National Consultant – Influenza Project Officer

Area of Expertise

National Consultant – Influenza Project Officer

Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to hire a consultant to perform the role of Project Officer, who will assist in administrative and logistic work related to the National Influenza Program of HPA and WHO. This includes handling samples received from the atolls, procurement of laboratory items, and contributing to all activities carried out by Public Health Preparedness, Surveillance, and Epidemiology division to implement the activities to support and strengthen Influenza surveillance in the Maldives, in line with the WHO Global Influenza Strategy.

Background

Influenza occurs all over the world, with an annual global attack rate estimated at 5%-10% in adults and 20%-30% in children. Whereas in temperate climates outbreaks are experienced mainly during the winter season, influenza occurs more unpredictably in tropical regions (WHO, 2022). Acute Respiratory infections (ARIs) account for the highest infectious disease burden in the Maldives, with 2 outbreaks on average each year over the past few years.

The Maldives, being a popular tourist destination and having extensive international travel among Maldivians, is in a unique position as a human 'mixing bowl' for influenza viruses. About 8,000 Maldivians travel to Saudi Arabia each year for Hajj and Umra pilgrimage. Pilgrims spend about one month on average in Saudi Arabia. Although we do not routinely collect data on illnesses during pilgrimage, there are verbal reports that the majority of pilgrims develop some form of respiratory illness during the period of stay, and most are symptomatic even on return. Pilgrims travelling for Hajj and Umra from the Maldives are required to be vaccinated for influenza.

This consultancy aims to support routine influenza surveillance work carried out by the Health Protection Agency in collaboration with the NIC. The national disease surveillance system is in the crucial stage of digitalization of data by adopting the DHIS2 influenza and communicable disease surveillance module. The main component of this request is to build capacity and maintain human resources support to carry out surveillance activities in line with the Global influenza strategy (2019-30) in SEAR. Since 2022, through this project, the Maldives has been supported by WHO to implement influenza preparedness activities.

Terms of Reference

1. Implementing influenza active surveillance in ADK, Hulhumale' hospital and any other medical facility where influenza surveillance is initiated.

2. Serving as liaison with laboratory staff and healthcare workers for data collection.

3. Responsible for the data entry, management and analysis work including the data derived from NIC PCR runs, respiratory and pneumonia panels from both IGMH and ADK hospitals.

4. Timely update of data on FluMart platforms.

5. Gathering and verifying demographic, laboratory, clinical, and exposure information on all cases of influenza and infection involving organisms under active surveillance

6. Assisting in the transportation of samples from sentinel sites in Male' to NIC and vice versa.

7. Facilitating timely sharing of influenza samples with the Collaborating Centers.

8. Involvement in additional activities carried out by the Public Health Preparedness, Surveillance and Epidemiology (PHPSE) division.

9. Assist in organizing training workshops and other activities (PHPSE) division.

10. Disseminate influenza medicine to all the health facilities in Greater Male' Area and atolls as requests are received.

11. Update the Influenza medicine stock aligned with dispatch.

12. Meet with regular reporting requirements by PIP, CDC and WHO.

13. Travel for trainings and inspections required - out of Male'.

14. Any additional relevant work assigned by supervisor.

Expected Outcomes:

• Technical capacity on influenza surveillance and other respiratory pathogens, data management, and analysis enhanced.
• The implementation of simulation exercises to enhance preparedness and response capabilities Supported.
• Timely update of influenza data on FluMart updated.
• Better coordination with WHO and Ministry of Health

Deliverables

• Maintained regular surveillance to detect and respond to outbreaks.
• Ensure timely preparation and dissemination of results with the public health units.
• Ensure influenza database and the respiratory/pneumonia panel databases are updated and verified.
• Updated the influenza medicine stock aligned with dispatch.
• Ensure timely transportation of samples from sentinel sites in Male' to NIC and vice versa.
• Facilitated timely sharing of influenza samples with the Collaborating Centers.
• Assisted in conducting/facilitating capacity building training for pandemic preparedness by implementing simulation exercises at 3 atolls.
• Assisted in the arrangement and implementation of the national influenza surveillance and pandemic preparedness workshop.
• Supported the development of the POE Pandemic preparedness plans.
• Submit track progress reports and financial reports as required.
• Regular reporting to PIP, CDC, and WHO aligned with the requirements.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

• Essential: Bachelor’s degree in Primary Health Care, Public Health, Data Management or health related field OR
• Diploma in Primary Health Care, Public Health, Data Management or health related field.

Experience

• Essential:Minimum 1-2 years of experience working in a related field
• Desirable:
• Experience working with government institutions and civil society organizations.
• Experience in data management and reporting.
• Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Experience or expertise in working at atoll and island level in coordination with HPA and WHO.
• Experience working with WHO or other international organizations.

Skills/Knowledge

• Fluent computer skills in MS Excel/MS Access/MS PowerPoint is a must.
• Skills at graphic designing will be an advantage
• Familiarity with facilitating trainings and M&E is desirable.
• Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver of time along with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work within given time period and deliver work on time with outstanding quality

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced):

• Expert knowledge of spoken and written Dhivehi and English

Location

On site: Health Protection Agency, Ministry of Health Maldives

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.Travel maybe required as per the trainings and supervision and monitoring needs of the National Influenza Programme

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

• Remuneration: MVR 16,962 per month for 7 months duration of consultancy
• Expected duration of contract: 07 months

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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