BACKGROUND

Lao PDR has a high TB disease burden in 2020 with an incidence rate of 149 per 100,000 (11,000 TB cases), a mortality rate of 26 per 100,000 (1,900 deaths), while TB treatment coverage rate reached 74%. Regarding HIV situation, among estimated 13,508 persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in 2020 around 10,421 (77%) were aware of their status and 8,189 (61%) PLHIV were retained on ART, of whom 81% were tested for viral load and 77% were <1000 copies. However, a considerable number of HIV and TB patients are still missed for early diagnosis and treatment due to access barriers and limited availability of services. Hence, the epidemics and co-epidemics of TB and HIV remain important public health issue. TB and HIV are the leading causes of infectious disease morbidity and mortality in Lao PDR, especially among high risk, vulnerable and key populations.

In line with the national policy to reach UHC in Lao PDR in 2025, it is very important to provide technical support in an integrated and dynamic manner for optimising TB and HIV programs interventions, within the framework of the cross cutting Health and Nutrition Services Access (HANSA) project management cycle. A consultant will provide comprehensive technical support for the National TB Centre (NTC) and the Centre for HIV/AIDS and STIs (CHAS) through an integrated, health system strengthening approach.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of the post is to provide targeted part-time technical support to the Ministry of Health, National TB Center (NTC), and the Centre for HIV, AIDS, and STI (CHAS) in assisting crucial activities requiring additional specific technical inputs under the National Strategic Plan and HANSA project. The incumbent will work under the guidance and supervision of the HIV/TB/Malaria (HTM) Team Leader in WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Regional Office.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The consultant will report to and be guided by the WHO Country Office HIV, TB and Malaria (HTM), Country Team Leader, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office teams, the consultant is assigned to:

1.  Provide technical assistance for the joint programme implementation of TB and HIV programmes response under their new national strategic plans within the framework of thenational HANSA project components, supporting key monitoring and evaluation of progress and achievements, and informing specific recommendations to update TB/HIV policy and priority activities;

2.    Provide technical support to NTC, CHAS and partners to review, revise and roll out the protocols and procedures for expanding the GeneXpert testing activities including optimization of specimen transportation, early TB diagnosis with drug resistance status, HIV Viral Load testing, and Covid19 testing;

3.    Provide technical support to NTC to assess current case finding activities and to expand active TB case finding capacity by provinces, including target population selection and use of recommended screening and diagnosis algorithms. This will also include supporting the effective roll out of the active case finding in prisons and other high TB burden areas;

4.    Support programmatic management of drug resistant tuberculosis patients and operational research for Short all-Oral Regimens for Rifampicin-resistant TB cases in close collaboration with NTC, WHO HQ and participated central hospital;

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Output/s

Output 1: Technical support to monitor and evaluate specific recommendations from joint programme review of TB/HIV response under the new national strategic plan for TB and HIV.

Deliverable 1.1: Support TB and CHAS programmes to strengthen quality of primary health care (PHC) at health centres for early detection, referral and care of TB and HIV patients.

Deliverable 1.2: Strengthen case finding for TB and HIV, targeting key and high-risk groups through roll out and implementation of the active case finding in prisons and high TB burden areas through development of the systematic TB/HIV screening guidelines.

Deliverable 1.3: Strengthen prevention of TB and HIV, including among high-risk and vulnerable populations.

Output 2: Technical support to ensure quality in the information systems, use data for action, ensuring monitoring and supportive supervision for programme planning and quality services.

Deliverable 2.1: Supporting the National programmes to improve quality of DHIS2 and ensuring timely data entry into DHIS2, through recording and reporting system design, quality monitoring indicators, supportive supervision, and refresher training.

Deliverable 2.2:  Accelerating the move of TB and HIV programs information systems towards real time case-based information systems within HMIS DHIS2.

Output 3: Technical support to strengthen linkages to care and treatment of drug-resistant TB and HIV through active referral and decentralization.

Deliverable 3.1: Review and consider the feasibility of more decentralized and patient centred models of care for treatment of drug-resistant TB, providing adherence and quality of care can be ensured

Deliverable 3.2: Review, revise and roll out the protocols and procedures for expanding the GeneXpert testing activities including optimization of specimen transportation, early TB diagnosis with drug resistance status, HIV Viral Load testing, and Covid19 testing.

Deliverable 3.3: Support the operational research for Short all-Oral Regimens for Rifampicin-resistant TB cases in close collaboration with NTC, WHO HQ and participating central and provincial hospitals.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:   University degree in medicine, health sciences, public health or related field from a recognized university.  In the addition, postgraduate studies in public health or in management is needed

EXPERIENCE

Essential: Minimum 10 years’ experience in public health management, communicable disease control including Tuberculosis, preferably in Asia.

Desirable: Working experience with the WHO, with government such as the national TB program, and with Global Fund grant structures. Working experience in Lao PDR would be desirable. 

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Technical expertise in the management of a public health programme with experience of designing and implementing TB related activities.
• • Extensive knowledge of TB case management and the interpretation of TB epidemiology in a public health context.
• • Skills in writing proposal, planning, training, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions, and in the development of locally adapted tools and instruments.
• • Proven successful experience of leading GFTAM grant development and management.
• • Proficiency in standard MS Office applications.
• • Ability to interact with health professionals at various levels and to do work with national counterparts, nongovernmental organizations and international agencies

LANGUAGES

Essential: Proficient English (speaking, reading and writing) is essential.

COMPETENCIES

• • Producing results.
• • Fostering integration and teamwork
• • Communicating in a credible effective way.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Individual applicants only.

Duration of contract is for 10.5 months (1 February 2022 - 20 Dec 2022)

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 29 October 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. 147995 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.