Consultant: Drug Epidemiological Expert for DAMOS Project under CADAP IV

Job Description

Location : Bishkek, KYRGYZSTAN Application Deadline : 30-Jan-08 Additional Category : Crisis Prevention and Recovery Type of Contract : SSA Languages Required : English Starting Date : (date when the selected canditate is expected to start) 25-Jan-2008 Duration of Initial Contract : 31 December 2008, up to 107 working days Expected Duration of Assignment : December 2008

Background

Following accession to independence, the five former Soviet Republics of Central Asia faced the problem of new borders and the responsibility of protecting these borders. This responsibility included both the existing borders with China, Afghanistan and Iran, which had been inherited from the Former Soviet Union, and the newly established borders between the countries of Central Asia. The challenge of new frontiers not only requires that an entire infrastructure may have to be established, but more importantly, that the perception and behaviour of the people involved in servicing these borders has to be changed to adjust to the rapidly-changing environment in the contemporary world in general, and in the region in particular.

Improved capacities are especially important in this region due to the rise in cross-border crime and drug trafficking, arms trafficking and trafficking in human beings. Important issues have been raised regarding clandestine immigration, money laundering, terrorism, and other security issues. This, in combination with the whole spectrum of other socio-economic and political challenges faced by the Central Asian republics, both internally and externally, makes the maintenance of peace and security in the region a crucial responsibility for these countries. The support of the international community is therefore particularly important.

To address the challenges mentioned above and to support the development of a harmonized and coordinated border management capacity at the regional level, thereby improving cross-border co-operation and facilitating the flow of persons and goods between the Central Asian countries, the European Union decided to launch the Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA) and the Central Asian Drug Action Programme (CADAP). UNDP has been contracted by the EC to implement both Programmes.

CADAP Programme (Phase 4): DAMOS Project

The objective of the DAMOS Project is to gradually develop in each country of Central Asia a drug epidemiology capacity that is coherent with EMCDDA guidelines. The project will continue ongoing support to the network of focal points and the collection and analysis data on drug abuse. It will establish the basis for an early-warning system based on experienced and good practices developed in the EU. The project will start implementing so-called “core indicator” on drug crime, involving more law enforcement in the system of data collection and encouraging thereby multi-agency cooperation. Moreover the project will develop an additional health indicator (this additional health indicator will be specific to the requirements and data collection situation in each country). The project will develop measures to ensure the institutionalisation of the focal points within Ministry of Health or within coordinating, inter-ministerial governmental bodies, if possible within the department possessing significant expertise in epidemiology and public health – and criminological analytical approach. It is anticipated that EMCDDA involvement in the project will be further reinforced via its participation to the organisation of training, field visits and advocacy. Specific focus of the project will be given on drug prevention among young persons. The project will closely coordinate with the Information Services on Substance Abuse Project.

Following on from a previous project of DAMOS under CADAP Programme (Phase 2), the new DAMOS Project will:

• Elaborate jointly with each country national authorities and CADAP country managers a plan of action adjusted to country specifics that should include expected outputs of the project provided by on national and CA levels;
• Organise in each country trainings to national focal points and information resources persons on early warning systems, “drug crime indicator” and new health indicator as well as organisation of field visit in one EU country jointly with EMCDDA involving the country senior epidemiologists;
• Provide small equipment for the reinforcement of the National Focal Points within Ministry of Health (or inter-ministerial bodies as stated above) and the setting up of the early warning systems;
• Provide technical assistance to each five CA governments in terms of rules and regulation for the gradual institutionalisation of the focal points;
• Provide recommendation on drug policy, with a specific focus on combating drug trafficking and drug abuse by young persons;
• Continue providing ongoing support to the Focal Points for the analysis of drug data and the elaboration of the National Drug Reports.

The Project covers the five Central Asian countries and aims at progressively achieving harmonization of key drug indicators. Implementation of the Project will be delegated to each CADAP Country Team, under the line management of the CADAP Deputy Regional Programme Manager based in the Bishkek Programme Management Office (PMO), and overall supervision of the Project Leader.

Duties and Responsibilities

The International Epidemiology Expert will work under the direct supervision of the Project Leader. The International Epidemiology Expert will supervise two Regional Senior Epidemiologists. The International Epidemiology Expert will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide regular onsite and online support for the development of the capacity of the 5 National Drug Focal Points and their national counterparts.
• Assist the regional epidemiology experts in the preparation of a plan of action for each country that should include expected outputs pf the project.
• Provide 2 three day workshops in each Central Asia country on a ‘specific’ international key indicator.
• Provide onsite and online support to the National Focal Points in the writing of each national Annual Drug Report to international standards in 2007 and 2008.
• To conduct a regional drug information seminar on international drug epidemiology and the management of the National Focal Points.
• To organise and participate in a study tour at an EU NFP covering epidemiology guidelines, information map, data management and preparation of national report for two members of each Central Asia National Focal Point to an EU National Focal Point.
• To supervise the work of the Regional Senior Epidemiologists and be responsible for the collection and commenting on of quarterly monitoring reports from the Regional and National epidemiologists.
• To provide the project Leader with a summary of the quarterly monitoring forms.
• To liaise on a regular basis with the project leader, the regional and national epidemiologists on the development and implementation of the project.
• To provide a comprehensive project summary on the implementation and activities at the end of the project.
• To provide EU visibility at every stage of implementation of the project.

Expected results:

• Regular onsite and online support provided for the development of the 5 National Focal Points
• 5 plans of action adjusted to country specifics that include expected outputs of the project.
• Training in each of the 5 Central Asia countries provided. The development and implementation of a new international key epidemiological indicator in each of the 5 Central Asia countries.
• The publication of an Annual Report on Drugs in 2007 and also in 2008 for each of the 5 Central Asia countries.
• A regional seminar on the drug information systems conducted.
• A study tour for two members of each of the 5 Central Asia countries held in an appropriate EU country/ies.
• Quarterly monitoring reports provided on the development and implementation of the project.
• Equipment provided to the National Focal Points on Drugs and constituents of the National Drug Information network
• EU visibility maintained.

Competencies

• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Well developed communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to establish and build sound working relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

• Post graduate education in the field of drug epidemiology;
• More than 10 years of relevant experience/practical experience in the sphere of drug epidemiology;
• Experience working in CIS or Eastern Europe;
• Fluency in English is required (knowledge of Russian is highly desirable).