E-DRUG: WHO Short-Term Consultant: malaria pharmaceutical project Greater Mekong Subregion
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Expression of Interest
WHO Short-Term Consultant to support malaria pharmaceutical project in the Greater Mekong Subregion in the context of Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance
Background
The geographic expansion of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinin derivatives is an urgent public health concern, and a threat to the recent gains made following global investment in malaria.
Containment activities have been initiated in response to suspected and/or confirmed resistance in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). An urgent action, including financial investment, political commitment and coordination are needed to avert increases in malaria mortality and in the financial burden of malaria control.
However, health system barriers and weaknesses remain a challenge to contain and prevent the emergence of artemisinin resistance. These barriers amongst others include limitation in physical access to and affordability of quality-assured early diagnosis and treatment, including quality-assured artemisinin-based combination therapies (QAACTs) and rapid diagnostic tests (RDT); the proliferation of poor quality services, in the private and informal sector, with under diagnosis and overtreatment, and a poorly regulated private sector with the use of sub-standard and counterfeit medicines and artemisinin monotherapy. All of these barriers can contribute to sustained artemisinin drug pressure that may lead to emergence of resistance.
WHO in its response under the Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance (ERAR) programme provides technical assistance to medicine regulatory authorities, manufacturers and other national/regional stakeholders to increase the availability and access to quality-assured essential medicines and medical products necessary for effective diagnosis, prevention and treatment of malaria.
Purpose/Specific Objective of the Activity
To support Member States of Greater Mekong Subregion to manage and implement country and regional activities under the Emergency Response Plan to strengthen pharmaceutical system and management.
Description of activities to be carried out
- Coordinate and collaborate with national regulatory authorities in the GMS to implement activities to eliminate oAMT in the region;
- Develop methodologies and implement rapid surveys to scan antimalarials in the region;
- Monitor the quality of antimalarials in the region by facilitating quality control testing in selected cross-border areas
- Support national regulatory authorities to ensure quality of antimalarials and enforce regulatory measures to reduce the availability of substandard and counterfeit medicines;
- Review supply chain management of antimalarials in the GMS;
- Support the implementation of country workplans developed by GMS countries;
- Any other activities as needed in discussion with the ERAR team.
- Description of the tasks/process involved in carrying out the activity
The expert will work together with the Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance (ERAR) programme and other relevant technical teams at various levels of WHO.
The expert will manage projects, prepare assignment reports and project documents, undertake duty travel, and perform other related duties as needed.
Required profile of the consultant
Education
Essential: University degree in pharmaceutical sciences, medicine, or relevant health discipline with postgraduate degree in a relevant field from a recognized university.
Experience
Essential: At least seven years of experience in pharmaceutical related fields, including medicines regulation, quality assurance, procurement and logistics management and including at least three years’ experience at international level.
Desirable: Experience in public health or health systems development related project planning and implementation. Field experience in developing countries in Asia is highly desirable.
Languages
Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage
Interested should submit following documents to the Supply Officer (WPRO)
at
SAO@wpro.who.int
by 18 March 2016.
Please use Tender Notice No. 43533 as subject to all submissions.
Also refer to
https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/43533
Expression of interest (cover letter) that includes proposed consultancy fee (per day) and availability.
WHO personal history form or CV
Please note that the application may be closed before the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. Only shortlisted/ successful candidates will be contacted
Travel: For each assignment WHO shall reimburse cost of travel from the place of domicile of the individual to the place of assignment (most direct economy fare).
U JIn Kim <kimu@wpro.who.int>