Consultant - Social and clinical epidemiology of tuberculosis

Purpose of consultancy

To deliver key products to assist countries to implement policies on social protection of tuberculosis and management of lung co-morbidities.

Background

The Global TB Programme aims to advance universal access to TB prevention and care and to end the TB epidemic, eventually. Specifically, it (1) provides global leadership on TB prevention and care through the WHO End TB Strategy; (2) develop evidence-based policies, strategies and standards for TB prevention and care, and monitor their implementation; (3) jointly with six WHO regional and country offices, provide technical support to Member States, catalyse change, and build sustainable capacity; (4) monitor the global TB situation, and measure progress in TB care and financing; (5) shape the TB research agenda and stimulate the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge; and (6) facilitate and engage in partnerships for TB action. The 2020 UN Secretary-General progress report includes priority recommendations to accelerate the TB response and reach targets through ensuring “social protection measures including essential benefit packages and subsidization schemes are fit-for-purpose, so that no one affected by TB faces catastrophic costs”. Furthermore, the political declaration of the 2023 United Nations High Level Meeting on TB (UNHLM) includes a pledge by member states to social benefits to all people with tuberculosis. In this context, social protection is a key component of the WHO End TB strategy for which there is need for WHO to provide member states with key products to to enable implementation of the policy.

Deliverables

• Develop an advanced training module on social protection for people affected by TB by Q2 2024.
• Develop TORs for WHO’s Working Group on TB social protection by Q1 2024.
• Ensure that three countries have a TB social protection plan resulting from the social protection baseline assessment completed during 2023 through Global Fund support and agreed with the relevant regional offices by Q1 2024.
• Conduct six webinars, each for the WHO regional offices, to promote the dissemination and uptake of the social protection guidance across country offices and NTPs by Q1 2024.
• Conduct one webinar involving social protection institutions and organisations (such as ILO, WFP, UNDP) to promote the dissemination and uptake of the WHO’s social protection guidance by Q1 2024.
• Conduct a systematic review on models of multisectoral collaboration across the health and social protection sector by Q2 2024.
• Develop a draft of the TB-associated pulmonary disability guidelines by Q3 2024.
• Develop a protocol for operational research on the management of pulmonary co-morbidities contributing to TB-associated impairment and disability by Q3 2024.
• Present a Webinar on TB and climate change with key stakeholders by Q4 2024.
• Develop a Policy brief on TB and climate change by Q4 2024.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in health, social or policy sciences in health, or other relevant field.

Desirable:

• Advanced training in quantitative research methods.

Experience

Essential:

• Over 10 years relevant experience in public health and social science health-related research and/or implementation projects (ideally on TB and/or HIV) at international level.

Desirable:

• Previous collaborative work at global level with WHO or other UN agencies, or relevant multilateral or bilateral organizations.
• First-hand experience of working with TB high burden countries in WHO regions.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Knowledge of WHO mandate and strategies, including the GRADE methodology adopted by WHO to develop guidelines; sound knowledge of WHO policies and guidelines on TB, especially the components of pillar two of the End TB strategy.
• Knowledge of global policies on social protection and disability.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills demonstrated in at least three publications in top peer-reviewed journals in health and/or social sciences,
• Good project management skills, organizational and coordination skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, networking and diplomacy skills.
• Ability to work as a team member, and sensitivity to working in a multi-cultural environment.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level C - USD 10,000 - 12,500 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

9 months.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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