SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY (STC) -EPIDEMIOLOGIST TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO NATIONAL CENTER FOR PARASITOLOGY ENTOMOLOGY AND MALARIA CONTROL 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 the highest risk of malaria.

In order to fulfill this role, WHO is recruiting 1 epidemiologist to complete 1 of the 3 teams, composed of 1 Epidemiologist (Team Leader, International staff) and 1 Public health officer from National Malaria Program. These three teams, in the frame of the intensified malaria response plan, cover provinces of high malaria incidence:

Team A: Preah Vihear and Stung Treng
Team B: Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri
Team C: Kampong Speu and Kratie

Duration: 1 year

The epidemiologist consultant will be expected to travel extensive amount of time in 2 of the following provinces Kampong Speu, Kratie, Mondulkiri, Ratanaki, Stung Treng and Preah Vihear provinces and will support and coordinate activities with implementing partners at Operational District (OD) and Health Centre levels.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

1. Setting up malaria epidemiological mapping of malaria transmission areas and village/settlements of residence of cases in high malaria endemic areas included in the intensification plan in order to better focus intensified supervision and response
2. Define and supervise aggressive active screening and testing interventions focused on populations and locations with highest risk of malaria in order to deplete the parasite reservoir.

Planned timelines (Subject to Confirmation)

Start date:  06 January 2020
End date:  31 December 2020

Work to be performed

• Description of activities to be carried out:
  • Full review of malaria surveillance management system in place in ODs covered
  • Report on data management issues and corrective actions needed to improve quality of malaria data reported
  • Coordinate, supervise and build capacity on data processing “clean up” based on results of data review
  • Generate malaria epidemiological mapping in collaboration with provincial malaria supervisor and supporting NGO regional coordinator (CARE for Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri and Kratie and CRS for Stung Treng and Preah Vihear.
  • Accompany PMS and NGO to perform monthly epidemiological mapping and analysis aiming at their autonomy by second trimester of technical support project and better localisation of malaria services supervision and intensification
  • Give technical support in the design and implementation of active screening and testing interventions focused on populations and locations with highest risk of malaria
  • Evaluation of active screening and testing interventions and on the basis of these evalutions, adaptation of interventions design
  • A written report on technical support project implementation and outcome is produced to facilitate dissemination of its practical and useful findings.

Outputs/Deliverables

• Method(s) to carry out the activity
  • Outputs

Output 1: Malaria epidemiological mapping of cases per village of residence and of areas of high transmission are generated monthly

• Deliverable 1.1: Conduct joint assessment of malaria surveillance system in place at all levels (Village Malaria Worker, Mobile Malaria Worker, Health Post, Health Center and Operational district)
• Deliverable 2.1: Report on findings of assessment in a written report and meetings with key stakeholders
• Deliverable 3.1: Develop with stakeholder’s support roll out of measures to ensure clean up and quality of data.
• Deliverable 4.1: Write simple SOP describing mapping process and train/build capacity of operational district and supporting NGO to generate monthly malaria epidemiological mapping
• Deliverable 5.1: Monthly malaria epidemiological mapping shared and accessible to all relevant stakeholders and produced by OD/PHD.

Output 2: Focused and epidemiologically based supervision and intensified malaria response, active screening and testing interventions

• Deliverable 2.1: Monthly technical meetings at OD level are taking place where epidemiological data and mapping are analyzed and inform where malaria services supervision and intensification should take place
• Deliverable 2.2: Active screening and testing interventions are designed and implemented
• Deliverable 2.3: Joint evaluation of active screening and testing interventions is done on quarterly basis and interventions are adapted accordingly
• Deliverable 2.4: OD and supporting NGO capable of designing relevant active case screening and case detection activities based on good epidemiological analysis.

Output 3: Deliverable Case Management and Prevention

• Deliverable 3.1: A written report on technical support project implementation and outcome is produced to facilitate dissemination of its practical and useful findings.
• Deliverable 3.2: Modus operandi and outcome of support project are shared during provincial and national meetings with key stakeholders.

Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

Responsible Officer: Malaria Scientist, team leader for MVP-KHM
Manager: Communicable Diseases Team Leader

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 2 years of experience in strengthening of surveillance system and outbreak response required. An experience in WHO or other UN Organizations and malaria is desirable.

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  

Place of assignment

WHO Cambodia

Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work and should be fit to travel on some occasions as passenger on a motorcycle on bumpy roads.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The consultant will travel extensively in the provinces.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at wproungm@who.int by            4 November 2019. 

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. 99048 as subject to all submissions.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.