-HIV Health Sector Subplan.

Beyond HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health concern, especially among key and vulnerable populations such as MSM, female sex workers, and transgender women, with common STIs like syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia still prevalent. Syndromic management often remains the standard approach due to limited diagnostic capacity and the emerging threat of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in gonorrhea. Syphilis among pregnant women also poses a serious concern, contributing to the risk of congenital syphilis, and despite integration efforts, STI services suffer from poor access due to stigma, underreporting, limited surveillance, and weak linkage to care.

In its National Hepatitis Elimination Profile Report released in May 2025, the coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGJE) reported a 4.9% national hepatitis B prevalence rate for the Philippines in 2022. The report also showed a 16.31% national mortality rate per 100,000 people, with 1% or less treatment coverage for treatment-eligible hepatitis B patients.

The recent DOST-FNRI hepatitis B seroprevalence showed a decline of 0.5% (4.4%) from that reported by CGHE. However, despite this decrease, chronic hepatitis B ( CHB) still remains the leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the country. Also, data for elimination indicators are lacking. These highlight the need for a more comprehensive and cohesive action to meet the 2030 elimination goals.

Furthermore, the country is committed to the Triple Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (TEMTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B as part of global and regional health goals, yet it faces significant challenges including underdiagnosis and undertreatment of syphilis in pregnancy, inconsistent uptake of maternal HIV testing and hepatitis B screening across LGUs, and fragmented integration of TEMTCT interventions into maternal, newborn, child health, and nutrition (MNCHN) services, compounded by vertical programming, inadequate referral pathways, and fragmented data systems.

Adhering to WHO Global Health Sector Strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (2022-2030), the Philippines acknowledges the need to strengthen its health systems and service delivery across the entire cascade of prevention, testing, treatment, and care for HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs, including cross-cutting thematic areas, to achieve its national vision. WHO Philippines is actively supporting the country in achieving these national goals and its commitment to HIV and viral hepatitis elimination by 2030, providing direct technical assistance to the Department of Health - Disease Prevention and Control Bureau’s (DPCB) National AIDS and STI Prevention and Control Program (NASPCP). This support includes the conduct of the joint program review (JPR) and the development the National Health Sector Plan (NHSP) for HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs, 2026-2030, with a short-term consultant providing technical support as lead writer, tool developer, and coordinator in multi-stakeholder engagements for this crucial process.

Deliverables

This work will involve the following under the direct supervision and guidance of the Team Leader, WHO Country Office Philippines, to support the HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs response in the Philippines. The activities to be undertaken include, but are not limited to, the following:

Output 1: Lead Writer for the JPR and NHSP for HIV, Hepatitis, STIs, 2026-2030

Deliverable 1.1: Drafting and Writing: Serve as the lead writer for the JPR and NHSP for HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs 2026-2030. This includes synthesizing various information, data, and resource person inputs into a coherent and well-structured document.

Deliverable 1.2: Content Development: Develop compelling and evidence-based content for both documents, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and conciseness.

Deliverable 1.3: Narrative Flow: Establish a logical and impactful narrative flow throughout the documents, ensuring continuity and alignment of themes.

Deliverable 1.4: Integration of Feedback: Incorporate feedback from various stakeholders, technical working groups, and review committees into successive drafts of the reports.

Deliverable 1.5: Finalization: Produce final, publishable versions of the NHSP 2026-2030, adhering to specified formatting and quality standards.

Output 2: Develop and refine JPR and NHSP Tools

Deliverable 2.1: Tool Design: Design and develop the necessary tools for data collection and assessment for the JPR and NHSP, including but not limited to questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussion guides.

Deliverable 2.2: Refinement and Pre-testing: Refine existing tools or new tools based on feedback from stakeholders and expert review to ensure their effectiveness and relevance.

Deliverable 2.3: Methodological Soundness: Ensure that all tools are methodologically sound and capable of eliciting the required information for a robust review and strategic planning process.

Deliverable 2.4: Standardization: Develop standardized protocols for the use of these tools to ensure consistency in data collection across various sites and stakeholders.

Deliverable 2.5: Help in the Coordination related to the JPR and NHSP

Deliverable 2.6: Event Planning Support: Assist in the planning and logistical arrangements for workshops, consultations, review meetings, and validation forums related to the JPR and NHSP development.

Deliverable 2.7: Facilitation Support: Provide support in facilitating key meetings, workshops, and discussions, ensuring productive engagement and achievement of desired outcomes. This may include preparing presentations, summarizing discussions, and documenting key decisions.

Deliverable 2.8: Stakeholder Engagement: Support the coordination with various stakeholders to ensure their active participation and input in the JPR and NHSP processes.

Deliverable 2.9: Documentation: Contribute to the comprehensive documentation of all meetings, workshops, and events, including minutes, attendance lists, and action points.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree in public health, epidemiology, or other related fields.

Desirable: Postgraduate degree in public health, epidemiology, or other related fields.

Experience

Essential: At least five (5) years of experience in public health and project management. Experience with both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis.

Desirable: At least five (5) years of experience in HIV, Hepatitis, or STIs program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation with or for government health agencies in a multistakeholder environment in the Philippines. Relevant work experience with the WHO or other UN agencies.

Skills/Knowledge:

Excellent organizational, communication, writing and interpersonal skills.

Knowledge in public health and epidemiology

Knowledge of project planning and implementation.

Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Languages and level required

Essential: Expert knowledge of both written and spoken English and Filipino

Location

On site: Manila, Philippines

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: Php 90,000.00 (monthly)

Duration: 4 months, August to December 2025

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 WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.

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• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

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Potential interview questions

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