Back Consultant - Antimicrobial Resistance, Lao PDR

Purpose of the Consultancy

This consultancy aims to support the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Committee in reviewing and updating the National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2019-2023 and support relevant departments in the Ministry of Health in implementing key AMR activities, including antimicrobial consumption and antimicrobial use monitoring. 

Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health threat. The rapid global spread of multi- resistant bacteria that cause common infections and that resist treatment with existing antimicrobial medicines is alarming and urging our immediate actions to address this critical issue.  Recently, Lao PDR joined global leaders in issuing a political declaration at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance and reaffirmed their commitment to fight against AMR. This included committing to a clear set of targets and actions - notably reducing the estimated 4.95 million human deaths associated with bacterial AMR annually by 10% by 2030 – as well as issuing a call for sustainable national financing and US$100 million in catalytic funding, to help achieve a target of at least 60% of countries having funded national action plans on AMR by 2030.  In Lao PDR, the National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Lao PDR 2019-2023 was developed based on consultations with key stakeholders across relevant sectors under the leadership of the Ministry of Health. It identified a set of key priorities in moving forward the AMR agenda in the country. With substantial support from various partners, there have been lots of progress in strengthening AMR surveillance system and reporting the AMR surveillance data through the global platform, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS), establishing antimicrobial consumption (AMC) monitoring system at the national and healthcare facility levels and enhancing antimicrobial stewardship with improved awareness on the importance of AMR.  Based on the government’s strong commitment to fight against AMR, the National AMR Committee was updated in 2024 and plans to update the National Strategic Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance in Lao PDR 2019-2023 to identify and agree on a set of priority actions across relevant sectors building on the progress made under the current strategy. For this, the Ministry of Health requested WHO to provide technical support for the process in close coordination with key development partners in the area.

Deliverables  Method(s) to carry out the activity Under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Health Systems Development (HSD) Team in WHO Country Office in Lao PDR and the guidance by all relevant team members in HSD and WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) team, the consultant will work with focal points for AMR in the Ministry of Health, relevant line Ministries, national and international counterparts (including hospitals and/or clinical associations, UN agencies), and development partners in the area closely. The consultant will conduct the following activities and submit regular reports:  

1. Support the National AMR Committee in drafting the (updated) National Strategic Action Plan on AMR and finalizing it based on feedback from the Committee and key stakeholders in coordination with relevant departments and institutes of the Ministry of Health, national and international partners including WHO, FAO, other UN agencies and development partners;
2. Support in the Food and Drug Department (FDD)in collecting, analysing, interpreting and using antimicrobial consumption (AMC) data and writing reports relating to AMC at the national and hospital levels;
3. Collaborate with relevant partners in supporting the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation in setting up antimicrobial use (AMU) monitoring system; 
4. Support the National AMR Committee, led by the Department of Communicable Diseases Control, for AMS activities, linking with AMC and AMU monitoring, AMR laboratory surveillance, and infection prevention and control in close collaboration with MOH, hospitals and development partners;
5. Write reports and provide updates to WHO and relevant partners.  Output/s Output 1: (Updated) National Strategic Action Plan on AMR Deliverable 1.1: Draft National Strategic Action Plan on AMR based on the review of the current strategy implementation and discussion at the National AMR Committee Meeting  Deliverable 1.2: Final National Strategic Action Plan on AMR reflecting all the key feedback from the National AMR Committee and key stakeholders Deliverable 1.3: Support for organizing the National AMR Committee Meeting and any relevant consultation meetings on the updated National Strategic Action Plan on AMR  Output 2: Support for AMC monitoring activities Deliverable 2.1: Support the Food and Drug Department (FDD) in collecting, analysing and using the AMC data and conducting any necessary refresh trainings based on consultations with the FDD Deliverable 2.2: Support FDD in expanding AMC to the private sector in close collaboration with relevant partners Output 3: Support for setting up AMU monitoring system Deliverable 3.1: Support the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation (DHR) in setting up the AMU monitoring system at the national and facility levels in close collaboration with the WHO WPRO and HQ and key partners  Output 4: A concept note on AMS: Deliverable 4.1: Concept note on the AMS programme implementation plan, connecting with all AMR activities, AMC and AMU monitoring, AMR laboratory surveillance and infection prevention and control, to improve rational use of antimicrobials which will be incorporated into the updated National Strategic Plan on AMR

   Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

   Educational Qualifications: Essential: University degree in medicine, pharmacy, or other health related fields Desirable: Postgraduate degree in public health, epidemiology or pharmacy

   Experience   Essential: Minimum of five years' work experience related to AMR.  Desirable: Experience in supporting the development of the national AMR strategy or plan. Experience in implementing AMR activities such as AMR surveillance, AMC monitoring, AMU monitoring and AMS programmes at the national or subnational level in resource-constrained settings, specifically work experience in Lao PDR. Substantial work experiences in the hospital, the pharmacy, or the government, and WHO or other international organisations. 

   Skills/technical skills and knowledge: Excellent knowledge in infectious diseases and AMR-related issues Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with Government counterparts, WHO colleagues, donors, and relevant partners Excellent planning, organization and coordinating skills Strong results-based programme management experience, with particular focus on policy, planning and capacity building Good knowledge of the country and Greater Mekong sub-region context  Proficiency in standard MS Office applications including MS Excel, MS Word and MS PowerPoint

   Language requirements: Expert knowledge of English (Read – Write – Speak ) 

   Location  On site: The assignment is based in WHO Representative Office, Lao PDR

   Travel The consultant will be required to travel within the country to provide technical support for AMR based on requests from the Ministry of Health as needed. 

   Remuneration and budget Remuneration: Band level A - USD 3,955 – USD 6,980 (monthly)
   Duration: 3 months, July to October 2025

   Additional Information:

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