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Qualifications
Area of Expertise
National Consultant โ Influenza Project Coordinator
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Purpose of consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to hire a consultant to perform the role of Project Coordinator, who will perform a full range of project management, administrative, coordination, monitoring, and supervisory tasks to ensure the smooth operation and management of activities supporting and strengthening influenza surveillance in the Maldives.
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Background ย
Influenza occurs all over the world, with an annual global attack rate estimated at 5%-10% in adults and 20%-30% in children. Whereas in temperate climates outbreaks are experienced mainly during the winter season, influenza occurs more unpredictably in tropical regions (WHO, 2022). Acute Respiratory infections (ARIs) account for the highest infectious disease burden in the Maldives, with 2 outbreaks on average each year over the past few years.
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The Maldives, being a popular tourist destination and having extensive international travel among Maldivians, is in a unique position as a human 'mixing bowl' for influenza viruses. About 8,000 Maldivians travel to Saudi Arabia each year for Hajj and Umra pilgrimage. Pilgrims spend about one month on average in Saudi Arabia. Although we do not routinely collect data on illnesses during pilgrimage, there are verbal reports that the majority of pilgrims develop some form of respiratory illness during the period of stay, and most are symptomatic even on return. Pilgrims travelling for Hajj and Umra from the Maldives are required to be vaccinated for influenza.
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This consultancy aims to support routine influenza surveillance work carried out by the Health Protection Agency in collaboration with the NIC. The national disease surveillance system is in the crucial stage of digitalization of data by adopting the DHIS2 influenza and communicable disease surveillance module. The main component of this request is to build capacity and maintain human resources support to carry out surveillance activities in line with the Global influenza strategy (2019-30) in SEAR. Since 2022, through this project, the Maldives has been supported by WHO to implement influenza preparedness activities.
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Terms of Reference
- Supervision of tasks carried out by the Influenza Project Officer and Sentinel Site Surveillance Focal Point under this project and ensure that objectives are met and regularly reported to WHO and HPA supervisor
- Implementing influenza active surveillance in ADK, Hulhumale' hospital and any other medical facility where influenza surveillance is initiated.
- Serving as liaison with laboratory staff and healthcare workers for data collection.
- Responsible for the data entry, management and analysis work including the data derived from NIC PCR runs, respiratory and pneumonia panels from both IGMH and ADK hospitals.
- Timely update of data on Flu Mart platforms.
- Gathering and verifying demographic, laboratory, clinical, and exposure information on all cases of influenza and infection involving organisms under active surveillance
- Assisting in the transportation of samples from sentinel sites in Male' to NIC and vice versa.
- Facilitating timely sharing of influenza samples with the Collaborating Centers.
- Involvement in additional activities carried out by the Public Health Preparedness, Surveillance and Epidemiology (PHPSE) division.
- Assist in organizing training workshops and other activities (PHPSE) division.
- Disseminate influenza medicine to all the health facilities in Greater Male' Area and atolls as requests are received.
- Update the Influenza medicine stock aligned with dispatch.
- Meet with regular reporting requirements by PIP, CDC and WHO.
- Any additional relevant work assigned by supervisor.
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Expected Outcomes:
- Supervision of tasks carried out by the Influenza Project Officer and Sentinel Site Surveillance Focal Point under this project and ensure that objectives are met and regularly reported to WHO and HPA supervisor
- Training programs for national health workers on influenza surveillance and response, as well as Emergency Preparedness and response, conducted and supported.
- Work with HPA to implement simulation exercises to enhance preparedness and response capabilities supported.
- Support HPA and WHO in capacity-building training to enhance pandemic preparedness.
- Work with the national influenza surveillance system and the overall Maldives surveillance system of Ministry of Health, to identify areas for improvement.
- Support MoH and HPA in preparing and responding to influenza outbreaks, including data analysis and risk assessment.
- Better coordination with WHO and Ministry of Health
- Established Influenza unit with 2 staff supervised in partnership with HPA and WHO
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Deliverables
- Project Supervision: Supervision of tasks carried out by the Influenza Project Officer and Sentinel Site Surveillance Focal Point under this project, ensuring objectives are met and regularly reported to the WHO and HPA supervisor.
- Maintained Surveillance: Consistent and ongoing surveillance activities to detect and respond to influenza outbreaks.
- Pandemic Preparedness Training: Conducted/facilitated capacity-building training for pandemic preparedness, including simulation exercises implemented at 3 atolls.
- HEOC Capacity Building: Implemented Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) capacity-building training in 3 atolls.
- National Workshop: Organized and implemented the national influenza surveillance and pandemic preparedness workshop.
- POE Pandemic Preparedness Plans: Developed and organized the Point of Entry (POE) Pandemic Preparedness plans.
- Progress and Financial Reports: Submission of track progress reports and financial reports as required.
- Regular Reporting: Regular reporting to PIP, CDC, and WHO, aligned with their respective requirements.
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Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
Essential: Bachelorโs degree in Primary Health Care, Public Health, Data Management or health related field.
Desirable: Masterโs degree in Primary Health Care, Public Health, Data Management or health related field
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Experience
Essential: Minimum 2-3 years of experience working in a related field
Desirable:
- Experience working with government institutions and civil society organizations.
- Experience in Project management
- Experience in data management and reporting.
- Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Experience or expertise in working at atoll and island level in coordination with HPA and WHO.
- Experience working with WHO or other international organizations.
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Skills/Knowledge
- Fluent computer skills in MS Excel/MS Access/MS PowerPoint is a must.ย
- Skills at graphic designing will be an advantage
- Familiarity with facilitating trainings and M&E is desirable.
- Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver of time along with excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work within given time period and deliver work on time with outstanding quality.ย
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Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced):
Expert knowledge of spoken and written Dhivehi and English
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Location
On site: Health Protection Agency, Ministry of Health Maldives
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Travel
The consultant is expected to travel.ย ย Travel maybe required as per the trainings and supervision and monitoring needs of the National Influenza Programme
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Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
Remuneration: MVR 30,840 per month for 6 months duration of consultancy
Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited): n/a
Expected duration of contract: 06 months
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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.
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