Individual Consultant: Leprosy

Job Description

Objective of the Programme

WHO is the specialized agency of the United Nations with the objectives to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. The Communicable Diseases Surveillance (CDS) Programme of WHO seeks to address the pledge of leaving no one behind in the programmatic areas to achieve the national health goals by providing needs-based technical assistance in national level policy formulation, setting norms and standards, improving knowledge dissemination, monitoring country health situation and building sustainable institutional capacity, to play a greater leadership role in different national technical forums as well as contribute to regional and global public health platforms in the area of communicable diseases such as HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Neglected Tropical Diseases (Kala-azar, Lymphatic Filariasis, Leprosy, Soil transmitted helminthiasis, Rabies Snake bite, Dengue and Chikungunya among others.) Viral Hepatitis, Cholera, and other vector and food borne diseases. The WHO CDS unit provides normative expertise, especially in the realms of prevention, treatment, care, research, training, and epidemiology, to strengthen national capacity and assist building innovative frameworks for public health action against these diseases and also to support to achieve sustainable development goals. The CDS unit also collaborates with other WHO units and national programs such as health systems, NCDs, Maternal and Child Health Programs and WHE and supports activities within the WHO teams and the Cox’s Bazar Sub-Office. The CDS works closely with the Government, national programs, and supports and leads efforts to inform national decision-making during outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics such as Covid-19 among others. CDS unit of WHO closely working with National Leprosy (NLP) program. National Leprosy Program (NLP) is leading its efforts to accelerate to stop leprosy transmission throughout the country. Bangladesh has made an impressive achievement during the last five years. The vision of NLP is leprosy free Bangladesh by 2030.

Description of Duties

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Medical Officer-CDS and direct supervision of National Professional Officer-NTD the incumbent will have to perform the activities for WHO CDS unit, Bangladesh as described below:

• To provide technical support for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with a special focus on National Leprosy programme, assist in developing / updating strategic guidelines; training manuals; and M & E tools.
• To assist national Leprosy program to increase access to diagnosis and treatment of cases and promote affordable means of prevention of leprosy.
• To establish coordination and partnership with NGOs and private sector stakeholders at national and sub-national levels.
• To support implementation of activities mentioned in the National Strategic Plan and also support the national program to implement new initiatives to reduce the disease burden and cut disease transmissions and achieve the goal related to zero Leprosy Initiative by 2030
• To provide technical assistance for conducting training, improving disease and monitoring and evaluation.
• To provide technical support to introduce integrated skin NTD approach in relation with leprosy program
• To provide support introduction of case base registration of leprosy cases through DHIS2 and to strengthen monitoring system under DHIS2; and analysis the data to use to enhance program performance.
• To provide support to draft progress report, donor report and any kind of report necessary by the program
• To provide technical assistance to develop advocacy material in appropriate socio-cultural context of the target audience and the population at risk; and
• To perform any other relevant tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: MBBS from a recognized Medical College with valid Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council registration or similar degree and Postgraduate / Master’s degree in relevant field.

Desirable: Training on communicable diseases specially on Leprosy.

Experience:

Essential: At least 5 years of experience in public health field.

Desirable: Working experience on communicable disease with the government program and/or WHO/UN agencies and/or NGOs.

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• Technical expertise and skills in communicable disease surveillance, Skills in communication and facilitating coordination
• Strong technical, analytical, and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to assess, analyze, synthesize, and provide recommendations on key technical issues. Ability to integrate managerial and technical inputs into recommendations for decision-making processes; ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment.
• Excellent database management and reporting skills; strong writing skills and ability to collect, analyze and interpret information. Knowledge and skills in providing technical support for the development of strategic plan and guideline. Experience with development of policy/strategy/guideline formulation and knowledge of Bangladesh’s health system
• Strong professional oral and writing skills. Thorough knowledge of implementation and management of country wide health related WHO-GoB collaborative programme. Demonstrated ability to work in harmony with national/international staff/expert. Excellent writing skills including ability to present technical information, ability to produce results.
• Good knowledge of WHO/UN/Government/NGO administrative and financial rules, processes, and procedures.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing Results
• Knowing and managing yourself

Languages:

Excellent writing/reporting and editing skills, communication, and presentation skills (in English and Bengali).

Computer Literacy:

Excellent knowledge of MS office applications and computer skills, including the ability to make high-quality technical presentations and data analysis

Closing Date: Jun 14, 2022