Consultancy for Essential Medicine & Technology

Item Description:

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established in 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations. The objective of WHO (www.who.int) is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. “Health”, as defined in the WHO Constitution, is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. WHO’s main function is to act as the directing and coordinating authority on international health work.

The Fiji Antibiotic Guideline aimed to rationalize the usage of antibiotics and to establish consistency in the treatment of various infectious conditions. The Fiji National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) emphasized on the regular review of the antimicrobial treatment guideline using the current resistance pattern and disease burden. However, the review of the current Antibiotic Guideline has been pending since 2017 and it needs to be finalized immediately.

Similarly, the review Essential Medicines List (EML) is also overdue and needs to be updated based on the current treatment guidelines. EML takes a major role in the procurement of medications in the public health sector and the reduction of healthcare costs. The Fiji EML published in 2015 targeted to list all medicine use for the treatment of diseases. The NMP Policy further recommended EML to be revised every two years in accordance with the recommendations in the Fijian Standard Treatment Guidelines.

Therefore, hiring of an expert is crucial to ensure the timely review and update of both the Antibiotic guideline and EML to guide the selection, procurement, prescribing and use of antimicrobials and other medicines in both private and public health facilities.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

To coordinate and finalize the revision of Fiji Antibiotic guideline 2017

To review and update the Fiji Essential Medicine List (EML) 2015

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The consultant will coordinate the finalization of the antibiotic guideline 2017 and review the essential medicine list 2015 in Fiji

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Phase 1: Coordinate the finalization of antibiotic guideline 2015

• Review the current progress of work on antibiotic guideline and draw out the plan of its finalization.
• Work with MOHMS focal point to coordinate the finalization of the antibiotic guideline
• Conduct hospital visit and interview hospital staff and other key informants in both public and private sectors, when necessary.
• Use published and unpublished data and references to support the finalization of the antibiotic guideline
• Facilitate a national workshop for prescribers on the use of new antibiotic guideline.
• Coordinate with technical staff at WHO/DPS the findings and recommendations of the review

Phase 2: Review and update the essential medicine list (EML) 2015

• Assess the current EML 2015 and develop the plan of its review and update
• Identify the sections that needs to be updated and amended in line with current Fiji treatment guidelines and procurement records
• Work with MOHMS focal point to coordinate face to face meeting and consultation with key staff of MOHMS and other units
• Conduct visit to hospitals and other department in both public and private sectors, when necessary
• Use published and unpublished data and references to support the review of EML
• Facilitate a national workshop for health care workers on the use of new EML
• Coordinate with technical staff at WHO/DPS the findings and recommendations of the review

Output/s

Output 1: Finalization of the Fiji Antibiotic Guideline 2017

Deliverable 1.1: Work plan for the finalization of antibiotic guideline

Deliverable 1.2: Final antibiotic guideline and workshop presentation

Deliverable 1.3: Technical report

Output 2: Updating the Fiji Essential Medicine List 2015

Deliverable 2.1: Work plan for the review of EML

Deliverable 2.2: Final draft of EML and workshop presentation

Deliverable 2.3: Technical report

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  University degree in medicine or pharmacy

Desirable: Post graduate qualification in public health or clinical pharmacy from recognized university

EXPERIENCE

Essential: Minimum of five years of experience in medicine or pharmaceutical related fields, such as pharmaceutical practice, clinical pharmacy and procurement and experience in developing or reviewing treatment guidelines and Essential Medicine List

Desirable: Experience in undertaking medicine policies and guidelines review in low-middle income countries

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Should demonstrate expertise in conducting guidelines and essential medicine list review.

Should also have knowledge on hospital and private clinical practice.

Have the ability to identify challenges and provide appropriate solutions.

Good interpersonal skills and capable of facilitating consultation meeting, interview, and workshop.

Good analytical thinking and writing skills

LANGUAGES

Fluent in English

COMPETENCIES

Teamwork, respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences, Communication, Knowing and managing yourself and producing results

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Consultant is expected to travel in-country according to a proposed travel plan.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date:  20/05/2019

End date: 30/08/2019 (60 working days)

Place of assignment: Fiji

Medical clearance

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

Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel in-country according to the itinerary and estimated schedule below:

Travel dates 

to be confirmed

Location 1: Labasa Hospital

Purpose: Consultation meeting with key stakeholders

Location 2: Lautoka Hospital

Purpose: Consultation meeting with key stakeholders

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.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by
06 MAY 2019.

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee (USD) and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No.  WPRO/2019-04/DPS_PHS/TN89362/mnc  as subject to all submission.  

Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Contacts

Peter Ellison – wproungm@who.int, Tel: +63 02 5289017
Email: wproungm@who.int
First name: Peter
Surname: Ellison
Telephone country code: Philippines (+63)
Telephone number: 02 5289017