Short-term International Consultant – Human Rabies Vaccines

Terms of Reference

This consultancy is requested by:

Unit:	Integrated Communicable Diseases (ICD)
Division:	DDC

A.Purpose of the Consultancy

Under the supervision and guidance of the technical lead of Neglected Tropical Diseases and the Coordinator of the Integrated Communicable Diseases (ICD) unit of the Division of Disease Control (DDC), in collaboration with the Health Ministries in the Western Pacific Region, WHO country offices NTD focal persons, and HQ/NTD Department, the consultant will support the collection and reporting of data and information on neglected Zoonotic Diseases (including Rabies), introduction of rabies vaccines and supply of donated health commodities (vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics), and provide operational and technical support to accelerate control and elimination of rabies through integrated, specialized, and PHC-based approaches in line with the one health approaches in the Western Pacific Region. This requires strengthening regular supply of human rabies vaccines to the most vulnerable and unreached populations at risk of rabies.

B.Background

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of disease conditions that are most common in tropical and subtropical regions. These diseases most heavily affect people living without access to adequate sanitation, basic infrastructure, and health services. In addition to significant morbidity and mortality, these diseases can lead to stigma and discrimination in communities. WHO prioritizes 20 diseases affecting more than 1 billion people in 149 countries as NTDs. Of these, 16 are endemic in 22 countries and areas in the WHO Western Pacific Region. One of these endemic NTDs is Rabies which, if not prevented through effective human rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins, is 100% fatal. Fortunately, deaths from rabies are 100% preventable with effective access to Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) , which includes human rabies vaccines.

WHO has issued new guidelines for human rabies vaccines to support countries to ensure the availability of these vaccines to those at risk of rabies (mostly children and the most vulnerable and hard to reach areas). Six countries in the Western Pacific Region are Rabies endemic. These countries include Mongolia, China, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and the Philippines. Key priorities to eliminate Rabies include adequate access to Post-Exposure Prophylaxis against Rabies, Canine Rabies Vaccination, Integrated Bite Case Management, multisectoral action, cross-border collaboration Rapid response and community mobilization.

Through this consultancy, the rabies endemic countries in the Western Pacific Region will receive support in having access to GAVI Funding in case of those countries which are eligible for GAVI support. In addition, the endemic countries will receive support on the new WHO guidelines for rabies vaccination to strengthen the availability of human rabies vaccination and strengthening the supply chain (including cold chain) systems for human rabies vaccination alongside efforts to strengthen the underlying health systems.

C.Timelines

Start date:01 Sep 2024

End date: 31 Dec 2024

Total working months/days: 4 months

D.Work to be performed.

1)Provide technical support to development of national policies, guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and tools in to enhance use of human rabies vaccine through primary healthcare with a focus on strengthening the three core elements of Primary Health Care (i.e., Integrated Primary Healthcare Services, Community and People Empowerment, and Multisectoral Actions) which are essential for the control and elimination and control of Neglected Zoonotic Diseases (including Rabies).

2)Support National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG) to provide technical guidance and support to countries on rabies introduction into routine immunization to reach unreached and underserved people.

3)Provide guidance and technical support to countries to promote communities’ awareness and risk communication activities including risk communication and engagement with animal health sectors for the elimination of rabies.

4)Support eligible countries in the region for completion of GAVI funding applications to enable access to resources for strengthening access to rabies vaccines.

5)Besides supporting countries on rabies risk assessment, support the prioritization and implementation of operational research on rabies and strengthening the use of evidence generated to avert human deaths from rabies through availability of quality human rabies vaccines.

E.Method(s) to carry out the activity

Communication with relevant CO/national focal points, partners and other relevant units, facilitation of meetings with WHO Country Offices, Ministries of Health, and the relevant partners; review of the literature (including grey literature); data management, analysis, and document development.

F.Deliverables

·Deliverable 1.1: A situation assessment on PEP (Human Rabies Vaccines) done – expected by 30 Dec 2024.

·Deliverable 1.2: WPRO technical advisories, Guidelines, and tools (as required) for the introduction, availability, and access to human rabies vaccines developed and in place for use by the relevant member states – expected by 30 Nov 2024.

·Deliverable 1.3: Cambodia and Lao PDR supported with GAVI funding applications and access to resources to strengthen availability of human rabies vaccines.

·Deliverable 1.4: Vietnam, Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Cambodia received technical, funding, and operational support to enhance access to rabies PEP – ongoing until the end of the consultancy period.

·Deliverable 1.5: National and subnational NTD data collected for programme monitoring and the regional dashboard upgrade/update, a regional surveillance analysis on rabies conducted, and a draft manuscript written for publication in the Western Pacific Surveillance and Response (WPSAR) Journal – expected by the end of the consultancy period.

G.Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

Responsible Officer:

Dr Kazim Hizbullah Sanikullah, Technical Officer NTD Team Lead, ICD/DDC

Email:

sanikullahh@who.int

H.Specific requirements

Educational Qualifications

Essential:

·Relevant first university degree from a recognized university in science, medicines or nursing.

·Master’s degree in public health, tropical diseases, epidemiology or related field is preferable.

Experience required:

·Essential:A minimum of 5 years relevant experience working with the health ministries on Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and Human Vaccination, control and elimination of at least one of rabies, communicable diseases, vaccine preventable diseases, or health systems in developing countries in the Western Pacific Region.

·Desirable: Experience in writing GAVI proposals, vaccines and implementation of health projects in remote and hard-to-reach settings will be an asset.

Skills/Knowledge

·Essential:

oProven knowledge and skills (including data and research skills) in immunization/vaccines and communicable diseases.

oProficiency in word and excel.

·Desirable: Knowledge and skills in statistical software and health products will be an asset.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English

I.Competencies

·Teamwork

·Communicating in a credible and effective way

·Producing Result

·Knowing and Managing Yourself

J.Place of assignment

Manila, Philippines

On site: Western Pacific Regional Office

K.Medical clearance

The selected consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

L.Travel

Cambodia – 16-18 Nov 2024

Lao PDR – 30 Sep 2024

The work might also require occasional travel to countries in the Region, according to priority as follows:

1) Viet Nam and 2) the Philippines.

The travel will support the NTD/ICD Team in coordinating NTD Programs and participating in the integrated country missions at the primary health care level for reaching the unreached population.

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed