BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted Infections (STI) are a leading cause of concern in the Western Pacific Region. The Western Pacific Region has an estimated 86 million people of 15-49 years age group infected with sexually transmitted infection, and tens of millions of people getting newly infected every year. Sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis threaten progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, and rest on effective prevention and control measures to ensure that these targets are met.

Some countries have specifically articulated national plans integrated with HIV and/or other national plans for the STI response. The issue of antimicrobial resistance is also a public health problem in the Western Pacific Region as high resistance for gonorrhoea has been described in several countries. There are concerns of a high or gradually increasing epidemic of some STIs in the region.  The lack of reliable data and poor STI surveillance in countries in the region is a key issue for designing strategies and innovations for the control and elimination of STIs as a public health problem. STI services are generally included within routine health service although there are a range of emphasis on key populations. The private sector is a major provider of services however is not well described and there is inadequate information on their role and extent of service provision. Furthermore, provision of STI services including monitoring, while established in the region, may not be available, accessible, or affordable at primary care facilities, or to key populations most at risk of STI infection.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

We are looking for a consultant or institution to work with the HIV, Hepatitis/STI (HSI) team of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific. The purpose of the consultancy is to conduct a landscape and scoping review on the magnitude and nature of sexually transmitted infections in the region and the current response, focusing on syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. The review will be the basis of further stakeholder and expert consultation in the region to discuss development of strategic and innovative approaches for elimination STIs as a major public health issue.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The consultant or institution will be supervised overall by the Medical Officer Viral Hepatitis, HIV/Hepatitis/STI team, Division of Programmes for Disease Control, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO). The work will be virtual due to current COVID-19 travel restrictions in the region.

Scope of work: Undertake the following activities in discussion with the WHO WPRO to conduct a regional landscape scoping review of the situation, develop comprehensive reports and technical/policy briefs to end STI by 2030; and deep dive in selected countries in the region. The deep dive proposed countries under this review will include Cambodia, the Lao PDR, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, and 3 countries in the Pacific (Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu). These countries reflect the different implementation status on STI control, prevention, and care.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY AND LIST OF OUTPUTS

Methods:

• • desk review of published and grey literature
• • focus group discussions or one-on-one discussions with key informants who may be public health professionals, clinicians, ministry of health officials, civil society organizations and others
• • organization of teleconferences with WHO and key experts to discuss findings and to refine the landscape report

Output:

The Report on STIs in the Western Pacific Region which includes the following:

1. Epidemiology and burden of sexually transmitted infections including major risk factors and where people seek care. This should include a specific sub-analysis of the Pacific region.
2. Mapping or description of control and prevention and care programmes and national plans such as commitment and program planning – STI control plans, costing, financing including for treatment and diagnostics, procurement and distribution, workforce development, legislation, and regulation, etc.
3. Current activities to prevent and control STIs : this feeds into understanding the continuum of care – health promotion, prevention, early detection/screening, treatment, particularly with reference to access to syphilis diagnosis and treatment by antenatal care attendees, key populations
4. Management of sexually transmitted infections including service delivery models (description of available services), range of case management guidelines (syndromic, screening, partner management), case management and treatment guidelines, access to drugs and other approaches including laboratory support.
5. Analysis of monitoring and evaluation including data reporting systems, STI surveillance
6. Documentation of country best practices or case studies or good initiatives
7. Deep dives in the proposed selected countries and the brief country snapshot/profile
8. Recommendations on potential strategies, approaches, innovations to accelerate the STI elimination agenda in the region by 2030.

Deliverables:

• • Deliverable 1: Assessment tool for the regional landscape scoping review, and draft plan for timelines for implementation of the review
• • Deliverable 2: Comprehensive review of the regional landscape and deep dive reports for the selected countries
• • Deliverable 3: Policy and short briefs of the work
• • Deliverable 4: Data collations on excel sheet which is the source for the analysis
• • Deliverable 5: Slide set for presentation of the work for webinars and other dissemination

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:

University degree in medicine, epidemiology or other relevant degree in public health.

Desirable:

Master's degree or above in epidemiology or public health.
 

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

At least 10 years’ experience in epidemiology, public health and/or health research including some experience within sexually transmitted infection epidemiology and health system response to sexually transmitted infections, in an international context. Experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research in a variety of cultural contexts.

Desirable:

Experience and knowledge of STIs in the Western Pacific region or countries is desirable

SKILLS AND TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

Excellent report writing and data analysis. Good knowledge of the dynamics of the international public health work. Demonstrated ability to communicate research findings through a variety of media. Excellent communication skills (oral and written). Ability to complete the tasks in the given time frame.

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is essential.

COMPETENCIES

• Producing results
• Communicating in a credible and effective ways
• Teamwork
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Place of assignment:

Manila, Philippines (working remotely)

Medical clearance:

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

Duration of contract:

3 months and 5 days

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applicants}, Expression of Interest {cover letter} with proposed fee and timelines to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < [email protected] by 10 September 2021 (1700 GMT+8 Manila ) 

Please use Tender Notice No. 140759 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.