Purpose of the Consultancy
To provide project management support for the Japan-Solomon Islands Malaria Reduction Project. Through engagement with the key stakeholders of WHO Country Office, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Guadalcanal Provincial Health, and Honiara City Council Health Divisions, the Consultant will ensure financial accountability through the adherence to WHO fiduciary and financial processes to manage donor grant funding and implementation of activities to deliver the key objective, to reduce the malaria burden by 25% in the project areas of Marara, Grove, and Honiara City Health Zones.ย
The consultant will provide interface between WHO CO and the key stakeholders, utilising WHO management and administrative systems to deliver, monitor and report on activities and results. ย A final report will provided by consultant to Government of Japan, WHO and MHMS on the project deliverables, outcomes and recommendations.
Background
Since 2015, the National Malaria incidence has increased from 30 to 167 cases per 1000 in 2023. Despite achieving universal coverage of mosquito net availability through three yearly mass distribution campaigns, Solomon Islands now has the highest malaria incidence in the Western Pacific Region resulting in increasing deaths (19 in 2023). WHO has secured a grant from the Government of Japan through 12-month emergency grant to urgently address the rising malaria incidence. The Project, which areas represented 35% of the national malaria burden, has been designed for maximum impact utilising a range of WHO recommended strategies, to reduce the incidence of both P.falciparum and P.vivax malaria. Specific strategies include;
Introducing real time facility based digital reporting with geo-synchronised case locations to target interventions,
Re-introducing targeted Indoor Residual spraying to high burden clusters,
Improved vivax case managed to reduce relapsing cases through expanded G6PD testing and primaquine treatment,
Strengthen community engagement to improve access to, diagnosis and treatment,
Operational research to develop local evidence to guide future national strategy.
WHO County Office through the Consultant will coordinate and manage the activities, which will be implemented by the Guadalcanal and Honiara City Council Health Divisions, the MHMS National Vector Board Disease Control Program, and the Solmon Islands National University. The Project will complement other malaria program activities funded through the Ministry and other donors such as The Global Fund.
Deliverablesย
Output 1: Develop and introduce real time digital GIS based malaria case reporting for the purpose of targeting timely and effective malaria reduction strategies ย
Deliverable 1.1: Assess current reporting data capture process and identify required formatting for digital migration
Deliverable 1.2: Evaluate digital the systems introduction with a view for phased scale up
Deliverable 1.3: Work with HIS team to monitor data quality assurance and develop required mitigation strategies.
Deliverable 1.4: Work with national and provincial malaria program staff to undertake epidemiological data analysis to develop local targeted malaria reduction strategies.
Output 2: Introduce targeted vector control with a focus on Indoor Residual Spraying.
Deliverable 2.1: Assess staff capacity of project area Malaria Program teams and coordinate training and staffing complement as required within project budget.ย
Deliverable 2.2: Identify and arrange procurement of WHO approved insecticides ensuring adherence of safe storage, use and disposal practices.
Deliverable 2.3: In collaboration and coordination with partners, ensure appropriate community engagement and communication strategies are implemented to ensure community acceptability and participation.
Output 3: Introduce improved Vivax Malaria case management with the expansion of G6PD testing and introduction of optimal dose Primaquine treatment to prevent relapse.
Deliverable 3.1: Assess current national regulatory requirements for the revision of Primaquine dosing through the National Medicines and Therapeutics Committee.
Deliverable 3.2: In collaboration with the Malaria Program Director, assist in preparation of P. vivax treatment guidelines, in particular the revised Primaquine dosing, recommended in current WHO Malaria Guidelines, 30 Nov 2024.
Deliverable 3.3: Develop Terms of Reference, , and monitor the role out and monitoring of G6PD Testing and revised Primaquine regime within the Project area.
Deliverable 3.4: Develop a communication and training strategy for all level of health workers, within the Project area on the revised treatment guidelines.
Deliverable 3.5: Coordinate and align with Malaria Program Partners, including World Vision, ensuring community engagement, behaviour change communication, and treatment partners program are integrated into the improved p. vivax case management.ย
Deliverable 3.6: Review current G6PD testing Data Quality Assurance and develop strategies for improvement, ensuring quality testing is available to all confirmed P. vivax cases
Deliverable 3.7: Develop a phased roll out strategy for the National Program to take the new treatment guidelines to scale.
Output 4: Ensure adequate and quality supplementary malaria diagnostic and treatment commodities are available for the project area
Deliverable 4.1: Undertake current stock assessment and quantification forecasting in collaboration with National and Provincial Malaria Managers and National Medical Store.
Deliverable 4.2: Within grant budget, procure supplementary commodities to ensure stockouts are prevented.
Deliverable 4.3: Ensure relevant onsite training in stock management is undertaken to facility health workers and managers to ensure a regular and accurate ordering and supply.
Output 5: With the endorsement from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, establish a demonstration project to address community barriers for ready access to malaria diagnosis and treatment through the introduction of community-based interventions
Deliverable 5.1: Through collaboration with MHMS and Community Based Organisations, identify high malaria burdened, disadvantaged communities whether by distance, transportation, financial burden, or social barriers, with restricted access to diagnosis and treatment.
Deliverable 5.2: Undertake literature and case study reviews, identifying models for a โproof of conceptโ to improved access to diagnosis and treatment that could be transferable to a range of Solomon Island contexts.
Deliverable 5.3: Identify and address regulatory requirement, including any research or study ethics approvals, in the development of a model of community-based diagnosis and treatment within the Project area including approved protocols, training packages, reporting, supervisory and monitoring tools.
Deliverable 5.4: In collaboration with Malaria Program and Partners, develop and community engagement and communication package to assess community acceptance to the project.
Deliverable 5.5: Prepare a report for MHMS Executive based on key demonstration project indicators and recommendations.
Output 6: In collaboration with Solomon Islands National University and University of Kyoto, ensure the outcomes of the Project to provide an evidence base to support future National Malaria Program strategic planning.
Deliverable 6.1: Identify operational research opportunities in the areas of targeted vector control, vivax case management, or community access to diagnosis and treatment with partnered universities.
Deliverable 6.2: Endorse the research questions appropriate methodology to meet the needs of guiding future Program strategy.
Deliverable 6.3: Provide technical inputs in the development of a project contractual agreement between WHO, Ministry of Health and Medical Services and Solomon Islands National University to deliver at least two peer reviewed papers for publication, ensuring necessary ethical approval is granted by appropriate authorities.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
Essential: Doctor of medicine or postgraduate in degree in Public Health with specific focus on Tropical Medicine and Malaria. ย
Experience
Essential: Over 10 years-experience in the management of donor funded public health program management in development country context with a preference in Pacific Islands Countries.
5 years-experience in malaria clinical case management, vector control management and malaria surveillance systems at national and international level.
Experience in malaria field research techniques and methodologies in either drug quality or vector control studies
Skills / knowledge
Proficiency in contemporary WHO Malaria Guidelines
Knowledge of Solomon Islands health systems, current malaria control strategies, and historic and contemporary epidemiological trends.
Language and level required
Expert knowledge of English (Read/Write/Speak)
Location
Off site: Home-basedย
Travelย
The consultant is not expected to travel.
Remuneration and budget
Remuneration: Payband C, USD 11 000 - USD 12 000 (monthly)
Expected duration of contract: 10 months, May 2025 to 28 February 2026ย
Additional Information
This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. A written test may be used as a form of screening. If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/ diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.ย For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversityequity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
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