Consultancy - Implementation of Leptospirosis Microagglutination testing at Fiji Centre for Disease Control

BACKGROUND

In Fiji, clinical and epidemiological studies have identified males, iTaukei, and young adults aged 20-49 years as high-risk groups for leptospirosis infection most likely related to greater occupational and recreational exposure to animals, soil, mud and water. Other risk factors include living in rural areas or villages; poverty, including the lack of government water supply at home; farming, working outdoors or in abattoirs; touching rats or mongoose; raising pigs at home or the presence of pigs in the community; exposure to flood waters; and living close to rivers or in areas of high rainfall.

WHO’s special initiative on climate change and health in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) launched during the COP23 meeting chaired by Fiji calls for the acceleration of actions towards mitigating the impact of climate change and building climate resilient health systems.

The WHO DPS, PHS and PCE teams have committed to advancing this progress and have proven their strong adherence with achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), health related SDGs as climate resilience requiring multidisciplinary approaches not only in the health sector but also communities and society.

With a primary focus on climate resilience, the DPS is to support Fiji MoHMS in strengthening its leadership and coordination in climate change and health, enhancing laboratory capacity and surveillance network, and increasing community engagement for climate resilience.

The general objective of the project is to ensure that Leptospirosis testing by the MAT is established at the Fiji CDC and staffs are well trained to conduct the MAT. The specific objectives are:

1. To prepare the work plan on the various phases of the project including the budget component for each activity
2. To develop detailed plan on the setup of the Leptospirosis MAT laboratory
3. To prepare a Lepto MAT training package and implement the training and capacity building to upskill laboratory scientific officers within the given time frame
4. To train staffs on all methods and standard operating procedures
5. To review and amend the existing standard operating procedure/policies currently used for Leptospirosis PCR testing reporting to align with Leptospirosis MAT procedure
6. Submit reports and updates to the Laboratory manager.

The work required in this Terms of Reference is critical in the process of the Ministry’s approach towards responding to climate sensitive diseases. The work requires knowledge of the Ministry of Health’s structure, policies and plans regarding health emergency and climate change, and understanding of the climate change associated disease outbreaks occurring in Fiji.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

In collaboration with the Pacific Health Systems and Policy (PHS) and the Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE) team, the WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) office and the government of Fiji, primarily the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MoHMS), the consultant will develop an implementation and training plan for Leptospira Microagglutination Testing (MAT) at the Fiji Centre for Disease Control (Fiji CDC).

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1: The workplan including workflow, testing and reporting of all procedures involving Lepto MAT testing.

Deliverable 1.1: Assessment of the equipment’s reagents and consumables needed for the implementation

Deliverable 1.2: Review of all procedures in place for Leptospirosis real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing

Deliverable 1.3: The list of all serovars which could be detected after the establishment of MAT testing

Output 2: Training Laboratory staff

Deliverable 2.1: Lectures and training tools developed

Deliverable 2.2: Hands-on training to laboratory staff

Deliverable 2.3: Train laboratory staff on quality assurance, biosafety, and biosecurity relevant to the pathogen and the disease concerned

Output 3: Networking with other Reference laboratories

Deliverable 3.1: Network with other Reference laboratories designated for the same pathogen or disease and regular inter-laboratory proficiency testing to ensure comparability of results

Output 4: Submitted finalized consultancy report

Deliverable 4.1: Finalized plan for sustainability of Lepto MAT testing.

Deliverable 4.2: Final report on recommendations and lessons learned (including phase 2 for capacity building)

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Under the supervision of the Head of Health Protection Unit, Suva, Fiji, and the Laboratory Officer, WHO the consultant will carry out the following activities:

1. The consultant will prepare and submit a workplan that includes training and implementation plan including the budget component to carry out all objectives
2. The consultant will train relevant Fiji CDC laboratory staff on proper techniques for the Leptospirosis MAT procedures
3. The consultant will revise and update the existing standard operating procedures to align with the current ISO 15189 standards.
4. The consultant will prepare a report on recommendations and lessons learned which will be submitted to the Laboratory Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  Advanced degree in Laboratory Science, public health, or health sciences.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least five years of experience in setting up outbreak prone disease testing platforms and setting up Lepto MAT testing.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Specific technical knowledge on Lepto testing. Demonstrated writing skills to prepare technical plans and has excellent communication skills.

LANGUAGES

Expert level of written and spoken English is required.

COMPETENCIES

• • Culturally sensitive;
• • Communicating in a credible and effective way; and
• • Producing results.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Duration of contract: 26 September – 4 November 2022

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 2 September 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. 181673 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.