..
International Consultancy Contract for Infection Prevention and Control Nurse to Support the Implementation of the Infection Prevention and Control Component of the HER AF2 Project at the Health Facility level in Afghanistan
This consultancy is requested by:
Unit: WHO Health Emergency (WHE) Programme
Country Office Afghanistan
1. Purpose of consultancy
Support the implementation of the IPC component of the HER AF2 project at the health facility level through delivery of hands-on training, reinforce standard precautions, monitor compliance, and mentor hospital IPC staff. The consultant will be instrumental in operationalizing WHO guidance and building sustainable IPC capacity at the health facility level.
2. Background
Afghanistan continues to suffer the consequences of four decades of conflict, entrenched poverty, climate-induced crises, and barriers to women’s equality and participation in public life. This has negatively affected the lives of the Afghan people including growing unemployment, loss of livelihoods and assets, deteriorating health care systems, forced migrations, and other human rights violation.
The health system in Afghanistan continues to face enormous challenges due to conflict, under-resourcing, and weakened governance. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pose a significant threat to patient safety, especially in hospitals lacking adequate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) infrastructure, trained personnel, and standardized practices.
Under the Health Emergency Response Project – Additional Financing 2 (HER AF2), funded by the World Bank, WHO is leading the support to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) in 11 strategically selected hospitals across multiple provinces. These hospitals were identified based on high or moderate surgical workloads and include regional, provincial, and district-level facilities where infection prevention and control are critical for patient safety and clinical outcomes.
The project focuses on two core domains: (1) foundational IPC infrastructure (policies, training, staffing, and equipment) and (2) implementation of targeted interventions to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs).
3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Start date July 01, 2025
End date: December 31, 2025
4. Work to be performed
Supervised by the WHE TL and under the overall guidance of the Head of the WHO Country Office, and working closely with counterparts at the Regional Office, the incumbent will act as an international IPC Nurse at the health facility level. S/he will manage the IPC component of the HER AF2 project, by supporting
Output 1: the implementation of IPC activities at hospital level in the selected 11 hospitals including hands-on training of frontline health workers,
Output 2: supporting routine IPC compliance monitoring, and mentoring nursing and IPC focal staff on best practices in line with WHO and national IPC guidelines.
Deliverables:
1. Support dissemination and application of updated IPC SOPs and job aids in priority hospitals.
2. Conduct on-the-job training and coaching for nurses and auxiliary staff on PPE use, hand hygiene, waste management, and decontamination.
3. Facilitate modular in-service refresher trainings and follow-up assessments.
4. Assist IPC focal points in monitoring daily IPC practices using WHO checklists and reporting tools.
5. Support the setup and functionality of IPC committees, through meeting with the hospital administration, identifying and training of the IPC focal points within the hospitals and ensure nursing leadership involvement within a maximum of 12 weeks.
6. Mentor facility staff on environmental cleaning protocols, sterilization processes, and SSI prevention.
7. Promote patient and caregiver education using IEC materials and multimedia content.
8. Prepare a comprehensive update on the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) component for inclusion in donor progress reports.
5. Technical Supervision
The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:
Responsible Officer (1st supervisor):
Dr. Jamshed TANOLI
Email:
tanolij@who.int
Overall supervisor
Dr. Edwin Ceniza SALVADOR
Email:
salvadore@who.int
6. Specific requirements
Education:
· Essential: First level university degree in nursing. Certified training in the area of IPC from an accredited/recognized institute.
· Desirable: Advanced university degree in IPC, public health or other related field.
Experience
· Essential: from 5 to 10 years clinical nursing experience including at least 2 years working on IPC in health facilities and a minimum of 2 years of international experience. International experience is a requirement for an international consultancy.
· Previous work experience with WHO, other relevant UN Organizations or international NGOs
Skills/Knowledge
· Proven knowledge and skills in infection prevention and control, with experience performing IPC risk assessments and implementing IPC measures at facility level during acute and protracted emergencies, and outbreak investigations in health-care settings.
· Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels.
Languages
· Excellent knowledge of English.
· Basic knowledge of Dari or Pashtu is desirable
7. Place of assignment (onsite)
The consultant will provide in-person consultancy in Afghanistan WHO CO in Kabul. Travels to other provinces may take place based on the target locations for the project.
8. Medical clearance
The consultant who will provide in-person consultancy for six months and will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work in Afghanistan.
9.