National Consultant - NCD Guideline development and Rollout of Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions for Primary Health Care (PEN)/Papua New Guinea

BACKGROUND

The Papua New Guinea National Department of Health (NDOH) has placed a high priority on utilizing the World Health Organization's (WHO) Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions for Primary Health Care (PEN) as a comprehensive and economical solution to identifying, managing, and treating NCDs at primary healthcare facilities. To further the adoption and implementation of the PEN guidelines throughout the country, it is recommended that the current manual undergo a comprehensive review. This review will aid in providing training for healthcare workers, addressing emerging challenges, and incorporating valuable lessons learned to ensure that the PEN interventions remain relevant, effective, and impactful, and ultimately improve the health outcomes for individuals affected by NCDs in Papua New Guinea.

PURPOSE

The key purpose of this activity is to support the review of the current PEN guideline and training manual in PNG.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The consultant will collaborate with the national PEN technical working group to assess the existing guideline and harmonize it with the current needs and resources available.

Deliverables

1. Develop a gap analysis report on the current PEN guidelines and the expected new guidelines by the end of September 2023.
2. Based on deliverable 1, develop the new PEN guidelines with performance indicators for tracking the quality of clinical NCD services by the end of November 2023
3. Develop a checklist for evaluating primary health care and wellness centers' readiness to identify and treat major NCDs by mid of November 2023
4. Facilitate PEN training for frontline health workers, supervisors, and members of the NCD committee on the use of the revised guidelines by 10th December 2023
5. Develop a plan to support the assessment and analysis of medication adherence among registered patients with hypertension and diabetes end of January 2024
6. Participate in periodic calls and provide inputs on NCD costed plans and coordinate the integration of TB diabetes services in the 2 PHAs (National Capital District and East New Britain) as and when necessary, within the contract period (September to February 2024)
7. Develop a final report detailing the process undertaken by the 29th of February 2024

Methods to carry out the activity

• Regular meetings with different stakeholders
• Prepare the background and key document and compilation of relevant data
• Work with different stakeholders in organizing field testing and capacity building in the country.
• Produce a high-quality report.
• Perform other related work as required

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in medicine, public health or health sciences

Desirable: Higher degree or post-graduate education is preferable with knowledge of NCD prevention and control and the WHO package of essential NCD services.

Experience required: Minimum five years of combined international exposure in areas of health systems, health reforms, service delivery, and noncommunicable diseases with a focus on PEN implementation.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

· Data collection, compilation, and visualization skills

· Communications and interview skills

· Writing skills

· Ability to complete the task in the given time frame

Language requirements

· Expert level of English is essential (Read-Write-Speak). Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Competencies

· Technical Expertise

· Communication

· Moving Forward in a Changing Environment

· Producing Results

PLACE OF ASSIGNMENT

The consultant is expected to work on-site to interview resource persons, prepare tools/resources and formulate plans and schedules. The six months will be spent in Port Moresby, PNG, and shall include actual training and implementation activities. Round-trip airfare will be covered by WHO but the consultant is responsible for arranging living accommodations.

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

The selected candidate will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

TRAVEL

The consultant may be required to travel to sites for relevant activities (consultations, information gathering, programme reviews, training, etc.).

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on a mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive a subsistence allowance equivalent to one month for every three months of consultancy.

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 an 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 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 is committed to putting 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 apply to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon the conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.
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