BACKGROUND

Despite improvements in infectious disease control and has recently transitioned out of the list of 30 high-burden countries for TB, Cambodia remains on the global watch list for TB which warrants continued attention and will remain a priority country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the estimated TB incidence in Cambodia declined from 575/100,000 in 2000 to 423/100,000 in 2011 and 287/100,000 in 2019.  While there have been successes in the treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in Cambodia, case detection of all types of TB remains a challenge, with over one-third of cases going undetected.  In 2020, the NTP reported 29,136 cases of TB, and decrease of 880 cases compared to 2019. However, the estimated total burden of TB is approximately 47,000, illustrating a large gap in case notification. The estimated percentage of TB cases with MDR/RR-TB is 1.8% and 8.2 % among new and previously treated cases respectively with approximately 1000 (500-1700) cases in 2019. However, only135 laboratory confirmed-MDR/RR cases were identified and put on treatment in 2019. The treatment success rate of DS-TB has been 94% (cohort 2018) and success rate of MDR/RR-TB was 70% (cohort 2017). Approximately 45% of children under five that were household contacts of TB confirmed patients, received TB preventive treatment in 2019.

Although Cambodia is one of the seven high burden countries that has reached the 2020 milestone of a 20% reduction in TB incidence and has achieved remarkable progress in incidence reduction, reduced mortality, increasing treatment success rate for Drug Susceptible TB, there are remaining gaps and challenges still to be addressed. This will require additional effort as the National TB program (NTP) and partners implement activities in a COVID-19 operating environment. To reach the UN High-Level Meeting targets (UNHLM), SDGs, and targets of the WHO End TB Strategy, innovative interventions with adequate resources are strongly needed.  The last prevalence survey in Cambodia was implemented in 2011. Considering key challenges and the ambitious targets set for Cambodia, reliable and accurate data is needed to confirm progress and steer resources to achieve targets. The NTP and partners have proposed to carry out a prevalence survey, which will provide a basis for moving forward. WHO will provide support to this process as well as providing technical assistance in other key areas that will assist the NTP in setting the foundation for meeting TB benchmarks in the areas of improving case notifications, strengthening LTBI and PMDT implementation, and improving TPT in children.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The World Health Organization (WHO) would like to recruit an experienced and dynamic consultant to provide technical support to National Center for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control in Cambodia. During working period consultant work closely national technical officer, team leader of Communicable Disease, country office, Coordinator End TB and Leprosy Unit Division of Communicable Diseases World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Western Pacific, National Center for TB and Leprosy Control  and key Stake holders to achieve the following expected outputs.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Collaborates with the Team Leader of Communicable Disease/ National technical officer in Country office, WHO Head Quarter and Western Pacific Region (WPRO), National Centre for TB and Leprosy Control (CENAT) and key stake holders, consultant will provide technical assistance to CENAT on the following:

1. To provide technical support for preparing, implementation of the 3rd TB prevalence survey.
2. To strengthen TB programmatic management.
3. To facilitate and coordinate technical platform/forum, M&E, operational research/studies, and innovative approaches, and
4. To develop PPM national strategic plan/guidance and adapt the WHO’s Multi-sector Accountability Framework (MAF).

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Outcome/deliverables

Deliverable 1: The third TB prevalence survey is arranged and coordinated based on agreement roadmap from CENAT, RIT/JATA, WHO, USAID, DFAT, GF, donors, and stakeholders

• Activity 1.1 Take a lead in coordinating and working closely with CENAT, RIT/JATA, DFAT, USAID, GF, JICA, and all stakeholders to support the implementation of the 3rd TB prevalence survey including but not limited to, facilitating the ongoing meeting and tracking the progress of survey preparation, implementation, and quality assurance.
• Activity 1.2 Work closely with WHO at country, region and headquarter levels for mobilizing technical support for the survey 

Deliverable 2: Public-Private Mix strategy developed and finalized 

• Activity 2.1: Conduct desk review of PPM model in other countries and WHO strategic guidance.
• Activity 2.2: Take the lead and coordinate the ongoing technical working group with CENAT, USAID, other stakeholders and related sectors to develop the PPM strategy and SOP 
• Activity 2.3 Drafted the Public-Private Mix strategy according to the agreements with the stakeholders, facilitate the consultative meeting and incorporate the inputs for finalization

Deliverable 3: Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework for TB developed and finalized (MAF-TB)

• Activity 3.1: Conduct desk review of MAF model in other countries and WHO strategic guidance.
• Activity 3.2: Take the lead and coordinate the ongoing technical working group with CENAT, USAID, other stakeholders related sector to develop the MAF for TB 
• Activity 3.3 Drafted the MAF for TB according to the agreements with the stakeholders, facilitate the consultative meeting and incorporate the inputs for finalization

Deliverable 4: Regular regional Green Light Committee (rGLC) technical visits conducted, and Program Management of Drug-resistant TB is strengthened based on the recommendations of GLC, and the latest WHO rapid Communications/recommendations.

• Activity 4.1:  Take the lead in reviewing the progress from GLC recommendations on Program Management of Drug-Resistant TB (PMDT), and with support from NPO organize the annual rGLC visit for Cambodia. 
• Activity 4.2:  Work with CENAT, USAID, CHC, and related partners on the realistic implementation of recommendations and action plans from rGLC to improve PMDT in Cambodia.

Deliverable 5 Actioned plan from the recommendation of Cambodia TB Patient Pathway Analysis study 

• Activity 5.1: Coordinate with WPRO/CENAT, USAID, and stakeholder for a meeting to develop an action plan based on the finding and recommendations from the Patient Pathway Analysis Study
• Activity 5.2: Drafted and finalize the action plan from PPA

Deliverable 6 National M&E sub-technical working established with clear TOR 

• Activity 6.1: support development ToR for the national M &E working group
• Activity 6.2:  Provide technical support to coordinate the M&E sub-TWG to finalize a draft of the national TB M&E plan 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

• • Essential: University degree in medicine from a recognized institution and post-graduate degree in public health.  Training in tuberculosis programmes.
• • Desirable:  National program assessment/ review, strategic development, managerial training, or TB epidemiology research

EXPERIENCE

• • Essential: Minimum of 15 years of experience in public health, especially experience in tuberculosis control programme.
• • Desirable:  Work experience in public health in developing countries, experience in planning, developing, and evaluating tuberculosis programmes

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, methodology and techniques in public health, including knowledge of TB prevention and control interventions
• • Skills in the management of TB programmes
• • Experiences in development of national strategic plans for TB control, operational research related to TB.

LANGUAGES

Fluent in written/spoken English

COMPETENCIES

1. Communicating in a credible and effective way
2. Producing results
3. Moving forward in a changing environment
4. Fostering integration and teamwork
5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment

WHO Cambodia

Medical clearance

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

Duration of contract      

11 Months (01 January 2022-30 November 2022)

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < [email protected] > by 7 December 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. 156762 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.