Roster of consultants – Technical guidance on antimalarial drug efficacy and resistance

Purpose of consultancy

Guide malaria endemic countries in:

• 1) Generating quality and comparable data on antimalarial drug efficacy and resistance.
  Or
• 2) Responding to the threat of antimalarial drug resistance.

Background

Prompt treatment with effective antimalarial drugs is a critical component of malaria intervention to reduce malaria cases and deaths. However, resistance to antimalarial drugs challenges our ability to save lives threatened by malaria and to eliminate the burden that malaria places on individuals and societies.

Measurement of drug efficacy and resistance in malaria is complex. Studies of clinical and parasitological outcomes are the main sources of information on which national malaria control programs base their treatment policies. The generation of quality, comparable data on antimalarial drug efficacy and resistance is important for the early detection of resistance, which in turn enables timely action to prevent its spread and limit the impact on global health.

WHO calls for regular assessment of the efficacy of first- and second-line ACTs at least every two years at selected sentinel sites in each malaria-endemic country. It is critical to support countries in generating reliable data on antimalarial drug efficacy and resistance. In response to the threat of antimalarial drug resistance, there is a need to increase support to countries to conduct high-quality antimalarial drug efficacy and resistance studies. Consultants will be recruited and trained to provide the necessary guidance to countries.

In addition to improved availability of quality data, the threat of resistance requires an improved understanding of factors driving resistance and the interventions needed to respond. Consultants will provide guidance for country-specific assessments and plans on antimalarial drug resistance.

Deliverables

Specific deliverables will be pre-defined for each consultancy. Consultants are expected to contribute to assignments and perform a variety of tasks related to the following:

• Deliverable 1: Improved quality data on antimalarial drug efficacy and resistance.
  • Deliverable 1.1: Work with countries to develop and finalize therapeutic efficacy protocol using the standard WHO protocol.
  • Deliverable 1.2: Conduct country level training workshops on antimalarial drug efficacy and resistance.
  • Deliverable 1.3: Work with countries to ensure that therapeutic efficacy studies are implemented at high quality through on site guidance.
  • Deliverable 1.4: Conduct clinical monitoring of therapeutic efficacy studies at country level and do data analysis.
  • Deliverable 1.5: Partake in and help organize regional drug efficacy network meetings.
• Deliverable 2: Provide guidance to countries in the response to resistance.
  • Deliverable 2.1: Develop country-specific assessments of factors driving antimalarial drug resistance.
  • Deliverable 2.2: Develop country-specific plans for the response to antimalarial drug resistance.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Band Level B: A first level university degree in in medicine, epidemiology, public health or related field.
• Band Level C: Advanced university degree in epidemiology, public health or related field.

Desirable:

• Band Level B: Advanced university degree in public health, health science or related field.
• Band Level C: Additional professional qualifications related to public health, health systems strengthening or related field.

Experience

Essential:

Depending which area of work the consultant is applying for, the applicant must have:

• Experience in studies of antimalarial drug efficacy:
  • For Band level B: At least 5 years of field experience in conducting studies of antimalarial drugs efficacy.
  • For band level C: At least 10 years of field experience in conducting studies of antimalarial drugs efficacy.

OR

• Experience in guiding countries in developing plans that takes into consideration the threat of antimalarial drug resistance:
  • For Band level B: At least 5 years of international experience in guiding countries in developing plans that takes into consideration the threat of antimalarial drug resistance.
  • For band level C: At least 10 years of international experience in guiding countries in developing plans that takes into consideration the threat of antimalarial drug resistance.

Desirable:

• International experience in guiding countries in therapeutic efficacy studies of antimalarial drugs.
• Experience in assessing strength and weakness of malaria activities at country level.
• Experience in malaria microscopy including parasite counting.

Skills:

Essential:

• Demonstrated knowledge of public health and health systems functions.
• Demonstrated skills in report writing, data management, and standard Microsoft office applications.
• Familiarity with the WHO standard protocol for therapeutic efficacy studies.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of Arabic, French, Portuguese or Spanish.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B – USD 350 – 499 per day.
Band level C – USD 500 – 625 per day.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

Minimum of 20 days (this number will be adjusted depending upon operational needs).

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
  The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
  Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected].
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
• WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
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For roster VNs:

The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.