Solomon Islands HIV/STI and Viral Hepatis Division – Technical Assistance to review and develop HIV/STI National Strategic for 2024-2028

BACKGROUND

The national HIV/STI& Viral Hepatitis program response has been guided by the National Strategic plan (NSP) since 2001, endorsed by the cabinet in 2003. In 2005-2010, a more detailed and resourced revision of the document, the HIV Policy and multi-sectorial strategic plan then guided the program through to 2012. The NSP was a five-year strategic plan, approval for 2011-2015 NSP was delayed and thus revised for 2014-2018. In 2019-2023 NSP, viral hepatitis was integrated into the HIV response and Solomon Islands is committed to end HIV/AIDS, STIs and viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

The five-year strategic plan for HIV/AIDS, STI and viral hepatitis will need to be revised and updated for the next five years and a consultancy will be required to support the national program in reviewing and updating the NSP for 2024-2028. This NSP 2024 – 2028 needs to ensure that programme results contribute to the achievement of the National Health Strategic Plan 2022 – 2031. Consultant will also be providing necessary technical support and advise to the national program during the period of the consultancy.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

To reviewing and updating of the HIV/ STI &viral Hepatitis national strategic plan for the next five years, 2024-2028.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

In close collaboration with the Director for HIV/STI &Viral Hepatitis and WHO Country Office in the Solomon Islands, the consultant will be engaged online to perform tasks that includes consultations with the national HIV/STI & Viral Hepatitis program and relevant stakeholders, review the HIV/STI & Viral Hepatitis national strategic plan, updating the national strategic plan for the next five years aligning it with the national health strategic plan 2022-2031 and providing technical assistance to the overall program.

The national program will be responsible to provide relevant data, reports, and documents to assist consultant in updating the national strategic plan. On-going weekly meetings will be required with the consultant to go through national strategic plan ensuring that it is aligned with the ten years  national health strategic plan 2022-2031.

The final draft of the updated HIV/STI & Viral Hepatitis national strategic plan will be shared with all relevant stakeholders who will be participating in the reviewing and updating of the HIV/STI &Viral Hepatitis national strategic plan.

Output 1: HIV/STI &Viral Hepatitis national strategic plan review

Deliverable 1.1: Provide report on reviewed NSP and what areas within the NSP will need to be updated

Deliverable(s) to be submitted by 20 March, 50% payment upon submission.

Output 2: Updating of the HIV/STI & Viral Hepatitis national strategic plan

Deliverable 2.1: Deliver the final draft of the updated national HIV/STI & Viral Hepatitis program NSP

Deliverable(s) to be submitted by 03 April, 50% payment upon submission.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Specific duties to be performed by the consultant

• • Consultations with national program and relevant stakeholders with regards to NSP development
• • Review and update the HIV/AIDs, STI & viral Hepatitis national strategic plan for the next five years 2023-2028
• • Provide technical support and advise to the national program where required

Output/s:

• • Developed HIV/STI national strategic plan for the next five years, 2023-2028 linked to the NHSP 2022 - 2031
• • Technical support provided towards the HIV/STI& viral Hepatitis national program

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential: First level university degree in Medicine and/or epidemiology/and /or Social Sciences

Desirable: Master’s Degree in Medicine (MD, MBBS) and/or Public Health, and/or Epidemiology, and/or Social Sciences or related area

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• • At least 5 years of public health work experience of which at least 3 years in communicable diseases, including HIV/ADIs, STI & viral hepatitis.
• • Related experience in managing resources and working effectively in a multi-stakeholder international environment including developing and promoting collaborative actions with national authorities.

Desirable:

• • Previous experience with WHO, in UN organizations/agencies, international institutions or nongovernmental organizations, particularly in developing countries,
• • Experience of working in Solomon Islands/ other countries with a similar context to Solomon Islands and had experience in participating and/or reviewing and developing of national strategic plans or similar documents.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Good technical knowledge of WHO policies and guidelines on HIV/STI& Viral Hepatitis
• • Excellent analytical, planning, and organizational skills
• • Excellent communication skills
• • Ability to work under pressure
• • Ability to work as part of a team, and with limited supervision, with high level of interpersonal skills to work with National Department of Health and partners
• • Ability to communicate via internet and have the capacity to organize and facilitate online meetings
• • Excellent/demonstrated writing skills in academic settings
• • Proficient in standard MS Office software applications.  Presentation skills.

LANGUAGES

Expert level of English is essential (Read-Write-Speak).

COMPETENCIES

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Contract duration

1 month starting 3 February 2023

Place of assignment

Consultant will be working virtually and coordinating with the national HIV/STI & viral hepatitis program for the review and updating of the national strategic plan.

Medical clearance

The selected consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel

Traveling will not be required; consultant will be performing duties online to support the national HIV/STI & Viral Hepatitis program and provide deliverables by the end of the consultancy period.

All travel arrangements will be made by the WHO. The WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of the WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance. Visa requirements: It is the Consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

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 17 February 2023. 

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. 191340 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

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