Position/Title: TB and HIV Technical Expert
Duty Station: Bentiu, South Sudan
Classification: Consultancy
****General Functions:****
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission for South Sudan and direct supervision of the Migration Health Coordinator in Juba, the successful candidate will be responsible to assess and develop a strategy for integrating TB and HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and support into on-going primary health care programmes in Bentiu UNMISS Protection of Civilian Area in order to reduce excess mortality and morbidity attributed to these diseases for more than 49,000 vulnerable IDPs in Bentiu.
The consultant will be posted in Bentiu Protection of Civilian (POC) sites and will be required to perform the specific objectives of this TOR list below.
****Specific Objectives of this TOR:****
- Conduct an assessment of IOM and health partners and their capacity to conduct TB and HIV programming in in Bentiu POC.
- Under the guidance of the Migration Health Programme Coordinator in Juba and based on the findings of the assessment, develop a strategy and operational work plan for the initial start-up of a TB and HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment programme in Bentiu.
- Lead the initiation of the TB/HIV laboratory including design and work-flow of the laboratory, training of health care workers in sputum collection for screening suspected TB cases, and HIV testing.
- In collaboration with the WHO and health actors on the ground, develop a costed operational plan for monitoring of TB patients on DOTS therapy according to the MOH NTP national protocols. The Operational Plan should include: Human resources; Training Needs; Procurement of Equipment; Guidance on equipment and drug storage; Modalities for registering new and old patients; Modalities for distributing drugs to the primary health care units; Modalities for follow-up of patients; Modalities for accessing supplementary support for family care-givers; Budget Requirements
- In collaboration with the WHO and health actors on the ground, develop a costed operational plan for monitoring of People Living with HIV who are on ART therapy according to the MOH HIV national protocols. The Operational Plan should include: Human resources; Training Needs; Procurement of Equipment; Guidance on equipment and drug storage; HIV Counseling and Testing; Modalities for registering new and old patients; Modalities for distributing drugs to the primary health care units; Modalities for follow-up of patients, especially those transitioning from PMTCT to ART; Modalities for accessing supplementary support for family care-givers
- Provide on-site clinical training and guidance in collaboration with the WHO, Ministry of Health and National TB Programme on the aspects of prevention of HIV and TB as well as diagnostic, treatment and care utilizing nationally standardized tools and SOPs.
- Assist in the coordination of pharmaceutical and laboratory supplies for HIV and TB in collaboration with WHO/Health Cluster counterparts, particularly from an operational point of view in terms of supply management and storage procedures.
- Develop a system of referrals to the laboratory from the primary and secondary care units
- Develop a system of referral for TB and HIV patients who may need hospitalization
- Train and manage the implementation of community health volunteers to raise awareness on TB and HIV prevention, early detection, treatment and care among the IDPs in Bentiu.
- Liaise closely with the WHO Technical lead, the local Health Cluster Coordinator and other health partners in Bentiu to streamline TB/HIV programming into activities implemented in Bentiu POC.
- If time allows, conduct a TDY to Malakal POC to assess how TB/HIV programming could be implemented within that context
****Timeframe****
A total of four months is envisioned for the exercise with a possible extension. The time frame would be broken down as follows:
- A period of 10 days to conduct the desk based research and the interviews with key informants such as the National TB Programme, World Health Organization, national and local level Health Cluster and local health partners.
- A period of 7 days to conduct the TB/HIV mapping in Bentiu POC
- Planning for implementation of TB and HIV activities should begin immediately after the results and recommendations from the assessment are shared.
- A Strategy and Operational Plan for implementation will be due by the end of the second month of the consultancy.
- If time allows, a TDY to Malakal POC to assess how TB/HIV programming could be implemented within that context
****Output / Deliverables****
- Work plan based on the data gathered during the initial desk review and key informant interviews
- TB/HIV mapping Assessment Report
- Strategy Document and Operational Plan, including a budget, for implementation of TB/HIV activities in Bentiu POC. The Operational Plan will focus on community outreach and prevention, including possibly the use of active case finding using community volunteers (dependent on the results of the assessment), as well as the implementation of TB/HIV diagnostics. The Operational Plan should also include modalities for treatment and care and should be developed in coordination with the WHO TB/HIV Technical Expert.
- Final Report highlighting areas which have been implemented during the consultancy period and a work plan for continuation/sustainability of activities
Qualifications:
- Completed Doctor of Medicine degree from an internationally accredited institution; preferably with Masters in Public or Community Health and/or in related fields;
- At least five years of work experience including in clinical practice; Experience in humanitarian crisis, natural disasters, infectious diseases and resource poor settings is beneficial;
- Substantial experience in TB/HIV programming, including developing and initiating TB/HIV interventions in emergencies;
- Experience working with government and/or at international agencies;
- Experience in working in the thematic areas of migration health assistance to crisis affected populations and migration management, a distinct advantage;
- Working experience in the East and Horn of Africa region an advantage.
- Strong English writing and communication skills, with demonstrated capacity to write and edit technical health documents
****Languages**** Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates are required to submit a letter of motivation and curriculum vitae clearly indicating the position title in the subject line through e-mail: vss@iom.int