Technical support for the development of the strategy and costed operational plan for Jordanian Centre for Diseases Control (CDC)

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to the recently established Jordanian Centre for Diseases Control (JCDC). Specifically, it aims to provide high-level strategic support to the development of the vision, mission statement, overall five-year strategy with the strategic priorities based on the mandate devised by the Government of Jordan, organizational structure and costed operational plan for two years.

The results will guide expansion of the capacities of the Jordanian CDC, coordination and collaboration with the main national and international stakeholders and priority areas for 2022-2026.

2. Background

The Jordanian National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Diseases Control (JCDC) was established in November 2020 as a dedicated public health body to promote public health practices in the field of prevention of epidemics and communicable diseases and lead all-hazard public health emergencies’ preparedness and response including bio-terrorist threats.

Main functions:

• Preparing health policies relating to the control of epidemics and communicable diseases and recommending them to the competent authorities.
• Monitoring epidemics and communicable diseases nationally, regionally, and internationally, detecting new or emerging threats, and recommending their prevention.
• Coordinating response efforts to epidemics, pandemics and other health threats and implementing health emergency plans.
• Monitoring and follow-up of environmental health threats and their relationship to epidemics and communicable diseases.
• Providing reference diagnostic services for individuals, society and health institutions.
• Overseeing the development and implementation of antibiotic resistance control strategies and coordinating monitoring initiatives and linking with global initiatives in this regard.
• Follow-up and improve vaccination levels in the Kingdom and expand the base of those covered.
• Leading health efforts aimed at preventing and control of epidemics, communicable diseases, and the disabilities resulting from them in accordance with international standards and recommendations of international health bodies, including the World Health Organization.
• Coordinating and cooperating with similar bodies regionally and internationally.
• Conducting scientific research and providing and analyzing health information.
• Capacity-building of the Center’s cadres, rehabilitating and training them, and training workers in the field of epidemics and communicable diseases control, and rehabilitating them through the provision of professional and academic programs in cooperation and coordination with the relevant bodies locally, regionally, and internationally.
• Managing epidemics and communicable diseases prevention programmes.
• Developing preparedness and response plans for health emergencies.

Dr Raeda Al-Qutob was appointed as the President of the Jordanian CDC in ministerial rank, reporting to the Prime Minister. Board members of JCDC include Ministers of Health, Agriculture, Water and Irrigation, Environment, Director General of the Royal Medical Services, four experts (a virologist, a bio scientist, a lawyer, and an NCD specialist). The mandate will have to be implemented in the coordination and collaboration with the Ministry of Health and National Centre for Security and Crises Management to ensure synergies and concerted efforts.

3. Planned Timelines

40 days consultancy (in-country and remote work)

Start date: 1 February 2022

End date: 31 March 2022

4. Work to Be Performed

Output 1: Detailed situation analysis of current mandates for public health functions in Jordan in collaboration with national and international partners.

Deliverable 1.1: Conduct a Desk review of the institutional capacity in the domain covered by the new Jordan CDC

• Conduct a Detailed analysis of the national legislative and regulatory documents, e.g Public Health Law, available reports (e.g., Joint External Evaluation), assessments and evaluations reports, publications and other relevant documents.
• Map the institutions and entities performing public health functions and their mandates, e.g. reference labs

Deliverable 1.2: Submit a Narrative summary report and strategic analysis of the feedback from stakeholders

• Submit a structured summary of the semi-structured interviews and discussions with the senior management of the Ministry of Health, National Centre for Security and Crisis Management, Ministers of Agriculture, Water, Environment, Director of the Royal Medical Services, WHO, UNICEF, FAO, WFP, USAID, EU delegation, GIZ, WB and other national and international partners, with most common findings and recommendations;
• Develop a Detailed strategic analysis of the needs and gaps expressed by stakeholders regarding JCDC role in addressing the public health functions including emergencies in Jordan.

Deliverable 1.3: Conduct A situation analysis report that would include:

• Narrative report on the findings and main highlights of the desk review
• Analytical report on the findings of the interview with national and international partners
• Outline of the existing public health infrastructure with the mandates, functions and responsibilities
• Overall analysis leading to recommendations as to how the new institution will build harmoniously on the existing institutions and bridge existing gaps

Output 2: The vision, mission statement, strategy and strategic priorities of the National CDC

Deliverable 2.1: Conduct a Consensus building workshop with participation of all stakeholders

• Prepare the workshop agenda and expected output
• Prepare background and working documents
• Identify the list of participants based on the semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders
• Develop of the methodology of the workshop
• Facilitate the workshop and selected working groups towards recommendations resulting from the analysis
• Submit Summary of the outputs of the working groups discussions

Deliverable 2.2: Submit a final report that includes:

• Executive summary
• Country specific context
• Summary situation analysis
• Proposed role of the JCDC in the public health domain in Jordan
• Vision and mission statement
• Detailed strategy with the strategic priorities based on the mandate devised by the Government of Jordan

Deliverable 2.3 One pager on the vision, mission statement and key strategic areas of work for information sharing, advocacy and resource mobilization

Output 3: Develop a Business operations model and costed operational plan for 2022-23

Deliverable 3.1: Develop a Business operations model

• Organogram of the JCDC with following departments

  • • Department of research, policy and training
  • Laboratory department
  • Department of diseases prevention and control
  • Surveillance and epidemiology department
  • Information systems and technology department

• Terms of reference, job descriptions and job qualifications for the JCDC staff

• Performance and appraisal system, key performance indicators

Deliverable 3.2: Develop a Costed operational plan for 2022-23

• Detailed operational plan with activities, timeline, responsible directorate/unit
• Logical framework (inputs, outputs, outcomes, impact)
• Monitoring and evaluation framework
• Estimated budget

5. Specific Requirements

Qualifications required:

Minimum Master’s or PHD degree in public health, healthcare administration or related field, is an asset.

Desirable: University Degree in Medicine and/or Business Administration.

Experience required:

• Over 10 years of experience working in developing strategic plans, organizational structures and human resources and/or managing public health entity.
• Experience working in various CDC systems across the world.
• Experience in institutional management, including financial management.
• Communicable diseases control and emergency response experience is an asset.

Skills

• Robust analytical and writing skills.
• Technical skills and knowledge: High level of expertise in organisational management
• High level communicating skills;

Language Requirements:

Expert knowledge of English language (speaking/writing). Arabic language is an asset.

6. Place of Assignment

Jordan and remote assignment

7. Medical Clearance:

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

8. Travel

Travel for two weeks to Jordan for initial assessment, interviews and consensus building workshop