Technical Assistance Consultants for strengthening national responses to end TB (multiple positions), Multiple positions

Hosted Entities Stop TB Partnership

Job categories Health

Vacancy code VA/2024/B5007/27147

Level ICS-11

Department/office GPO, GVA, Geneva

Duty station Multiple

Contract type International ICA

Contract level IICA-3

Duration 12 Months on a retainer basis (estimated no. of working days, 0 to 150 work days in 12 months)

Application period 05-Jan-2024 to 02-Feb-2024

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

This vacancy is closed.

Apply

Expand all [+]

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS hosts the Stop Tuberculosis Partnership (STBP) Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. The vision of the STBP is to realize the goal of elimination of tuberculosis (TB) as a public health problem and, ultimately, to obtain a world free of TB by ensuring that every TB patient has access to effective diagnosis, treatment and prevention; stopping transmission of TB; reducing the inequitable social and economic toll of TB; and developing and implementing new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic tools and strategies. The STBP is uniquely positioned to support the development and further implementation by partners of the Global Plan to End TB, acting as a coordinator and catalyst for the broad range of partners engaged in the fight against TB.

With funding from the United States’ Agency for International Development (USAID), STBP established a roster of technical assistance consultants to support reinforcing national responses to end the TB epidemic, by advancing science and innovations, and accelerating progress towards universal access to quality services for TB prevention, testing, treatment and care – in line with the ‘Political declaration of the high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis’, approved at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, and ‘The Global Plan to End TB 2023-2030’.

Functional Responsibilities

In close collaboration with international partners such as USAID, World Health O...

In close collaboration with international partners such as USAID, World Health Organization (WHO) and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (TGF), the Stop TB Partnership provides technical assistance to the National TB Programs (NTPs) in priority countries for enabling their capacities and effective responses to end TB as the public health threat.

The consultants from the roster will be deployed to provide targeted technical support in priority areas. The requests for short-term technical assistance will be initiated by the NTPs, Country Coordination Mechanisms (CCMs) for TGF grants, and/or STBP, in coordination with other stakeholders. Under the guidance and oversight of STBP’s Deputy Executive Director, these requests will be processed by the STBP Secretariat, in close cooperation with USAID, which provides key financial support.

The expertise of consultants is sought in the following areas:

TB laboratory diagnosis, including scaling up the use of rapid molecular diagnostics, introduction of novel diagnostic techniques, genome sequencing, connectivity solutions, laboratory quality assurance and quality improvement;
Treatment of TB, including programmatic implementation of WHO guidelines and clinical management of drug-resistant TB, HIV-associated TB and other comorbidities such as hepatitis, diabetes, mental disorders, etc.;
TB prevention, including technical support and implementation of internationally-recommended strategies and practices for testing for TB infection, TB preventive treatment (TPT) including the use of novel drugs and regimens for TPT, and TB infection control;
Childhood TB, including clinical management of TB in children and programmatic implementation of contemporary childhood TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment interventions;
TB epidemiology and data, including TB epidemiological reviews, epidemiological modeling, TB data systems, digital surveillance systems, diagnostics connectivity systems, monitoring and evaluation in TB programs;
TB service delivery systems, including implementation of people-centered approaches, TB screening and active case finding, programmatic implementation of X-ray diagnostics for TB (including portable devices and computer-assisted diagnosis with artificial intelligence (CAD/AI); patient support systems, and private sector engagement in TB prevention and care (including engagement of intermediary agencies and other public-private interventions), etc.;
TB financing, including health finance and coverage systems for effective TB responses, allocation and provider payment mechanisms in TB care, financial needs’ estimates and development of ‘TB investment cases’, costing and budgeting of TB programs and interventions;
Surveys and operational research, including TB prevalence surveys, drug resistance surveys, subnational TB burden estimation, and other research in the field of TB.

Technical assistance in above areas will be based on the specific country context and priorities identified by the national TB programs, with support by technical partners as relevant. The assignments will mainly conducted within, but not limited to, the following activities and context:

Technical assistance for development of national TB strategic plans and other relevant policies and programs;
Development of Funding Requests for the Global Fund;
Development of other applications and funding proposals;
National TB Program reviews, joint monitoring missions and other programmatic assessments and evaluations;
Implementation of the Global Fund projects and other externally supported programs;
Development / update of national guidelines, protocols and standards in the field of TB;
Technical assistance for introduction and rollout of novel tools, technologies and approaches in TB care;
Training and other capacity building activities;
Development of operational research protocols and implementation support;
Other technical support and assistance prioritized by countries.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education Requirements: Advanced university degree (master’s degree, ...

Education Requirements:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree, medical degree or equivalent) in medicine, public health, social science, economics, natural sciences, or other relevant field.

A Bachelor’s degree in the subjects above with an additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Professional Experience Requirements:

The application process entails completing a mandatory 3 minutes survey available on this link [click here]. Candidates who do not complete this survey will not be considered
A minimum of 7 (seven) years of progressive work experience in the health sector, preferably in tuberculosis programs and/or other disease control programs, public health, medical services, health policy and health systems, health services organization and management, community care or related area is required.

Experience in any of the following areas is preferred; TB laboratory diagnosis; TB treatment and clinical management; TB prevention; childhood TB; TB epidemiology and data systems; organization of TB service delivery; health financing, costing and budgeting; surveys and operational research.

Experience in development of project proposals, guidelines and standards, operational research protocols in TB programs is highly desirable.

Experience in development of national TB strategies and plans is an asset.

Experience in development of the Global Fund applications is an asset.

Experiences in organizational development, capacity building / teaching (including e-learning platforms) are assets.

Consultancy experience with international organizations, in particular, in high-burden TB countries, is an asset.

Language requirements:

Good working knowledge of English.

Working knowledge of French, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish language is an asset.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) on a retainer basis (on nee...

Additional Considerations

Qualified candidates from High TB Burden Countries are strongly encouraged to ap...

This vacancy is closed.

Apply

APPLICATION TIPS

How to send a good application:

TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

We are proud of our people. The UNOPS family brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf on our partners. Spread across 80 countries, our workforce is rich in diversity and culture – with inclusion at its core.

We understand the importance of balancing professional and personal demands and offer several flexible working options.

Explore what we offer here.