SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY (STC) - Epidemiologist for TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO NATIONAL MALARIA CONTROL PROGRAMME IN CAMBODIA

BACKGROUND

In the discussion with MoH, Cambodia, Global Fund and Partners, it was agreed that WHO should strengthen its role in technical support at the provincial level to:

1. Strengthen program coordination and ensure full implementation of Malaria National Strategic Plan interventions; and
2. Implement an aggressive approach to deploy interventions to impact risk and deplete parasite reservoirs in populations with highest risk of malaria.

Three WHO teams , composed of 1 Epidemiologist (Team Leader), International and 1 Public health officer:  Assist epidemiologist’s work, Local STC (Public Health Officer), from 01 January 2019 until 31 December 2019  will also be based at provincial levels to support the Provincial Health Department (PHD) to coordinate activities with implementing partners at Operational District (OD) and Health Centre levels in the following areas:

• Team A : Provinces of Kratie, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri (based in Ratanakiri)
• Team B : Provinces of Stung Treng, Preah Vihear (based in Stung Treng)
• Team C : Province of Kampong Speu (based in Kampong Speu)

Three consultants (Epidemiologists) will be based in different provinces and coordinate activities with implementing partners at Operational District (OD) and Health Centre levels.
These consultancies are for emergency on Malaria outbreak, and will be of limited duration

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

1. Support program coordination and ensure full implementation of Malaria National Strategic Plan interventions; and  
2. Support Implementation of aggressive approach to deploy interventions to impact risk and deplete parasite reservoirs in populations with highest risk of malaria.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

• Improve Coordination and programme management
• Improve Surveillance/Case detection 
• Improve Prevention and Case Management

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
A consultant will be based in one of the provinces and responsible for the following tasks:

Output 1: Improve Coordination and programme management

• Deliverable 1.1: Develop the plan and organize the monthly coordination meeting at all targeted ODs. Identify gaps and challenges for current/future programme implementation and coordination at province and district level;
• Deliverable 2.1: Conduct monthly assessment on the status of redeployment and functionality of the VMW network inc. performance of diagnosis and treatment (quality assurance), surveillance data reporting, population coverage and utilization of services, payments and meeting attendance for the next 12 months;
• Deliverable 3.1: Develop annual and  monthly supervision plan by 1) OD and CSO staff to high burden HCs and villages (monthly) and by 2) Mobile Malaria Workers (MMWs) or Village Malaria Workers (VMWs) to forest areas with continued circulation;
• Deliverable 4.1: Organize monthly meetings to coordinate efforts by CSOs and PHD/OD to identify locations of forest sites and migrant and mobile populations (MMPs) and monitor implementation
• Deliverable 5.1: Conduct monthly assessment on the stock level of Rapid Diagnostics Tests (RDTs) and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) at Provincial, OD and HC levels.  
• Deliverable 6.1: Conduct monthly assessment compliance with national treatment guidelines and ensure full implementation.
• Deliverable 7.1: Summarize and communicate any issue which requires the attention of CNM/UNOPS and WHO to WHO Cambodia team.

Output 2: Deliverable Surveillance/Case detection

• Deliverable 2.1: Conduct spot checking at HCs to ensure that the surveillance data from health center and villages are accurately entered into the Malaria Information System (MIS) and Health Information Management System (HIMS).  Improve reporting timeliness and completeness of malaria cases from health care centres and villages to ODs/PHDs;
• Deliverable 2.2: Identify high priority areas (with high cases and increasing trend)

Output 3: Deliverable Case Management and Prevention

• Deliverable 3.1: Each month, assess gaps in coverage and utilization of recent LLIN mass distribution in targeted villages (campaign) and forest packs among forest goers (continuous distribution) and help partners and provinces develop a plan for continuous LLIN distribution;

• Deliverable 3.2: Each month, assess the implementation and gap of the case management and chemoprophylaxis.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION  
Essential:  University degree in medicine, science or equivalent with postgraduate degree in public health or epidemiology from an accredited/recognized institute.

EXPERIENCE
Essential: Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience required. 
An experience in WHO or other UN Organizations, working on communicable diseases is desirable.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

LANGUAGES
Good knowledge of English is essential (Read-Write-Speak).

COMPETENCIES

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Moving forward in a changing environment  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

DUTY STATION:  Ratanakiri or Stung Treng or Kampong Speu, CAMBODIA
ORGANIZATION:  WHO Western Pacific Regional Office
TYPE OF CONTRACT:  Short Term Consultancy
APPLICATION DEADLINE:  30 November 2018 (1700 – GMT8)
START DATE:  01 January 2019
DURATION OF CONTRACT:  1 Year with possible extension

Place of assignment

Locations:  
A consultant is based in one of the provinces (i.e. Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Kampong Speu).

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

Travel
Frequent travels to neighbouring provinces within the cluster are expected. Occasional travels to Phnom Penh are required upon request by MVP/KHM.

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

Visas 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} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} together with the monthly rate in (USD) to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 30 November 2018 (1700H GMT8) 

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. WPRO/2018-11/KHM_MVP/TN80245/vrs as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.