Consultancy - Western Pacific Regional Antimicrobial Consumption Surveillance System (WPRACSS)

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an ever- present threat to the security of our future and the achievements of universal health coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is driven by many complex factors, but overuse and misuse of antibiotics are among the leading causes. Measuring and analysing the consumption and use of antibiotics is therefore a critical step that will inform the development of appropriate strategies to improve use of antibiotics. Data on antibiotic consumption have been collected and analysed in many high- and middle-income countries, and global monitoring of antibiotic use in animals is ongoing. However, data are often lacking on antibiotic use in humans at the point of care, and from low-income countries.

The Western Pacific Regional Antimicrobial Consumption Surveillance System (WPRACSS), was set up to conduct AMC and AMU monitoring across the Western Pacific Region to increase multistakeholder accountability, strengthen AMS and improve health outcomes. The system aims to capture and synthesize information on AMC and AMU across sectors and countries/areas and will be undertaken through:

• • Establishment of and capacity-building for AMC and AMU monitoring systems in countries/areas and ensuring that information on AMC and AMU will influence national policies, strengthen AMS and improve clinical management of AMR infections, as well as contribute to the regional database on AMC and AMU.
• • Establishment of a web-based regional database to capture data from countries/areas at three different levels (national, hospital, community). The database will serve as a basis for regional analysis and technical advice to countries/areas.
• • Establishment of community monitoring through online and web-based reporting using a mobile application connected to retail outlets across the Region to enable reporting of antibiotics dispensed in the community.
• • Issuance of an annual technical report on AMC in the Western Pacific Region.

The first-ever regional report was released in December 2021 presenting the results on national antimicrobial consumption in seven countries and areas based on import, manufacturing or sales data as baseline for antibiotic use[1].

 

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

WHO has been supporting Member States to enhance and develop systems to monitor antimicrobial consumption and use as guided by the Framework for Accelerating Action to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance in the Western Pacific Region. Monitoring antimicrobial prescription and consumption behaviour provides insights and tools to inform policy, therapy decisions, to assess the public health consequences of antimicrobial misuse and to evaluate the impact of resistance containment interventions.

The Western Pacific Regional Antimicrobial Consumption Surveillance System (WPRACSS), consisting of web-based reporting at the national and hospital levels and a smartphone application for community pharmacy-based reporting have been developed to aid and compliment the analysis of antimicrobial consumption (AMC) monitoring in countries/areas. In view of these, WHO is looking to recruit a short-term consultant to provide support for implementation and rolling out WPRACSS data in participating Member States.

 

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Under the supervision of Technical Officer, Essential Medicines and Health Technologies the contractual partner will deliver the following outputs:

Outputs: The consultant is expected to deliver the following final products:

Output 1:  Manage WPRACSS Dashboard

Deliverable 1.1 Maintain WPRACSS prototype dashboard running on MS Power BI

Deliverable 1.2 Establish a standard data extraction 

Deliverable 1.3 Develop new data visualizations prototype dashboard for regular internal analysis

Output 2:  WPRACSS web-platform

Deliverable 2.1 Analysis of the functionality of WPRACSS platform

Deliverable 2.2 Immigrate the data visualization developed on prototype dashboard on Power BI

Deliverable 2.3 Solve data management/visualization issues on data visualization

Deliverable 2.4 Update existing user's manuals as required

Output 3:  WPRACSS implementation and collection of data for 2022

Deliverable 3.1  Plan the Data Call 2022 schedule, contents and procedure

Deliverable 3.2  Coordinate with Member States for Data Call 2022, including the organizing of Member States Meetings

Deliverable 3.3  Support and collect data from all Member States submitted data at Data Call 2021

Deliverable 3.4  Support at least 2 Member States which could not submit data at Data Call 2021 to enable submission of data for Data Call 2022

Output 4: Consultancy reports produced

Deliverable 4.1 Monthly consultancy reports

Deliverable 4.2 Meeting reports with Member States

Deliverable 4.3 Final technical reports with all deliverables

 

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Under the technical guidance of the Acting Coordinator, Essential Medicines and Health Technologies and the Responsible Officer, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties:

• 1. Assess the existing WPRACSS web-based platform and improve its functionality and usability; 
• 2. Provide technical support for analysis and visualization of WPRACSS data for antimicrobial consumption monitoring at national- and hospital- level and the smartphone application for community level; 
• 3. Update technical documents which include the architectural design, components, communication, front-end representation and user flows of the WPRACSS when appropriate, 
• 4. Provide support for cleaning, analysing and interpretation of the AMC data submitted by participating countries and coordinate a report on antimicrobial consumption; 
• 5. Coordinate the WPRACSS rolling out in participating countries as a tool to monitor AMC at national and health facility level as well as in the community and facility its smooth implementation as analytical tool to optimize the use of monitored antimicrobials; and 
• 6. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  University degree or certificate training on computer science, life science, pharmacy or related field.

 

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• • At least 5 years of experience in data management
• • Dashboard development and publication on duty using MS Power BI

Desirable:

• • At least 2 years of experience in managing data collection/analysis platform
• • At least 2 years of experience in data coordination with stakeholders in public sector

 

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Demonstrated knowledge of MS power BI
• • Knowledge of SQL
• • Strong knowledge of data management and relational databases
• • Ability to work independently and in close collaboration with UN agencies
• • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• • Attention to detail

 

LANGUAGES

Proficient in English (writing, reading and speaking)

 

COMPETENCIES

• • Communicating in a credible and effective way
• • Producing results
• • Moving forward in a changing environment
• • Fostering integration and teamwork
• • Knowing and managing yourself

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• • The contractor will work in close collaboration with DHS/EMT
• • Duty station is at Manila, Philippines
• • Duration of contract is from 11 months 1 September 2022

 

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 9 August 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. 179038 as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.