TPT Consultant
Consultancy, Research Jobs
- World Health Organization
- Expires 02 Mar 2022
- Bulawayo
- Full Time
Job Description
The objective of this consultancy is to document country experience across TB and HIV programmes; covering evolution of national policy, planning, and expansion of programmatic management of TB Preventive Therapy (TPT), challenges faced, innovations/best practices that helped overcome these challenges and finally key lessons learned. The consultant will work with WHO colleagues and Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), AIDS and TB Unit throughout the assignment to produce a quality report. This documentation is important to advise, both in and outside Zimbabwe, on better strategies for implementing TPT rollout.
Duties and Responsibilities
The mission of the AIDS and TB Unit of the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe is to provide measures to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and TB. The unit manages, coordinates, and implements programmes that reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS and TB. The unit is guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations which include the reduction of the burden of TB in high-risk groups with TB Preventive Therapy (TPT) as one of the key interventions. These recommendations were adopted and adapted by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the country has managed to roll out TB Preventive Therapy.
Zimbabwe has been implementing isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for children under the age of 5 years since the 1990s and introduced IPT as part of the TB/HIV collaborative activities in 2011. Major updates to the TB Preventive Therapy Guidelines were made in 2019 expanding regimen options, to include shorter TPT regimens of three months of Rifampicin and Isoniazid (3RH) and three months of Isoniazid and Rifapentine (3HP), as well expanded inclusion criteria.
Countries, Zimbabwe included, have had to adapt the guidelines and SOPs to implement the recommendations as evidence continues to evolve. Rollout of the new regimens has therefore meant that there is need for trainings/ sensitization/ closer monitoring/ logistics issues and M & E gaps that needed to be addressed. Zimbabwe is still in the process of rolling out TPT and has been identified as one of the countries that have performed comparatively well in the area of rollout of TPT. Lessons learnt so far can advise, both in and outside Zimbabwe, on better strategies for implementing the rollout plan.
Qualifications and Experience
Educational Qualifications:
a. Bachelor’s level in social sciences, international relations, public health or related background from an accredited /recognized institute.
b. Master’s level in public health or related background.
5.Experience
Essential:
a. At least 7 years of experience in TB/HIV programs
b. Experience in conducting similar missions will be an advantage
c. Fluency in spoken and written English
d. Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, database...)
e. Proven expertise in writing journal papers.
6.Skills/Knowledge:
Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert): English (Expert)
