BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem in Papua New Guinea (PNG), one of the 30 high TB and MDR-TB burden countries in the world. The estimated incidence of TB was 432 per 100,000 population in 2019, which is one of the highest globally and is the second highest in the Western Pacific Region. TB treatment success rate stands at 73% in 2019. TB is a leading cause of death in PNG with mortality rate of 53 per 100,000 population. MDR/RR-TB prevalence is estimated to be 3.4% among new cases and 26% among previously treated in 2019. 

National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis for Papua New Guinea 2021–2025 has been developed and will be submitted and endorsed by the NDOH in Q3, 2021. This strategy aims to increase treatment success rate at least to 85% for all forms of TB, to provide universal drug susceptibility testing to at least 90% of people with TB, to increase HIV testing among people diagnosed with TB to at least 90% and to improve technical and managerial capacity of NTP at all levels.

Current COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted delivery of TB services in PNG. As of the 20th of June 2021, there were 17,079 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in PNG. The highest number of COVID-19 cases (5152 as of 22 June 2021) are reported in the National Capital District (NCD). NCD accounts for about 21% of total TB cases in PNG, while about 5% of the country’s population resides in NCD. The NCD registered a 14% (972 case) decrease in case notifications in 2020, from 6,819 in 2019 to 5,849 cases in 2020. This is attributed to COVID-19 lockdowns and interruptions in service availability.

In order to address reduction of TB case notification as well as reach targets set in the National Strategic Plan 2021-2025, the National Department of Health has planned to implement several important interventions to improve TB services with financial support from the World Bank, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia and Global Fund and technical support from WHO. The Emergency Tuberculosis Project supported by the World Bank focuses on expansion of the coverage, quality and utilization of services aimed at controlling the spread of TB including DR-TB in the Western Province and the NCD.  The Global Fund supported joint TB/HIV grant 2021-2025 supports priorities and interventions in alignment with the National TB Strategic Plan 2021-2025 with focus on 11 high burden provinces. DFAT has provided and continues to invest in TB prevention and care in Western province and NCD. 

Lack of human resources, accountability, leadership and poor implementation of essential TB services continue to be a challenge. WHO Papua New Guinea office will assist the NDOH in supporting the National TB Programme by providing technical guidance and supporting specific implementation of the planned activities of the NTP through recruitment of short-term consultant for 8 months. The STC will work under the leadership of WHO Representative and in collaboration with the NTP. 

PURPOSE/ SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical assistance to the National TB Program, Papua New Guinea on TB prevention, care and treatment including drug resistant tuberculosis and to undertake the specific tasks as reflected under description of activities and deliverables.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Specifically, the consultant will work with the NTP -PNG and its partners to:

1. Provide technical guidance and support to NTP and NCD PHA for implementation & monitoring of the Emergency TB Project in NCD
2. Coordinate, support implementation and monitor systematic screening for active TB in NCD including data management
3. Supervise and monitor implementation of electronic TB information system in NCD
4. Mentor and take part in supportive supervision of the TB activities in NCD and Daru, Western province
5. Conduct and facilitate trainings on TB for health workers in NCD
6. Prepare progress and final reports to donors

Expected deliverables include:

1. Systematic screening for active TB in NCD initiated and rolled out
2. Review of e-TB module conducted
3. Training of health workers conducted
4. Staff in health facilities mentored and supervised
5. Progress and final project reports developed

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITIES

The Contractor/s will be supporting the WHO Country Office and the National TB Programme to plan, implement, monitor and report on the planned activities supported by donors including World Bank and the Department of Foreign affairs and Trade, Australia. This would require 8 months from August 2021 to the end of March 2022.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES

EDUCATION

Essential

First level university degree in Medicine and/or epidemiology/and /or Social Sciences

Desirable

Master’s Degree in Medicine (MD, MB BS) and/or Public Health, and/or Epidemiology, and/or Social Sciences or related area

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

At least 5 years of public health work experience of which at least 3 years in communicable diseases, including TB;

Related experience in managing resources and working effectively in a multi-stakeholder international environment including developing and promoting collaborative actions with national authorities.

Desirable:

Previous experience with WHO, in UN organizations/agencies, international institutions or nongovernmental organizations, particularly in developing countries;

Experience of working in Papua New Guinea

FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• • Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, including tuberculosis
• • Excellent communication skills
• • Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills
• • Ability to work in a team with limited supervision
• • Ability to work under pressure
• • Ability to work as part of a team, and high level of interpersonal skills to work with National Department of Health and partners

COMPETENCIES

• • Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• • Moving forward in a changing environment
• • Ensuring the effective use of resources
• • Fostering Integration and teamwork
• • Communication in a credible and effective way

LANGUAGE

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV or WHO Personal History and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > and < wppnghr@who.int > by July 13, 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 133628 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.