BACKGROUND

In the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS), the Pacific Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) and Health through the Life Course (PNH) assists the Pacific island Ministries of Health with implementation of their national NCD strategies and plans, which include NCD prevention and management at primary health care with referral linkages to the higher-level health facilities. The adaptation of the clinical protocols contained in the PEN/HEARTS packages are progressing well in the 14 PICs. Ongoing support is needed to monitor and address implementation and compliance to these clinical guidelines, the health system gaps and capacity issues that impact on service delivery, and to ensure that the package of essential NCD clinical services continue to be delivered to the target beneficiaries despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The role of this consultant is to provide support to the Northern Pacific Island Countries in strengthening NCD clinical management following the latest global guidance on the management of NCDs following the PEN/HEARTS protocols at primary health care level; and support the PICs in monitoring and ensuring the maintenance of essential NCD clinical service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1: Support quality improvement and strengthening activities on the delivery of NCD clinical services following the integrated PEN/HEARTS – PCDC protocols/systems in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Palau and Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).

Deliverable 1.1 At least three virtual training sessions with Ministry of Health teams in the Northern Pacific on the implementation of the tailored clinical management guidelines, and on the processes and including the analysis of the results of the clinical audit on the compliance of frontline health workers to the clinical management guidelines.

Deliverable 1.2 Participation in at least two virtual events in collaboration with PCDC and input on linkages between PEN and the PCDC approaches.

Output 2: Support planning for the strengthening PEN/HEARTS implementation in the Northern Pacific and its integration with the public health programs at the primary health care level; including the strengthening of the building blocks of the health system pillars for the effective delivery of NCD clinical services.

Deliverable 2.1 At least two Northern Pacific island countries/areas supported to develop plans for the update of their national management protocols in line with latest global guidance.

Deliverable 2.2 At least two Northern Pacific island countries/areas supported to develop and implement plans to reduce the gaps in the health system building blocks 

Output 3: Support the maintenance and strengthening of the delivery of essential NCD services as part of the COVID response.

Deliverable 3.1 Revision/updating of the PEN costing calculator for at least three PICs and support planning and advocacy for NCD investments for medicine and supplies.

Deliverable 3.2 At least two PICs supported with planning and implementation of alternative modes of delivery of NCD clinical services, including digital health.

Deliverable 3.3 At least two PICs supported to ensure appropriate monitoring and response planning of essential NCD clinical service delivery during COVID-19.

Output 4: Support for the strengthening of the early detection of cervical cancer.

Deliverable 4.1 At least two Northern Pacific islands/areas supported to plan for the implementation of the appropriate secondary prevention actions in the Global Strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.

METHOD(S) TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

• • Phone calls and emails.
• • Virtual meetings and virtual trainings.
• • Resource development and sharing.
• • Travel to provide in-person technical support, if possible.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION      

• Essential: Medical degree
• Preferred: Advanced degree in Public Health

EXPERIENCE

• • At least 7 years of experience within the area of NCD prevention and management
• • Experience working at a health system management level
• • Experience working in one or more Pacific island countries/areas

SKILLS / TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• • Experience providing support on implementation of the Package of Essential NCD interventions in primary health care (PEN) including at planning level
• • Experience conducting capacity building for health professionals
• • Experience with developing plans, protocols and policies on NCD management

LANGUAGE

• • English – written and spoken

COMPETENCIES

• • Communicating in a credible and effective way
• • Producing results
• • Moving forward in a changing environment
• • Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment

Remote with likely some travel to the Northern Pacific islands (depending on travel restrictions); specific dates and countries to be finalised later.

Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Contract duration

Expected working days between 10/01/2022 and 30/06/2022 are:

• Output 1:  15working days
• Output 2:  50 working days
• Output 3: 30 working days
• Output 4: 25 working days
• Total = 120 days

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV, and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < [email protected] > by 28 October 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position, how they will approach the work, and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee, days required to complete work, total project costs, and availability/timeline.

Please use Tender Notice No. 147871 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.