Cervical cancer programme support to Nauru

BACKGROUND

The Pacific Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) and Health through the Life Course provides technical support to the Pacific Island Ministries of Health with Noncommunicable Diseases, Health Promotion, Nutrition and related issues including cancer control. Cancer control focus areas are primarily national cancer control planning, cancer registry support and early detection programme support. WHO is collaborating with the Nauru Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoHMS) to develop foundations for a cervical cancer screening programme which will be sustained by the MoHMS.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this activity is to engage an experienced organisation to support the completion of two major work areas relating to establishing the foundations of a cervical cancer early detection services in Nauru. At the end of the work, the relevant Nauru MoHMS workforce will be experienced and recognised as capable to carry out cervical cancer testing and pre-cancer treatment, in preparation for a strategically planned and documented programme which directs the nation towards cervical cancer elimination. The Nauru MoHMS will also be provided with the necessary training materials for ongoing internal transfer of knowledge in the future, and some basic equipment to carry on service delivery after training.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1: Locally adapted Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for existing and new cervical cancer screening methods.

Deliverable 1.1: An SOP document for the following clinical procedures: cytology sample collection and preparation, thermal ablation, colposcopy, HPV DNA test sample collection, visual inspection with acetic acid. SOPs must be in the Nauru MHMS SOP template.

Deliverable 1.2: SOPs for health system support to a cervical cancer screening programme: patient call/recall, data management, overseas referral.

Output 2: Training of approximately 16 MoHMS staff in the clinical procedures required for the cervical cancer screening programme, providing recognition of learning.

Deliverable 2.1: In partnership with Nauru Government and in-country supportive stakeholders, arrange logistics to run trainings with minimal administrative burden to Nauru Ministry of Health staff.

Deliverable 2.2: Trainings delivered, and participants recognised as capable to perform clinical application of: thermal ablation for cervical precancerous lesions, HPV DNA test sample collection, colposcopy, visual inspection with acetic acid, and cervical cytology collection.

Deliverable 2.3: Provision of teaching and learning materials.

Output 3: Nauru MoHMS equipped with technologies and items for cervical cancer screening and pre-cancer treatment.

Deliverable 3.1: 3 thermal ablation devices, to be used for training and remain in possession of the MoHMS thereafter.

Deliverable 3.2: 8 stainless steel vaginal speculums

Deliverable 3.3: 1 female pelvic model/mannequin for trainings.

Deliverable 3.4: 2 gooseneck lamps with replacement bulbs

Deliverable 3.5: Draft results recording form and referral forms suitable for Nauru setting

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Bidders are invited to describe the specific methodology of work that will be adopted in the various stages within the proposal, and their proposed approach to satisfy WHO’s expectations (in line with specific objectives and deliverables).

Site visit is recommended, and trainings must be provided face-to-face for assessment.

Output 1 & 2 will draw on most recent best practice and/or WHO guidance adapted to the Nauru setting in consultation with health staff. The successful bidder is expected to have experience with clinical application of the techniques which can be transferred to SOP development, teaching and learning sessions and materials.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential (within team):  

• • A degree in public health, health or social science, nursing, or a related field

Desirable:

• • A certificate, diploma or other degree in clinical education is desirable

EXPERIENCE

For team leader:

• - Experience with cancer-related projects
• - Experience working with the Pacific islands
• - Experience managing multiple simultaneous projects and staff

For the organization:

• - Leadership in the field of cancer control, cervical cancer in particular
• - Based in Pacific islands is preferred
• - Clinical teaching and assessment
• - Partnership activity (clinical and non-clinical) with Pacific island Governments, institutions, centres of excellence, NGOs, WHO collaborating centres or expert groups.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• • Understanding of cervical cancer early detection methods
• • Principles of cancer control and their practical application
• • Clinical teaching/training
• • Understanding of WHO guidelines for cervical cancer early detection and precancer treatment

Desirable

• • Cancer epidemiology
• • Understanding and interpretation of cancer data
• • Health system analysis

LANGUAGES

Expert level English: Reading, Writing and Speaking

COMPETENCIES

• • Teamwork
• • Communicating in a credible and effective way
• • Producing results
• • Moving forward in a changing environment
• • Ensuring effective use of resources

SUBMISSIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 10 October

• • Company Profile {for institutional applications} and CV of project lead
• • Technical proposal indicating solution, methodology and timelines, in addition to the below annexes: 
  • o   Annex 1: Acknowledgement Form
  • o   Annex 2: Confidentiality Undertaking
  • o   Annex 3: Proposal Completeness Form
  • o   Annex 6: Self-Declaration Form
• • Financial proposal

Please use Tender Notice No. RFP/WHO/DPS-PNH/2022/183305 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Last day of receiving queries for this tender is on 3 October 2022