UNDP Recruitment

CONSULTANT TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF MDR TB NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR PROGRAMMATIC MANAGEMENT OF MDR-TB
Location :	Sarajevo, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Application Deadline :	04-Mar-13
Additional Category	Millennium Development Goals
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	International Consultant
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)	15-Mar-2013
Expected Duration of Assignment :	One and a half month (15 Mar - 30 Apr 2013)
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Background
UNDP acts as Primary Recipient of the project “Strengthening of DOTS Strategy and Improving National Tuberculosis Programme, Including Multidrug Resistant and Infection Control, in Bosnia and Herzegovina”. This project is aligned with general objectives of strengthening the governance and co-ordination of health systems in BIH, and in support to systems’ orientation and focus towards ongoing primary health care/family medicine development and reform efforts in BIH. Implementation of this project will contribute to improvement of access and efficiency of respiratory health care services in Primary Health Care settings in BIH through implementation of Practical Approach to Lung Health (PAL) strategy (as a pilot project), strengthening and extending the DOTS+ pilot project of MDR-TB case management as well as ensuring and maintaining access to TB program for vulnerable groups with special attention to Roma and other vulnerable populations. UNDP within the project Strengthening of DOTS Strategy and Improving National Tuberculosis Programme, Including Multidrug Resistant and Infection Control, in Bosnia and Herzegovina is seeking to recruit a consultant to support review of existing practices related to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment and develop national guidelines for programmatic management of MDR, giving the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina established the QA/QC in TB laboratories and from the beginning 2010, procures second line drugs (SLDs) through Green Light Committee. To that end, the consultant will be tasked to assess the structure and capacities of the existing MDR and DR treatment, develop proposals of next order for second-line drugs in line with recommended treatment practice, current stock and number of DR/MDR patients. The consultant will be responsible for review of treatment schemes which will consider relevant international requirements and recommendations, as well as reflect existing practices related to tuberculoses management. Consultant should draft strategy on prevention of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis for BiH. During preparation, consultant should take into consideration existing legal, structural and organizational contexts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, updated National Tuberculosis Programmes,  consult and work in close collaboration with National TB coordinators and all relevant stakeholders. It is expected close coordination and communication with UNDP BiH TB project team. UNDP BiH continues to provide support to the health system in Bosnia and Herzegovina in strengthening DOTS strategy, improving NTPs and including multidrug resistance and infection control. With his/her professional experience the consultant will review existing management/practices related to MDR and DR treatment.  The successful completion of the task should result with a) developed national guidelines for programmatic management of MDR-TB, b) detailed multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (“MDR-TB”) expansion plan (including the number of DR/MDR-TB patients to be treated including the list and quantifications of the medicines to be procured for the MDR-TB program reflecting the finalized forecast for the period 2013-2015, c) strategy on prevention of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis for BiH. All abovementioned have to be developed in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders with aim to enable them to timely launch next order for second line drugs. It is expected that consultant will perform desk review without visits to BiH. Consultant is responsible for contacts with National Tuberculoses Coordinators and other relevant stakeholders.
Duties and Responsibilities
Review of existing practices related to MDR treatment, including current guidelines and available documents related to this topic. Review of previous SLDs procurement practices, including lists, quantification and number of patients Regular contacts with National Tuberculoses Coordinators and TB project team, Development of national guidelines for programmatic management of MDR in BiH. Development of detailed multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (“MDR-TB”) expansion plan (including the number of DR/MDR-TB patients to be treated and the list and quantifications of the medicines to be procured for the MDR-TB program reflecting the finalized forecast for the period 2013-2015 Development of strategy on prevention of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis for BiH. Deliverables Developed national guidelines for programmatic management of MDR in BiH in line with the most recent international recommendations (End of March 2013) Developed detailed multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (“MDR-TB”) expansion plan (including the number of MDR-TB patients to be treated including the list and quantifications of the medicines to be procured for the MDR-TB program reflecting the finalized forecast for the period 2013-2015 (Mid of April 2013) Strategy on prevention of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis for BiH (End of April  2013).
Competencies
Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Plans, prioritizes and delivers tasks on time; Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually; Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others; Generates ideas and seizes opportunities to support corporate strategic objectives. People Skills: Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others; Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent and credible behavior; Respects individual/cultural differences; utilizes diversity to foster teamwork; Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process. Partnering and Networking: Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies; Ability to work as a member of a team as well as work autonomously. Results-Orientation: Plans and procedures quality results to meet established goals; Communication: Technical writing skills, formulates written information clearly and persuasively; Strong communication skills; Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences; Presents information in a clear and articulate manner. Job Knowledge and Expertise: Strong analytical skills; Expertise in treatment of multi resistant tuberculoses and development of Green Light Committee Applications; Knowledge on Gender sensitive analyses; Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements; Executes day-to-day tasks systematically and efficiently; Initiative and sound judgment.
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Advanced Medical degree, specialization in Pneumophtysiology. Relevant postgraduate degree (e.g. health statistics, health management, epidemiology, public health, health services research). Experience: At least 10 years of experience in Tuberculosis related topics and 10 years of experience related to treatment of multi resistant tuberculosis; Experience in developing Green Light Committee Applications, proven experience in development of National guidelines and strategies on MDR TB, assessments and analysis in the area of tuberculosis and lung disease; References and publications on topics relevant for consultant's tasks would be considered as an additional asset. Previous international experience in tuberculosis segments and document reviews, particularly related to treatment of multi drug resistant tuberculosis; Previous experience working in BiH and knowledge of national health system structure. Language Requirements: Proficiency in English language, Local language will be considered as advantage. Award Criteria: The award will be based on the highest qualified candidate; meaning the candidate obtaining the highest score. Applicants are required to submit an application including: Letter of interest/ Proposal; Brief narration on why do you consider yourself the most suitable for this consultancy; Brief methodology, on how you plan to approach and conduct the envisaged work; UNDP Personal History Form (downloadable from http://www.undp.ba/index.aspx?PID=16); Financial proposal indicating your consultancy fee as a lump sum. All above mentioned documents should be submitted only online as one attachment. Note: For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 62 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy. Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process. FC: 30078
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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