Consultant
Bioefficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets in the Greater Mekong Sub-region
( 2305339 )
Contractual Arrangement : External consultant
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 5 months
Job Posting: Jul 7, 2023, 2:03:47 PM
1. BACKGROUND
The Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative (RAI) was launched in 2013 in response to the emergence of artemisinin-resistant malaria in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, the RAI grants have invested more than USD 500 million in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam, with a further grant for the 2024-2026 period. More details are available at www.rai-rsc.org.
The RAI Regional Steering Committee (RSC), a multi-stakeholder governance body, provides strategic guidance, selects recipient implementers, and oversees grant implementation to track progress against program objectives and ensure funding is used in accordance with agreed strategic priorities.
The RSC has mandated the establishment of an Independent Monitoring Panel (IMP) to:
- Provide evidence-based, qualitative, and independent feedback, both to country leadership and to the RSC as the accountable body regionally, on the quality and effectiveness of RAI program implementation;
- Identify critical bottleneck issues affecting the achievement of programmatic goals;
- Support the RSC governance role by providing strategic analysis and recommendations for remedial actions.
Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) treated with synthetic pyrethroids have been shown to reduce malaria incidence by around 30% in forested areas in the GMS, despite the local malaria vectors in some areas being characterized by early outdoor biting. LLINs are widely used to reduce transmission and provide personal protection. To be eligible for donor-funded procurement and distribution schemes, LLIN products must attain and retain World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification status by passing safety, quality, and efficacy benchmarks. Predelivery inspections further test product quality before distribution.
Studies have reported that substandard LLINs have been distributed in several countries since 2013. There have been several reports of reduced bioefficacy of LLINs in the GMS. For example, bio-efficacy tests performed by the VBDC entomology laboratory in Gyogone indicated potential quality issues with LLINs. Researchers in Papua New Guinea concluded that an unreported change in coating formulation was the cause of the reduced product performance seen there.
The RSC and the IMP have identified a need for an independent review of changes in LLIN efficacy over the last decade and likely impact on progress towards malaria elimination as well as the response to reported LLIN bio-availability issues relevant to the GMS. In line with the IMP’s mandate, this is to inform Regional Steering Committee (RSC) and the implementation of the Global Fund grant.
2. PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
The work to be performed in 2023 consists of a literature review followed by interviews with key informants and consultations with major stakeholders identified during the literature review and from the key informant interviews themselves. This work is to be performed remotely over six months.
3. PLANNED TIMELINES
Start date: 24 July 2023
End Date: 23 Dec 2023
4. METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY AND LIST OF OUTPUTS
The objectives of this independent data collection are to:
- Review reported changes in LLIN efficacy relevant to the GMS over the last ten years.
- Describe and assess the LLIN quality-assurance framework relevant to the GMS.
- Assess recent changes to LLINs quality assessment protocols relevant to the GMS.
- Consider potential systems to report concerns regarding bio-efficacy of insecticidal products.
- Consider actions to mitigate issues with bioefficacy of LLINs and the roles of relevant organizations
Output 1: Literature review on changes in LLIN efficacy over the last decade and impact on progress towards malaria elimination in the GMS.
Timeframe: Q3 2023 (remote, desk-based)
Deliverable: Draft literature review report and final literature review report
Activities:
- Review relevant literature (published and grey)
- Prepare a draft review report
- Liaise with RSC Independent Monitoring Panel and RSC Secretariat to incorporate feedback
- Prepare final literature review report to the RSC
Output 2: An independent review of the global response to reported LLIN bio-availability issues relevant to GMS malaria elimination
Timeframe: Q4 2023 (remote)
Deliverables: Proposed outline for report, agreed outline for report, list of key informants for interview, interview outline, schedule for interviews, draft report, final report.
Activities:
- Propose outline for the report
- Prepare an initial list of key informants and interview outline
- Liaise with RSC Independent Monitoring Panel and RSC Secretariat to incorporate feedback
- Prepare and implement schedule for interviews
- Update interview schedule periodically to incorporate additional key informants
- Prepare draft report for review by key stakeholders
- Liaise with RSC Independent Monitoring Panel and RSC Secretariat to incorporate feedback
- Prepare final report to the RSC
5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
This Consultancy requires a candidate who is completely independent with no potential for the perception of conflicts of interest.
Qualifications required : An advanced degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology, or a related field.
Experience required :
- At least ten years’ international experience in malaria vector control in endemic countries, preferably in an advisory capacity at senior levels;
- Experience in vector control research;
- Experience working in the Greater Mekong Subregion (desirable);
- Experience working with the Global Fund (desirable);
Skills / Technical skills and knowledge :
- Significant malaria control and elimination knowledge and experience;
- Proven ability to engage with, and build partnerships, across a broad range of stakeholders at senior level (private sector, governments, donors, WHO, PMI, RBM, APMEN, APLMA, etc.);
Language requirements :
- Excellent English written and oral communication skills;
6. COMPETENCIES
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing Results
Knowing and managing yourself
7. . PLACE OF ASSIGNMENT
The work will be performed remotely.
8. TRAVEL
No travel. This work will be performed remotely.
9. REMUNERATION AND BUDGET (TRAVEL COSTS EXCLUDED)
30% of the total contract amount will be paid on confirmation by the RSC Secretariat of satisfactory completion of Output 1.
70% of the total contract amount will be paid on confirmation by the RSC Secretariat of satisfactory completion of Output 2.
Work schedule (if applicable): The selected consultant will work a maximum of 35 days over six months.
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 .
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
- 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 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 final candidates.
- Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
- WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever 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 in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
- 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.
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P lease submit a cover letter detailing relevant experience as well as the daily fee.
