Purpose of consultancy ย
The World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines is looking for an individual who will be tasked to support the WHO Philippines Country Office and the Department of Health - Disease Prevention and Control Bureauโs (DPCB) National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) in providing technical support to the National Malaria Elimination Program of the DOH-Diseases Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) in the Philippines as the short-term consultant (STC) to support the conduct of a Malaria Program Review (MPR) and update the National Malaria Elimination Strategy, 2026-2030.
Background ย
Malaria is on the verge of malaria elimination. It is no longer a major public health threat in most parts of the Philippines, with substantial progress made in reducing transmission, expanding diagnostic and treatment services, and achieving subnational elimination. More than 87% reduction in malaria cases since 2003 (49,000 cases), and 98% in related mortality. Eighty-eight percent (88%), 72 of 82 provinces declared malaria free based on the DOH AO No. 2011-0019 Guidelines in Evaluation of Low Endemic Provinces for Declaration A Malaria-Free. ย Eighty-one (81) of 82 provinces are reporting zero indigenous malaria.
Palawan is the only province out of 82 that hosts indigenous malaria transmission in only 6 municipalities (Rizal, Bataraza, Brookes Point, Quezon, Narra, Sulfrano Espaniola. As of 20 June 2025, a remarkable 79% (899 cases) reduction in malaria cases and zero deaths were reported compared to same period in 2024 in Palawan due to Government-led response in enhanced surveillance and reporting, targeted interventions, promoting partnerships and collaborations, and increased access to healthcare services (PhilHealth coverage of OPD care). The country is on track toward achieving elimination by 2030, in alignment with the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016โ2030 and Sustainable Development Goal 3.3.
Current malaria strategies included: Philippines National Strategy for Malaria Control and Elimination (2020-2022); Malaria Transition, Elimination and Sustainability Plan (MTESP) 2023-2025; and Palawan Malaria Accelerated and Sustainability Plan (2024-2026). They all provided a solid foundation for strengthening surveillance, expanding elimination efforts, and consolidating gains. However, remaining transmission in specific provincesโparticularly in remote, indigenous, and conflict-affected areasโnecessitates a recalibrated and innovative strategy to sustain momentum and achieve nationwide malaria elimination.
Despite national gains, residual malaria transmission persists in specific foci across Mindanao and Palawan. Challenges contributing to ongoing transmission include: Hard-to-reach populations and mobile/migrant groups; Limited access to healthcare and vector control in isolated communities; Climate-sensitive transmission patterns; Underreporting and delayed case detection; and Funding constraints for elimination-specific activities. To address these challenges, there is a need to develop an updated national strategy that is: Data-driven and risk-stratified; Responsive to subnational epidemiology; Integrated with broader health system and community platforms.ย
The process for updating the Philippines Malaria Elimination Strategy for 2026โ2030, will consider lessons learned, evolving challenges, and new tools for surveillance, case management, prevention of re-establishment of malaria transmission, integrated approaches, community engagement, multisectoral collaboration, sustained leadership and financing.
A short-term consultant, an individual, is needed to: Assess current malaria epidemiology, stratification, and operational gaps; Provide lead technical support and coordinate the review implementation progress, outcomes, and lessons from the 2021โ2025 strategic plan; Develop an updated strategic priorities, targets, and interventions for 2026โ2030; and Submit a comprehensive technical report of the assignment, the MPR report; and the draft National Malaria Elimination Strategy (2026-2030).
Deliverables
This work will involve the following under the direct supervision and guidance of the Team Leader, WHO Country Office Philippines, to ย and update the National Malaria Elimination Strategy, 2026-2030. The activities to be undertaken include, but are not limited to the following outputs:
Output 1: Support the conduct of a Malaria Program Review (MPR)
Deliverable 1.1: Assess current malaria epidemiology, stratification, and operational gaps including key interventions and risk factors for observed trends.
Deliverable 1.2: Conduct desktop review of relevant documents, program reports, guidelines, and literature materials including from DOH and Agencies and technical and development partners such as WHO, Global Fund, among other key stakeholders.
Deliverable 1.3: Provide lead technical support and coordinate the review implementation progress, outcomes, and lessons from the 2021โ2025 strategic plan.ย
Deliverable 1.4: Develop program review data collection tools including but not limited to questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussion guides
Deliverable 1.5: Support data collection in the field, analyze, summarize key findings and recommendations, and provide feedback including during consultations and workshops.
Output 2: Develop an updated strategic priorities, targets, and interventions for 2026โ2030
Deliverable 2.1: Facilitate discussion and obtain consensus during consultations.ย
Deliverable 2.2: Serve as lead writer, develop draft National Malaria Elimination Strategy (2026-2030), seek and collate input from consultations with DOH, WHO, development partners and key stakeholders: strengthening alignment with WHO recommendations, regional frameworks, and the Universal Health Care (UHC) law; and ensuring multisectoral and community-level engagement in the strategy development process.
Deliverable 2.3: Produce and submit a comprehensive technical report of the assignment, a final MPR report; and a final publishable version of the National Malaria Elimination Strategy (2026-2030) adhering to specified formatting and quality standards.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications: ย
Essential: University degree in public health, epidemiology, or other related fields.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in public health, epidemiology, or other related fields.
Experience ย
Essential: At least ten (10) years of experience in public health, surveillance and response, and project management.
Experience with both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, scenario planning and policy development.
Demonstrated skills in conducting program reviews, performance evaluation, integrated malaria management, malaria elimination in the Philippines and/or elsewhere.
Desirable: At least ten (10) years of experience in malaria or infectious diseases program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation with or for government health agencies in a multistakeholder environment like in the Philippines. Has led or played significant role in at least three (3) similar/related consultancies. Work experience with the WHO or other UN agencies.
Skills/Knowledge:
Excellent organizational, communication, writing and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge in public health and epidemiology
Knowledge of project planning and implementation.
Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
Languages and level required :
Essential: Expert knowledge of both written and spoken English and Filipino
Location
On site: Manila, Philippines
Travel
The consultant is expected to travel locally. ย
Remuneration and budget :
Remuneration: ย Php 220,000.00 / monthly
Expected duration of contract: 4 months, September 2025 to January 2026
Additional Information:
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โข ย ย ย ย A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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