Tobacco Cessation Consultant
- BACKGROUND
Tobacco use in the Solomon Islands is a significant public health concern. According to the 2015 STEPS survey, 36% of all adults (and 56%) of men use tobacco and the rate is increasing.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing more than 7 million people a year, with one death occurring every six seconds. Tobacco smokers lose at least one decade of life expectancy compared to those who never smoked. More than 6 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while approximately 890,000 are the result on non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. The prevalence of tobacco use in the Pacific is much higher than the global average of 21%. Tobacco is addictive and once a user becomes hooked, it is very difficult to stop unless effective cessation support is given.
Tobacco use impacts other areas outside of health. Tobacco users who die prematurely deprive their families of income, raise the cost of healthcare and hinder economic development. Government expenditures for non-communicable disease treatments carry the highest of all healthcare costs in the Solomon Islands and is a leading cause of disability. Chronic disease also impacts individuals and families; as it can reduce quality of life and increase treatment costs, causing financial hardship and poverty. Tobacco use affects both the quantity and quality of the work force through premature death of workers, disability or absenteeism as the result of stroke, diabetic-related blindness, amputation, heart trouble or respiratory illness.
Solomon Islands is taking steps to reduce the supply and demand of tobacco products through development and implementation of policy, systems and environmental change strategies. However; to effectively reduce rates of population use, cessation programs are needed to support those who currently use tobacco and who are motivated to quit. Currently, Solomon Islands does not offer cessation programs within the country.
To address this concern, the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has requested WHO support to hire a short-term consultant to:
- train health workers on cessation strategies and techniques;
- develop a cessation plan for the Solomon Islands;
- provide consultation and/or content for cessation education or campaign materials; and,
- integrate and align the cessation programme within the Solomon Islands Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease Interventions (SolPEN) programme.
2. PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
A consultant will be recruited to support efforts by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MoHMS) in the Solomon Islands to support tobacco cessation efforts.
3. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The primary responsibilities of the Consultant are listed below.
3.1 Train health workers on cessation strategies and techniques.
- Develop a presentation, curriculum, relevant teaching materials and related resources.
- Deliver a one-week evidence-based cessation training/workshop to approximately 20 health workers and/or NCD Coordinators. This would include, at a minimum: introduction to cessation, principles of cessation, patient assessment, stages of readiness, motivational interviewing, addiction scores, medication and indications for referral.
- Develop and administer a pre/post assessment of knowledge.
3.2 Develop a cessation plan that is integrated and aligned within the SolPEN initiative.
- Review current data on tobacco use in Solomon Islands.
- Understand how the non-communicable disease (NCD) unit at MHMS functions and assess their capacity to implement cessation programme.
- Conduct an assessment and patient focus group(s) to assess motivational triggers and potential opportunities and barriers.
- Develop a cessation plan and recommendations that include (at a minimum): context, situational overview, opportunities, threats, key findings, five-year procurement recommendations (with costings), training and roll-out, monitoring and evaluation.
3.3 Provide consultation and/or content for cessation education, campaign materials and/or systems.
- Develop culturally relevant content and patient educational material for cessation (e.g. tips to quit, quit line information, reducing triggers, etc).
- Provide consultation to NCD team on effective quit-line strategies.
4. METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
The Consultant will carry out the activities in conjunction with multiple stakeholders, but under the direction of the WHO NCD Technical Officer. The Consultant will be responsible for leading and organizing all activities but logistical support will be provided by the NCD unit of MHMS and the WHO NCD Technical Officer.
Output/s
Output 1: Health workers successfully trained on cessation strategies and techniques.
- Deliverable 1.1. Development of a presentation, curriculum, relevant teaching materials and related resources.
- Deliverable 1.2. Successful delivery of a one-week evidence-based cessation training/workshop to health workers.
- Deliverable 1.3: Document which outlines results from the pre/post test.
Output 2: Completion of a cessation plan that is integrated and aligned within the SolPEN initiative.
- Deliverable 2.1. Assessment and focus groups completed.
- Deliverable 2.2. Cessation plan developed.
Output 3: Consultation and/or content for cessation education, campaign materials and/or systems effectively provided.
- Deliverable 3.1. Summary of consultation given and materials developed.
- Deliverable 3.2. Summary of consultation provided to NCD team on effective quit-line strategies.
5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Essential:
A post-secondary degree in public health, psychology, sociology or related science-based field.
EXPERIENCE
Essential:
- At least three years of experience related to tobacco cessation.
- Experience with providing evidence-based tobacco cessation training.
- Experience working with underserved and diverse communities and people.
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- Motivational interviewing.
- Systems development in public health and healthcare related systems.
- Strong planning and writing skills, particularly in the area of tobacco and/or non-communicable disease.
- Cessation certification or credentials with recognized organization preferred.
- Knowledge and understanding of health systems.
LANGUAGES
- Expert fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential.
- Knowledge of pidgin language is desirable.
COMPETENCIES
- Ability to present and communicable in a credible and effective way.
- Produces results.
- Fosters integration and teamwork.
- Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The location of assignment will vary according to task. The majority of the work (20 working days) will be carried out in Honiara, Solomon Islands, but Consultant may be required to travel outside of Honiara for assessment. In-country work would include scoping, assessment, training, conducting focus groups, etc). This work would eligible for daily subsistence allowance. The remainder of the work will take place from the Consultant’s home location. Work completed at a home location would not be eligible for daily subsistence allowance.
Any questions regarding this consultancy should be directed to Kirsten Frandsen at frandsenk@who.int
All international and domestic flight arrangements will be made by WHO. WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. Travel to provinces may be required within Solomon Islands.
While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance while in the Solomon Islands. 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 and Expression of Interest (cover letter) to the Supply Officer at wproungm@who.int > by 28 March 2019.
The Expression of Interest should outline how your experience and qualifications make you a suitable candidate for this position and should include your proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.
Please use Tender Notice No. WPRO/2019-02/SLB/TN83848/mom as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.