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1. Purpose of the Consultancy
The World Health Organization (WHO) would like to recruit an experienced and dynamic short-term consultant to provide technical support to National Center for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control in Cambodia. During the working period consultant work closely Team Leader of Communicable Disease, the National technical officer, the Coordinator End TB and Leprosy Unit Division of Communicable Diseases World Health Organization, the Regional Office for the Western Pacific, the National Center for TB and Leprosy Control, USAID and other key partners to achieve the following expected outputs.
2. Background
Cambodia has recently transitioned out of the list of 30 high-burden countries for TB, yet the country remains on the global watch list for TB which warrants continued attention in TB response. According to the World Health Organization report in 2021, Cambodia has 48,000 total TB estimated incidence, 3,400 TB mortality, 45% of treatment coverage resulted from the TB notification of 21,589 in 2021.
While there have been successes in the treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in Cambodia, case detection of all types of TB remains a challenge over time, with one-third of cases not yet identified. Due to Covid 19 impact, the TB case notification was a bit further reduced in 2021 (21,589 cases) compared to the year 2020 (29,136 cases) before the case detection increased 2022.
The estimated percentage of TB cases with MDR/RR-TB is 1.9% and 12 % among new and previously treated cases respectively with approximately 1000 cases in 2021(WHO, 2021). However, only 137 laboratory confirmed-MDR/RR cases were identified and put on treatment in 2021. The treatment success rate of DS-TB has been 96% (cohort 2020) and success rate of MDR/RR-TB was 85% (cohort 2019). Approximately 40% of children under five that were household contacts of TB confirmed patients, received TB preventive treatment in 2021.
Although Cambodia is one of the seven high burden countries that has reached the 2020 milestone of a 20% reduction in TB incidence and has achieved remarkable progress in incidence reduction, reduced mortality, increasing treatment success rate for Drug Susceptible TB, there are remaining gaps and challenges still to be addressed. This will require additional effort as the National TB program (NTP) and partners implement activities in a COVID-19 operating environment. To reach the UN High-Level Meeting targets (UNHLM), SDGs, and targets of the WHO End TB Strategy, innovative interventions with adequate resources are strongly needed.
Cambodia is implementing its 3rd national TB prevalence survey, the protocol was endorsed and is in the preparation stage. WHO collaborates with technical expertise from Japan Anti- Tuberculosis Association (JATA), Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC), and other USAID partners to support the National Center for TB and Leprosy Control (CENAT) in conducting the national TB prevalence.
The current national guidelines are needed to update based on the latest WHO-recommended for TB prevention, treatment and care including the campaign 1/4/6 by 2024. ( 1 = One-month and once-weekly TB preventive treatments, 1HP and 3HP one month or once-weekly for TB prevention, four months for drug-sensitive TB, and six months for drug-resistant TB — by the end of 2024.
Multisectoral collaboration is crucial to address TB. The related work has been implemented to some extent and the National Consultation Workshop on Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework Among the line Ministry, Private Sector and CSO were organized. The framework needs to be established to guide the rollout implementation. The current End TB national strategy plan 2021-2030 needs to be reviewed, added the addendum, and recommended for priorities for 2024-2026 to reflect the new introduction of the innovative intervention, the latest global recommendation being implemented in the country.
The WHO consultant should, therefore, engage with government and non-state actors at all levels for evidence-generating and evidence-based decisions, policy formulation, and implementation monitoring and evaluation. In addition to the following expected outcomes
3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Start date: 01 April 2023
End date: 31 Jan 2024
4. Work to be performed
Method(s) to carry out the activity
The consultant will collaborate with the Team Leader of Communicable Disease/ National technical officer in Country office, WHO Head Quarter and Western Pacific Region (WPRO), the National Centre for TB and Leprosy Control (CENAT), JATA, IPC ,USAID partner and key stakeholders, the consultant shall deliver the following output:
Output/s
Output 1: Smoothly implemented the 3rd TB prevalence survey in close collaboration with CENAT, RIT/JATA, institute Paster, USAID partner and stakeholders.
Output 2: Multi-sector Accountability Framework (MAF) for TB developed, implemented, and monitored.
Output 3: Updated national TB guidelines based on the latest WHO recommendations, including the campaign 1/4/6 by 2024.
Output 4: Reviewed the current strategic interventions and recommended strategic priorities for 2024- 2026 and update the current National Strategic Plan to End Tuberculosis in Cambodia, 2021-2030 with the addendum
5. Specific requirements
- Qualifications required:
- Experience required:
- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, methodology and techniques in public health, including knowledge of TB prevention and control interventions
Skills in the management of TB program
Experiences in TB prevalence survey, operational research related to TB, writing the national TB strategic plan, guidelines and MAF-TB development.
- Language requirements:
Fluent in written/spoken English
6. Competencies
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
7. Place of assignment
National Centre for TB Leprosy Control in Cambodia (CENAT) and WHO Cambodia
8. Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
9. Travel
The Consultant is expected to travel.
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.
Additional information
This vacancy is archived.