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Qualifications

1. Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as a global problem with significant health and economic dimensions. The World Health Assembly (WHA) in 2015 through its Resolution WHA68.7 urged all countries to develop their respective national action plans to combat AMR in alignment with the WHO Global Action Plan that was endorsed by the WHA. Accordingly, the 47 countries in the WHO African region have agreed to develop, implement and monitor a National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR that is consistent with the Global Action Plan for the prevention and response to AMR threats. As of January 2023, 43 (91%) out of the 47 countries in the WHO African region have NAPs of which 33 were approved by their national authorities. Despite the progress made by countries in line with strengthening coordination and multisectoral collaboration around AMR, awareness and education, surveillance, and laboratory capacity, implementing infection and prevention control measures and optimal use of antimicrobials, there is a still an urgent need to address major challenges with NAP implementation. In line with the implementation of the output 1.3.5 of the WHO Global Program of Work (GPW13), the WHO-AFRO/AMR Unit plans to enhance the strategic guidance and technical support to the 47 Member States for the finalization/review, costing, implementation of the five strategic objectives (improving awareness and understanding, strengthening surveillance and research, reducing the incidence of infection, optimizing the use of antimicrobial medicines, and ensuring sustainable investment) and monitoring of AMR national Action Plans using the established indicators. Hence, the AMR Unit will establish a roster of consultants to support Member States for the aforementioned interventions.

2. Deliverables

The consultant(s) will perform one or more of the following tasks:

Task 1: Support Member States to develop, cost and monitor AMR National Action Plans (NAPs) using WHO most updated guidelines and tools and under “One Health Approach”.

• Provide technical support for Member States to conduct situational analysis on AMR and to develop/finalize/update AMR NAPs.
• Support Member States for the costing of prioritized activities of the NAP using the WHO Costing and Budgeting Tool for AMR NAPs.
• Support Member States strengthening of governance and multisectoral coordination platforms on AMR in the context of the One Health approach through Leadership trainings and targeted technical support for effective and sustainable AMR implementation.
• Provide technical support for Member States to monitor, evaluate the implementation of their National Action Plans and document the progress

Task 2: Support Member States to enhance Awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance

• Support Member States to develop/update, monitor AMR Awareness/Education strategies/plans and to document behavior change.
• Support Member States to develop and implement behavior change interventions to include communication, education and public awareness strategies, policies, materials, media, and non-media platforms
• Support Member States to design an advocacy campaign to raise awareness on AMR.
• Prepare and facilitate trainings on AMR.
• Support Member States to integrate AMR into training curricula
• Provide technical support to Member States for the development of AMR advocacy and awareness campaign materials.
• Support preparation and coordination of AMR awareness events and campaigns e.g., during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW).

Task 3: Support Member States establish/strengthen national surveillance systems for AMR/Use and Laboratory capacity

• Provide technical support for Member States to develop/update, monitor national surveillance strategies/plans and tools for AMR/Use and to document implementation progress.
• Support to develop training materials aimed at establish/strengthening national surveillance systems for AMR/Use and Laboratory capacity for detection and further characterization of AMR including Preparedness and Response to AMR outbreaks.
• Support to design/adapt national/regional surveys/research protocols on surveillance AMR/Use to support evidence-based interventions.
• Support to build capacity on GLASS platform and tools and WHONET microbiology software
• Support to monitor national/facility level Antimicrobial Consumption using the WHO ATC/DDD Methodology and to conduct Point Prevalence Surveys on Antimicrobial Use.
• Support to build capacity on adequate Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST); implementation of molecular techniques to enhance AMR Surveillance; Quality Assurance in Microbiology laboratories; analysis and interpretation of data for clinical and epidemiological use.
• Support Member States to build capacity to respond to AMR outbreaks; to integrate AMR Surveillance into existing systems for disease surveillance (e.g., IDSR-Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response) and to link data to existing national health information systems.
• Support implementation of Integrated AMR Surveillance under “One Health Approach” e.g., implementation of ESBL-Tricycle Project. at national and regional level using “One Health” Approach.

Task 4: Support Member States to implement Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures

• Support Member States to develop/update, monitor IPC strategies/plans that integrate AMR and to document implementation progress.
• Support Member States to implement IPC core capacities including establishment/strengthening of Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)
• Support to design/adapt national/regional surveys/research protocols on IPC to support evidence-based interventions

Task 5 : Support Member States to adopt optimal  use of Antimicrobials

• Support Member States to develop/implement Antimicrobial Stewardship interventions, Strategies, policies and programs including integration of AwaRe Categorization into National Essential Medicines Lists (EMLs) and other guidelines to promote appropriate/rational use of antimicrobials
• Support Member States to conduct Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections of manufacturers to develop, implement and/or integrate AMR sensitive regulatory policies into National Regulatory Frameworks and Tools.
• Provide technical support for Antimicrobial Stewardship Training (development/adaptation of training material and facilitation of the trainings).
• Support to monitor and document best practices for Antimicrobial Stewardship to enhance optimal use of Antimicrobials.

3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential:

Advanced university degree (e.g. Masters level) in Medicine, Infectious diseases, Infection Prevention and Control, Pharmacy, Microbiology, Molecular biology, Veterinary medicine, Environmental health, Monitoring and Evaluation of health programmes,  or related field.

Desirable:

Certificate or diploma or post-graduate degree in AMR -related discipline, public health , Social sciences, epidemiology, medical statistics, medical laboratory, One Health; Behavior change or Business Administration

Experience:

Essential:

At least 7 years’ experience in managing projects in public health, at country and/or international level in one or more of the following areas: implementation of One Health projects;  development, costing and monitoring of National Action Plans (NAPs); Communication, Education and Behavior change; establishment/strengthening systems for diseases  surveillance;  capacity building in Microbiology; IPC; rational use of Medicines.

Experience in multi-partners collaborations from multiple countries, government, and non-government organizations; Proven track record in producing and editing reports and publications.

Desirable: At least 3 years’ experience with WHO tools for development, costing and monitoring of AMR National Action Plans (NAPs); experience in developing AMR advocacy and awareness campaign materials; GLASS files preparation and reporting; WHONET Software, WHO multimodal strategy for IPC, WHO Toolkit for Antimicrobial Stewardship in LMICs; Experience in developing and implementing antimicrobial stewardship program.

kills/Knowledge

• Self-motivated with ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to travel at short notice within the country and to perform practical field work
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a team and with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Good interpersonal skills, able to work as a team member in a multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of WHO documents and tools for AMR NAPs, surveillance, stewardship, awareness and understanding.

Languages and level required

• The consultant (s) must have a high level of written and spoken English or French with working knowledge in the other language.
• Working knowledge of Portuguese is a major asset.

4. Technical Supervision

The consultant will work under the supervision of Team Lead/ARD/AFRO.

5. Location

On site:

Multiple locations

6.  Travel

• The consultant (s) is expected to work remotely, and travel  when needed:  TBD

7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Rate : Band ‘’B’’ USD 8,500 – US 9,980 on case basis. As per WHO Information Note 09/2021, the rate will depend on the scope and complexity of the task to be performed, technical skills required and the experience of the consultant.

Currency: USD

Work schedule (if applicable): TBD

Please refer to Information Note 09/2021 for guidance on rates for consultants.