TOR – NTD Program, Trachoma Technical Assistant (Consultant) 67 views

Background

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of parasitic and bacterial diseases that cause substantial illness for more than one billion people globally. The Ministry of Health of Ethiopia has identified eight neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as significant public health concerns, among which trachoma is included.

Trachoma, which is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, is the leading infectious cause of blindness. Infection is transmitted with ocular and nasal secretions that are passed from person to person on fingers, fomites (such as bedding) and eye-seeking flies (particularly Musca sorbens). Repeated episodes of active trachoma can scar the eyelids, and, in some individuals, leads to trachomatous trichiasis (TT), in which one or more eyelashes from the upper eyelid touch the eyeball. TT is extremely painful. It can be corrected surgically but, if left untreated, may lead to corneal opacification, low vision and blindness.

The FMOH sets the following criteria to eliminate trachoma by 2030.

• Reduce prevalence of active trachoma among children from 5 and 9 years below 5%
• Reduce prevalence of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) to <1% among people age 15 years and older (or <0.1% among the general population)

Purpose and Scope of the work

To strengthen the MOH capacity in achieving NTD prevention and control targets, it is deemed essential to engage a consultant to serve as a Technical Assistant for the NTD Desk.  The TA with strategic guidance from the LEO and NTD Desk Head, will independently drive technical analysis, collaborate on programmatic management and direct technical support to the overall implementation of the SAFE strategy by the regional health bureaus and implementing partners in the target regions and woredas. The TA will also be responsible for (but not limited to) facilitating Operation Sight and Other Trachoma Programs implementation, reviewing and tracking progress towards meeting set standards and targets, and preparation, compilation and submission of periodic narrative and financial reports.

Detailed duties and responsibilities

With the guidance of MOH and in collaboration with key stakeholders, coordinate the development of operational and implementation plans to scale up Trachoma morbidity management (TT surgery), monitoring and evaluation, grant management on TT surgery backlog clearance.

• Provide technical support in the implementation SAFE strategy.
• Analyse/review the scale-up and scale-down of trachoma interventions and trends in disease burden changes and epidemiology and take appropriate corrective action in consultation with the NTD Team at MOH.
• Provide technical assistance in developing and implementing monitoring, evaluation and learning mechanism trachomatous trichiasis (TT) management, mass drug administration, facial cleanliness and environment improvement performances.
• Provide coordination and technical advice on resource allocation necessary to support the regions to deliver TT management through provision of quality and cost-effective service.
• Involve in the coordination of different NTD program forums like National Trachoma Task Force, Trachoma Task Team, Annual and Semi-Annual Review Meetings, NTD Research Symposiums and Conferences.
• Participate in the coordination of trachoma and NTD/trachoma capacity building workshops and trainings to regions, partners and other stakeholders
• Follow up and facilitate Trachoma and other NTD related procurements and logistics supplies to ensure smooth and timely delivery of project inputs and outputs.
• Collaborate with key Trachoma program managers, technical teams and implementing partners to ensure project targets are met as per approved results framework.
• Document, present and disseminate best practices and lessons learnt at national and international levels.
• Provide oversight and technical support to regions including ensuring the timely and appropriate compilation and safeguard during all recommended woreda-level supporting documentations needed for the MOH national dossier preparation for validation of elimination of Trachoma as a public health problem.
• Participate in strategic planning processes, project designs, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and grant management in delivery of cost-effective services and ensure objectives are met in line with national policies and plans.
• Prepare quality annual and periodical narrative and financial project reports.
• Support other related trachoma/NTD program activities when needed and requested by the NTD Desk Head and/or LEO of Disease Prevention and Control Executive Office.

Timeframe and Working Site

• The Consultancy agreement will be run for one year (12 months) subject to extension upon availability of funding.
• Location: Ministry of Health – Diseases Prevention and Control Lead Executive Office, Neglected Tropical Disease Desk, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Duty Station: Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa with frequent travel to regions

Remuneration

This is non-staff position and remuneration will be based on negotiation. The total amount of the negotiated remuneration will be allocated over 12 installments (prorated) on monthly basis as of the date of consultancy contract signature.

Accountability

• The Technical Assistant (TA) will regularly report to the MOH, Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Desk Coordinator under the Disease Prevention and Control Lead Executive Office (DPCLEO).
• The Consultant will also submit quarterly report to Consortium Lead and Senior Program Manager of Orbis Ethiopia.