IPC Technical Officer

BACKGROUND

On 31 December 2019, WHO was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. The pathogen was subsequently identified as a SARS CoV-2 and the disease as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with cases detected worldwide. On 31 January 2020, WHO declared the event as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and COVID-19 was subsequently characterized as a pandemic by the WHO Director-General. As cases continue to be reported globally, enhanced preparedness and response efforts are to be sustained in the Region. The COVID-19 response operations in the Region are expected to continue for several months

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The consultant is being recruited to provide technical assistance for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) activities to the ongoing COVID-19 response under the Incident Management System (IMT) in Papua New Guinea.

Outbreak Response

The purpose of this emergency deployment is to support effective country response operations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a technical focus on IPC, as part of the IMT of the WHO Country Office in Papua New Guinea.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Under the overall supervision of the WR Country Office and Incident Manager, the consultant will provide technical assistance on IPC for COVID-19 response activities.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The consultant is assigned to:

• • Coordinate with the Clinical Management and IPC Pillar lead and the Incident Manager, and work with other relevant pillars in the COVID-19 IMT to ensure the planning, prioritization, implementation and monitoring of IPC activities throughout the full cycle of incident management

COVID-19 specific activities

• • Provide technical guidance to national counterparts towards development of IPC core components for the response and recovery phases of COVID-19 pandemic with the view to sustainable improvements in IPC as part of broader health system strengthening
• • In compliance with WHO IPC guidelines provide technical assistance/support to the national IPC program on reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in health facilities:
  • • Assess IPC capacities and practices in emergency units, hospitals, and health care facilities
  • • Implement minimum IPC measures, including standard and additional (transmission-based) precautions for SARS-CoV-2
  • • Identify priority areas for improvement and provide technical recommendations to partners and key players on improvement plans and actions, and methods to monitor implementation
  • • Assess training needs, develop training materials, and conduct and/or supervise IPC training for staff at provincial and district hospitals and health facilities as needed according to the review of IPC measures
  • • Support the Case Management cell in reviewing/modifying isolation facilities and patient flows to strengthen IPC practice
• • Work with Operations Support and Logistics Pillar to ensure that necessary IPC materials are available and effectively and efficiently utilized at the health facility level

General IPC strengthening

• • In compliance with WHO IPC guidelines provide technical assistance/support to the national IPC program as part of sustainable health system strengthening:
  • • Based on reviews of IPC measures applied to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission, advise on prevention of healthcare associated infections in healthcare settings
  • • Jointly develop and outline the strategies and good practices for the implementation of a national IPC strategy regarding measures pertaining to enhancement of standard and additional precautions for endemic and emerging infectious diseases, to reduce healthcare associated infections and antimicrobial resistance
  • • Support restoration of good IPC practices for patient safety, and to protect HCWs/others in health care facilities at all times
• • Support the reactivation of the national IPC technical working group and IPC committee at the health facility level
• • Collaborate with partners to ensure the IPC activities are implemented properly, best practices are documented, including as needed development of sharing platforms for best practices through the national IPC networking
• • Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisors.

Deliverables:

• • Regular progress reports at WHO IMT meetings on the work of the IPC cell against deliverables
• • Submission of the list of functional IPC committee members across the country
• • IPC cell inputs into IMT operational planning and budgeting
• • Contribution to donor reports
• • Interim (monthly) progress and travel reports
• • Submission of a report at the end of the consultancy (within one week of contract completion).

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• - Proven knowledge and skills in infection prevention and control, clinical practices, and rapid assessment techniques
• - Strong organizational and communication skills including ability to negotiate with national and international authorities and partners
• - Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels
• - Strong ability to execute and manage national health program.

EDUCATION

Essential:  

• • Advanced University degree (Master’s level or above) in nursing, medicine, microbiology, epidemiology, or public health from a World Higher Education Database (WHED) accredited/recognized institute, with specialty training (certificate or diploma) in IPC.

Desirable:

• • Master’s level degree in public health or health related field.

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• • At least seven years’ related experience in the field of IPC at the national and international levels, in managing programs to improve quality and safety of health services. Some experience with outbreaks and health emergencies in developing countries. Experience working with multiple partners in implementing IPC measures in low resource settings.

Desirable:

• • Experience with evaluation of national IPC programs in developing countries
• • Previous experience in UN organizations/agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations, international institutions, or nongovernmental organizations, particularly in developing countries
• • Experience working in COVID-19 or Ebola IPC will be added value

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Excellent communication skills
• • Excellent analytical, planning, and organizational skills
• • Ability to work in a team with limited supervision
• • Ability to work under pressure
• • Good computer skills in Microsoft office, spreadsheets

LANGUAGES

• • Proficient in written and spoken English

COMPETENCIES

• • Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• • Moving forward in a changing environment
• • Ensuring the effective use of resources
• • Fostering Integration and teamwork
• • Communication in a credible and effective way

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• • The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
• • The Consultant is expected to travel according to the itinerary and estimated schedule below:
  • 1 Jan 2022 - 15 Jun 2022 | WHO Country Office in Papua New Guinea / needed for outbreak response activities

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 7 December 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 156627 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.