NBW CATALYSTS & ONE HEALTH WCO FOCAL PERSON

   TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. Purpose of the Contract

To support One Health implementation and continue monitor the implementation of the National Bridging Workshops roadmap and identify challenges in the operationalization of the collaboration at the human-animal- environment interface for complying with the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005).

2. Background

The health of humans, animals and is environment vitally interlinked. A majority of emerging and endemic human diseases have their origins in animals, transmitted directly, through food or via the environment. Animal-specific diseases can also have indirect implications for human health through food security and other impacts on livelihood. There is therefore a shared responsibility and synergic potential for collaboration between public and animal health sectors to deal with zoonotic diseases and other threats at the animal-human interface.

WHO Member States adopted the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005), for the prevention and control of events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern. The IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MEF) has been developed to assist countries in strengthening minimum national core public health capacities to detect, assess, notify, and respond to such threats under the IHR.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH founded as OIE) is the international Organisation responsible for developing standards, guidelines, and recommendations for animal health and zoonoses. WOAH’s Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway is a range of tools to assist countries in the evaluation and strengthening of the capacities of their veterinary services.

The joint use of WHO IHRMEF tools and WOAH PVS Pathway can result in better alignment of capacity-building approaches and strategies between human and animal health services of a country. For this purpose, the IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshops (NBW) was developed. An NBW is a three-day event that enables the animal health sector, the human health sector, and other sectors including the environmental sector, etc. in countries to come together and improve collaboration. This very interactive workshop employs user-friendly materials, simulation scenarios, and group exercises to identify strengths and weaknesses in current collaboration in key technical areas (surveillance, response, and risk communication, among others). Previous capacity assessments, such as the Joint External Evaluation or the PVS Evaluation, are examined side by side and outcomes are shared and discussed. Together, participants from different sectors and different levels of health structures then identify joint actions to address gaps and improve their collaboration at the human-animal-environment interface.

One of the key outputs of these NBWs is the NBW Roadmap, a joint action plan that can be integrated into other mandated plans such as the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS). However, this will depend greatly on the status of the country in terms of IHR-MEF and on the level of One Health capacity.

As countries began implementing NBW roadmaps, they requested additional evidence-based tools and resources for strengthening collaboration. To provide countries with further operational approaches, several tools are being developed according to the Tripartite Zoonoses Guide (TZG). These include tools for multisectoral coordination mechanisms, joint risk assessment, surveillance and information sharing, and response preparedness (REPREP), etc. animal health and human health sectors have developed jointly to improve their collaboration.

With the NBW program, the WHO country office is looking to recruit a national expert, who can support the implementation of the NBW roadmap, the use of operational tools and strategies that can be tailored to meet the country’s needs for better coordination, collaboration, communication, and capacity building to address health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface.

3. Work to be performed

The work of the consultant will be to:

• Active liaising between the environment, animal health, and human health sector following the NBW to keep the momentum.
• Advocate and push for the implementation of activities jointly defined during the NBW and listed in the NBW Roadmap.
• Provide technical assistance for the implementation of OH National Strategy and NBW roadmap activities.
• Organize a small meeting at the national level to conduct the NBW follow-up survey.
• Identify challenges in the operationalization of the collaboration at the country level, propose solutions and possible tripartite support opportunities.
• Identify low-cost high-impact NBW roadmap activities which could be funded by the tripartite.
• Participate in the animation of the NBW network via online forums.
• Attend the yearly NBW network consultative meeting.
• Serve as technical focal point and advocate for other tripartite activities (Joint risk assessment tool, Multisectoral Coordination Mechanisms tool, etc).
• Any other duty as required.

4. Delivery

• Identified OH priority activity plan from the country National OH Strategies for Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar for resource mobilization at WCO/AFRO
• Three short quarterly technical reports 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months to update on prioritised activities and challenges encountered (This report can be in bullet points, it will help to update partner organizations and the donor).
• A final technical report at the end of the contract, summarizing all activities conducted, giving an overview of the status of implementation of the OH national strategy and NBW roadmap activities, and providing recommendations on the way forward.

5. Specific requirements

LANGUAGE: 

The English Language is required                       

Read:             Expert knowledge 

Write:           Expert knowledge

Speak:          Expert knowledge

– Qualifications required:

EDUCATION:

Desired: The preferred candidate should have at least a master’s degree in medical/veterinary studies or a related field with comprehensive knowledge of human and animal health services.

Essential: Master’s degree in medical or veterinary studies

–Experience required:

• At least 5 years of experience in zoonotic disease prevention, surveillance, and control.
• Experience with public health or animal health systems in the host country.
• Very good understanding of the One Health approach and its implementation through multi-sectoral coordination in countries.

WHO Competencies REQUIRED

1. Communicating in a credible and effective way.
2. Fostering integration and teamwork
3. Producing Results
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

• Good command of Computer Application Systems
• Computer knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and sensitivity to political and cultural issues
• Proven ability to work in multisectoral teams
• Proven ability to meet deadlines

Language requirements:

Requirement: the official language of the host country (Excellent) and English (Intermediate).

6. Place of assignment

Based in host-country with some travel as requested

Grade: NO-C – Step 1

TIMELINE AND REPORTING

Duration

• The expected duration of the assignment period of (12) Twelve Months.

Proprietary Rights

• Outputs delivered under this contract will remain the property of the government of Tanzania, National One Health Unit under PMO.

The UN system in Tanzania provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, diversity, integrity, a healthy balance of work and life, and equal opportunities for all, including persons with disabilities.

Qualified persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for UN vacancies and are protected from discrimination during all stages of employment.

Interested candidates should address an application comprising of a detailed Curriculum Vitae, Application letter, copies of certificates/diplomas/degrees and testimonials via the following link:

Qualified females are highly encouraged to apply.