National Consultant - Introduction of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in Tunisia

Purpose of consultancy

Support the Tunisian MoH, particularly the EPI Program in the planning, coordination and supervision of the HPV vaccine introduction process.

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with various diseases, including cervical cancer which is the fourth most common cancer in women and is caused in more than 95% of cases by HPV. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent HPV infection and the resulting cancers. Increasing access to effective vaccines to prevent cervical cancer is a crucial step to reduce vaccine-preventable disease and death.

In Tunisia, more than 300 new cases of cervical cancer are recorded each year, and about 185 deaths are due to the disease, according to Globocan 2020. More than 70% of cases are discovered at advanced stages of the disease, often inoperable and therefore with a poor prognosis. The direct cost of treating cervical cancer in these advanced stages is 25,000 TD per patient, not including the indirect cost.

The Technical Committee on Immunization (CTV) recommended the introduction HPV vaccines in Tunisia: one dose in 12-year-old girls, enrolled in the 6th basic grade, and will be coupled with the school vaccination already scheduled by dT-polio.

The HPV vaccine is scheduled to be introduced in April 2025. To this end, the Primary Health Care Directorate (DSSB), with the support of the WHO, plans to recruit a national consultant to support the introduction of the HPV vaccine.

Work to be performed

The consultant will support for the introduction of the HPV vaccine. He/ She will work under the supervision of the senior consultant.

Output 1: General coordination and monitoring of the HPV vaccine introduction plan reinforced.

• Deliverable 1.1: Assist in planning, organizing, and coordinating the bi-monthly meetings of the HPV vaccine introduction committee.
• Deliverable 1.2: Support the review of the implementation status of activities defined in the introduction plan and the schedule to target the start date of the vaccination activity.
• Deliverable 1.3: Present progress, encountered obstacles, recommendations, and activity planning for the next period to the steering committee.
• Deliverable 1.4: In coordination with regional coordinators and consultants, monitor the implementation status of activities at the regional and local levels.
• Deliverable 1.5: Coordinate and plan the implementation of activities.
• Deliverable 1.6-: Draft bi-monthly activity reports.
• Deliverable 1.7: Provide technical support to the National Immunization Program (PNV) in coordinating activities related to strengthening the vaccination system and introducing the HPV vaccine.
• Deliverable 1.8: Planning and coordinating the various workshops, training sessions and meetings, drafting the relevant concept notes and reports/minutes.

Output 2: The technical support, supervision, and orientation for the implementation of the HPV introduction plan are reinforced.

• Deliverable 2.1: Draft the TORs of the technical assistance required for the HPV vaccine introduction and for the immunization system strengthening.
• Deliverable 2.2: Provide strategic oversight and orientation for the development of technical documents, including training materials, forms, and procedures.

• Deliverable 2.3: Provide technical support for the EPI review process, including methodology, assessors training, etc.
• Deliverable 2.4: Review and validate the quality of deliverables (training materials, plans, reports, etc.)

Output 3: Capacity building is reinforced.

Deliverable 3.1: Annual and Micro-Planning Workshops for the Introduction of the HPV Vaccine:

• • Draft the concept note for training workshops on the annual work plan and micro-planning for the introduction of the HPV vaccine.
  • Plan and facilitate regional workshops for annual work planning and micro-planning for the introduction of the HPV vaccine, in coordination with regional vaccination consultants and coordinators.
  • Propose training materials, tools, and models to be used in planning.
  • Co-facilitate three regional workshops of 3 days each.
  • Review of regional plans
  • Draft the final workshop report, including recommendations on annual planning activities.

Deliverable 3.2: Training on HPV Vaccination:

• • Draft the concept note for the HPV vaccination training process, including the identification of trainer and beneficiary profiles, covered chapters, and necessary training content.
  • Review and validate training materials on vaccination, including training of trainers and cascade training.
  • Coordinate and supervise 5 training sessions for trainers (2 days each in 5 administrative districts)
  • Assist trainers in cascade training at the local level.
  • Evaluate training outcomes.

Deliverable 3.3: Capacity building on evaluation

• • Draft the concept note for the post-introduction evaluation of HPV vaccination, including the identification of trainer and evaluator profiles, evaluation methodology, etc.
  • Support the coordination, and the facilitation of the EPI review assessors training workshop.
  • Support the coordination, and the facilitation of the post-introduction evaluation capacity building.

Educational

Essential: University degree in medicine, pharmacy, public health, or equivalent field

Experience

Essential: Five years of professional experience in public health programs, preferably in immunization.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

• Strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with government and international partners.
• Good knowledge of the Tunisian context and the health sector in Tunisia.
• Experience in health planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Master the computer tool, Windows environment: Word, Excel, Power Point, internal.
• Good communication, synthesis and writing skills.
• Ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team and meet deadlines.

Languages

Essential: Fluency in written and spoken French and Arabic.

Desirable: Knowledge of English is an asset

Location

The Consultant expected to perform her/his work in Tunisia especially in Tunis and other governorates.

Medical clearance

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

Hiring Unit

WCO/ TUNISIA

Travel

It is anticipated that the consultant will travel in accordance with the requirements for monitoring, training, evaluation, and coordination for all governorates.

Remuneration and Expected duration of the contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year)

· Remuneration: at the national rate NOB level.

· Expected duration of the contract: 112 days, starting from 13 Jan 2025

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:

a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.

b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided.

c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

Additional information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and is committed to putting the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment, and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment, or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions, or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions, and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.