Vacant Jobs at World Health Organization

DESCRIPTION OF TASKS

• The contractor will be responsible for, but not limited to, the performance of the following tasks:
• Support and facilitate preparatory arrangements leading to the establishment of the South Africa EPR hub.
• Set up appointments for and attend meetings with key stakeholders critical to the establishment of the EPR hub including documentation and follow up on emerging actions.
• Prepare weekly status updates and monthly progress reports to the WHO Representative and Relevant Focal points in AFRO on key milestones towards the operationalization of the EPR hub.
• In liaison with and support to relevant technical officers, facilitate and support the implementation of initial activities of the EPR hub as guided by the EPR hub coordinator.
• Follow up on timeous implementation of priority activities outlined in the EPR hub establishment roadmap
• Engage with key stakeholders and support the clarification of roles and responsibilities of government, WHO, partners, and key stakeholders.
• Assessment of structure, process, capacity, resources, effectiveness, and coordination of EPR hub activities
• Development of a plan of action to augment, strengthen and enhance capacities for emergency preparedness and response.
• Securing key documents including agreements, protocols, guidelines, tools, and other publications critical to the establishment of the EPR hub.
• Develop the weekly Influenza Bulletin for publication and distribution on a weekly basis in consultation with RO staff;
• Support implementation of respiratory pathogen preparedness activities as outlined in the relevant workplans;
• Support all other activities critical to the operationalization and initial functioning of the EPR hub.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Key deliverables

• Hub establishment plan of action for six months
• Monthly progress report

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/ PROFILE
Education
Essential:

• Advanced degree in Public health or Epidemiology at master’s or PhD level 

Desirable:

• Fellowship in Public Health, Epidemiology, or community health 

Experience
Essential:

• At least five (5) years of international and/or national professional experience in WHO flagship projects (TASS, PROSE, SURGE), experience in planning, developing, and implementing the disease surveillance, response, control, and prevention of infectious diseases programme including outbreak and pandemic prevention and control, of priority diseases.
• Relevant work experience with the national and/or provincial department of health in area of surveillance, communicable disease/ pandemic surveillance, preparedness, and response to health emergencies.

Desirable:

• Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant non-governmental organizations with recommendation from at least two immediate supervisors.

Desirable: 

• Experience working in the developing context
• Previous work in South Africa context
• Previous experience of undertaking related assignments under WHO or other UN agencies
• Remuneration and Additional Information
• The cost implications for this work will be $29,547 over the contract period of six (6) months. 

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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF A SSA FOR THE WHO SOUTH AFRICAN DIABETES PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

• The SSA will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the “Amplifying diabetes awareness, care and treatment in South Africa (DACT-SA)” project at the WHO country office in South Africa.

BACKGROUND:

• The WHO country office in South Africa will be implementing a collaborative project with the National Department of Health to transform the current diabetes landscape in South Africa by improving clinical outcomes for diabetes patients, especially in the public sector. The initiative will focus on increasing awareness, supporting health promotion, and ensuring better linkage to diabetes care. The goal is to improve control of the disease, thereby reducing the burden of long-term complications.
• Non-Communicable Diseases are a major public health concern with significant social and economic implications in terms of health care-needs, lost productivity and premature death which are hampering the nation from achieve its social, economic and developmental targets.
• The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) approximates that 10.5% of the adult global population (approximately 537 million adults (20-79 years)) are living with diabetes with almost half unaware that they are living with the condition. By 2045, IDF projections show that 1 in 8 adults, approximately 783 million, will be living with diabetes, an increase of 46%. Over 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, which is driven by socio-economic, demographic, environmental, and genetic factors.
• In South Africa, the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has almost doubled since 2000, driven by rapid urbanization, unhealthy diets, and sedentary lifestyles. The IDF estimates the age-adjusted comparative prevalence of diabetes in South Africa at 10.8% representing close to 4,234,000 individuals among South Africans aged 30 years and older. 45.4% or 1,922,200 of persons with diabetes people are however undiagnosed. While these figures already represent one of the highest prevalence in the African region, the age-adjusted comparative prevalence of Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) is 7.6% and the age-adjusted comparative prevalence of Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) is 32.2%.
• Despite the high prevalence of diabetes in the country, only 55% of persons living with elevated blood glucose have been screened, representing a concerning 45% screening gap. Of those screened positive, 73% are diagnosed with high blood glucose, revealing a further 27% diagnostic gap. only 51% of those put-on medication have controlled blood sugar levels, indicating a 49% control gap. This translates to only approximately 19% of South Africans with diabetes having their condition under control, a stark reality that poses grave risks for long-term complications and increased mortality rates from the disease.
• Aligned to the National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (2022 – 2027) and the National Development Plan 2030, the project seeks to integrate diabetes care into the broader health system, emphasizing early detection, effective treatment, and comprehensive care and control.
• While the entry point and focus will be diabetes, the project will widen its scope to cover the risk factors and comorbidities of diabetes such as cardiovascular diseases as the shared epidemiological and pathophysiological link portends a symbiotic relationship that will be catalytically used towards halting and reversing the high burden of NCDs in south Africa.

OBJECTIVES

• The objective of this position is to support interventions aimed at reduction of the morbidity and premature mortality resulting from diabetes and related non-communicable diseases through integrated diabetes awareness, diagnosis, care, and treatment at the National, provincial, district, and community levels in South Africa.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the supervision of the NCD focal person and the WHO country representative, the service provider is expected to work closely with the NDOH and provincial departments of health to deliver the  following:
• Provide guidance and technical support for the development of the South Africa National Action Plan for comprehensive prevention and control of diabetes in line with the National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, 2022 – 2027.
• Support the capacity building for leadership, governance and multisectoral action for diabetes at both the national and provincial level.
• Harness strategic partnerships to accelerate the country response for the prevention and control of diabetes and other NCDS.
• Support the revision of diabetes care and treatment norms and standards through the development of the South Africa National Clinical User Guide for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes Mellitus.
• Provide guidance and coordination for the development of various Diabetes training materials and tools in line with NDoH and WHO guidance (General diabetes, diabetes foot care, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetes Nutrition Therapy, Community health workers training tools, Diabetes peer educator’s manual)
• Participate in and support health care provider’s training on different aspects of diabetes prevention, care and treatment across the provinces to strengthen institutional capacity of the workforce.
• Support in the empowerment of communities and persons living with diabetes to meaningfully participate in halting and reversing the burden of diabetes and other NCDs in their communities.
• Support the health promotion and awareness on diabetes and other NCDs through the conceptualization, development and dissemination of various diabetes information, education and communication material.
• Provide guidance and technical support for the enhancing of surveillance, monitoring and evaluation and data to policy action for improved outcomes of prevention and control of diabetes and its determinants.
• Any other duties as assigned by WHO Country representative

EDUCATION QUALIFICATION:

• A Degree in Health Science, or equivalent with a Masters in Public Health

EXPERIENCE:

Essential

• 3-year experience working with SA DOH.
• 3-year experience working in public health programs supporting care and treatment.,
• Experience working with development partners and communities.
• Understanding of the public health aspects of diabetes and the NCD response in SA

Desirable

• Experience working with UN organization

USE OF LANGUAGE

• Expert knowledge of English
• Demonstration of good writing skills

GRADE:

• SSA

PROPOSED LEVEL:

• NOC

PROPOSED PERIOD:  

• 12 Months with possibility of renewal subject to performance.