National Consultant for NCDs

Position Title:

National Consultant – Development of Rheumatic Heart Disease Clinical Guidelines for Ghana

Location:

Home-based with periodic in-person engagements in Accra and selected districts as needed

Duration:

3 months (up to 60 working days) to November 2025

Estimated Start Date: 01 September 2025

Supervisor:

NCD Focal Point, WHO Ghana

Validation and Finalization:

Support stakeholder review and validation workshops.

Incorporate feedback and finalize the guideline for submission to the MoH and WHO.

Reporting:

Submit progress updates and a final report detailing activities, challenges, and recommendations for dissemination and training.

Deliverable

Timeline (2025)

Inception report and annotated outline of the guideline

Mid-August

First draft of the guideline submitted

End of September

Stakeholder review meeting facilitated

Mid - October

Revised guideline after stakeholder input

End of October

Final version of the guideline and summary presentation

End of October

Final consultancy report

End of October

4. Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced degree (master’s or higher) in Medicine, Public Health, Cardiology, Epidemiology, or related field.

Experience:

At least 7 years of experience in clinical guideline development, cardiovascular disease management, or health systems strengthening.

Demonstrated expertise in RHD, NCDs, or PEN/PEN-Plus implementation is highly desirable.

Prior experience working with WHO or public health institutions in Ghana or similar settings.

Skills and Competencies:

Strong knowledge of the WHO PEN and PEN-Plus strategies.

Excellent analytical, writing, and facilitation skills.

Ability to work independently and coordinate diverse stakeholder inputs.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Technical Oversight: UCN Cluster Lead

1. Purpose of the Assignment:

To provide technical and coordination support to the national Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop a comprehensive national clinical guideline for rheumatic heart disease (RHD), in line with WHO technical guidance and the PEN-Plus strategy.

2. Duties and Responsibilities:

The consultant will perform the following tasks:

Literature Review and Gap Analysis:

Conduct a desk review of existing international and national RHD clinical guidelines.

Identify context-relevant gaps in service delivery and clinical management in Ghana.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Collaborate with the TWG to define the scope and structure of the RHD clinical guideline.

Facilitate and document technical consultations and review meetings.

Guideline Development:

Draft the RHD clinical guideline, covering areas including:

Prevention and early diagnosis

Clinical management protocols (acute and chronic phases)

Secondary prophylaxis

Referral pathways (including surgical and palliative care)

Follow-up and patient retention

Roles of rheumatic heart disease service providers