Support the review of the Fiji National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

BACKGROUND

Health security, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is one of the thematic priorities in the Western Pacific Region. Therefore, the Fijian Government prioritized and tasked the National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee (NARC) to develop a Fiji National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR in 2015. Following that, the cabinet endorsed the NAP, which has been in effect from 2016 to 2018.

The NARC recognizes the need to review the current NAP since it has lapsed after 2018. The Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS) has endorsed this proposed action. However, since most MOHMS staff are repurposed to support the ongoing COVID-19 response, it is most appropriate to request external technical support to coordinate stakeholder consultations and desk reviews to inform the development of a new NAP in line with the regional and global framework.

The new NAP will ensure that MOHMS continue to strengthen health systems that are prepared to detect and respond to public health emergencies and health security threats – so that everyone is safe during outbreaks and protected from the risks of AMR.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

• • To review the current Fiji NAP on AMR
• • Facilitate a multi-stakeholders meeting
• • Draft the new Fiji NAP on AMR

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output: Technical support provided to review and update the NAP on AMR in Fiji.

• Deliverable 1.1: Completion of desk review, key informants interview, focus group discussions, literature review, etc.
• Deliverable 1.2:  Completion of the multi-stakeholder consultation meeting
• Deliverable 1.3: Submission of the draft Fiji NAP on AMR – 2022-2025

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Working with MOHMS AMR focal point to:

• • Review the current NAP, discuss the progress of implementation, and identify issues with key priority activities to verify with stakeholders;
• • Consolidate all the recent review findings and workshop reports as a baseline or situation analysis for the new NAP;
• • Collate and retrieve relevant findings and recommendations from the EMAR, COMBAT-AMR and other research projects conducted as the AMR references.
• • Conduct key informant interviews and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders recommended by the NARC.
• • Collate and summarize information from the review and key informant interviews into a document.

Working with MOHMS AMR focal point to:

• • Conduct consultation workshops with AMR stakeholders to confirm the new NAP's format & draft framework, content, and objectives;
• • Assist with planning and facilitating the national workshop, AMR presentation and group discussions and verification of key priority areas with stakeholders;
• • Propose and discuss potential funding sources with the meeting stakeholders for the draft NAP activities.

Working with NARC and WHO/DPS to:

• • Identify key activities to be included in the new NAP based on consultation with stakeholders, in line with the regional & global framework;
• • Propose key indicators shared during the consultation to be used for tracking progress related to critical activities identified;
• • Develop a draft NAP on AMR, capturing relevant details and resources. 
• • Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

ACTIVITY COORDINATION & REPORTING

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

• • Responsible Officer:  Mr Asaeli Raikabakaba, Technical Officer – EMT, PHS, WHO/DPS      
• • Manager: Dr Akeem Ali, Team Coordinator – PHS, WHO/DPS

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education

• Essential: Master's degree in pharmacy or medicine or health science
• Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in public health or management from a recognized university

Experience

• Essential: Minimum of seven years of experience in pharmaceutical or health sciences, and experience in developing or reviewing national policies and plans, including engaging in AMR related activities.
• Desirable: Experience in developing strategic plans in low-middle income countries.

Skills

Should demonstrate expertise in developing and reviewing strategic plans and policies. Should also know and understand the country's health system and one health approach. Have the ability to identify challenges and key priority areas for One health in the country with supporting evidence. Good interpersonal skills and capable of facilitating consultation meetings, interviews, and workshops. Good analytical thinking and writing skills.

Languages

High level of written and spoken English

Competencies

• • Teamwork
• • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• • Communication
• • Knowing and managing yourself
• • Producing results

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• • 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.

Contract duration

60 working days (full time)

Place of assignment

Provide in-country support to Fiji based at WHO Fiji office provided there is approval to travel to Fiji.

Payment terms

Payment will be made in the following instalments:

• 20% - completion and submission of 1st report 
• 30% - completion and submission of 2nd report
• 50% - completion and submission of 3rd report     

Travel

The Consultant may travel within Fiji depending on the MOHMS request.

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 15 March 2022. 

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. 168548 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.