Consultant - Noma and NTDs at World Health Organization (WHO)

Purpose of Consultancy

• To guide cross-departmental work on noma between NCD and NTD at WHO HQ, as well as facilitate collaboration with WHO Regional and Country offices and all stakeholders.

Background  

• Noma, a severe gangrenous disease of the mouth and face, primarily affects malnourished young children (between the ages of 2 and 6 years) in regions of extreme poverty. It starts as an inflammation of the gums, which, if not treated early, spreads quickly to destroy facial tissues and bones. It frequently leads to death, with survivors suffering severe disfigurement. Cases of noma are mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa, although cases have also been reported in the Americas and Asia. There are multiple risk factors associated with this disease, including poor oral hygiene, malnutrition, weakened immune systems, infections, and extreme poverty. Noma isn't contagious but tends to strike when the body's defenses are down.
• On 15 December 2023, following a recommendation of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD), WHO announced the inclusion of noma into the WHO list of neglected tropical disease (NTDs).
• Noma is now positioned to align with both the ambitious goals of the Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023-2030), managed by the NCD Department, and the NTD road map 2021-2030, managed by the NTD Department.
• WHO has been working on noma since the 1990s: technical guidance and field tools have been developed, and a global network and community of practice has been formed.
• The WHO African Region established the regional noma control programme in 2001 and has made great progress in supporting action against noma in countries reporting cases. The noma step-by-step guide published in 2020 to support priority countries in line with the UHC and SDGs targets lays the foundation of integration within the NTD roadmap and the development of disease-specific guidance and targets.
• With the inclusion of noma, WHO’s NTD list now includes 21 diseases or groups of diseases. Collective action on NTDs by WHO is driven by the ambitious targets set out in the NTD road map 2021-2030. However, the road map was established prior to noma’s inclusion in the NTD list and additional work is needed to harmonize and integrate noma. 

Deliverables

• Develop technical guidance for the integration of noma into the WHO NTD roadmap 2021-2030.
  Expected by: first 2 months
• Update of existing tools to contribute to prevention and control of noma in the field.
  Expected by: first 2 months  
• Develop a global communication and advocacy strategy to integrate noma into the NTD brand.
  Expected by: first 4 months
• Develop a database of existing global networks and community of practice dedicated to noma to facilitate partnership.
  Expected by: first 4 months  
• Develop technical documents to guide health workers to diagnose and treat cases.
  Expected by: first 4 months  
• Develop a document outlining the research priorities for noma to facilitate inclusion of in the NTD R&D Blueprint.
  Expected by: first 8 months  
• Organize global technical and partnership meetings on noma.
  Expected by: first 10 months
• Facilitate the involvement of people with lived experience / survivors in all relevant initiatives.
  Expected by: first 11 months  
• Advise WHO regional and country offices to guide ministries of health in addressing noma within the NTDs and Oral Health Programmes.
  Expected by: first 11 months  

Educational Qualifications
Essential:

• First University Degree in Medicine, Dentistry or Health-related field.

Desirable:

• Advanced University Degree in Public Health or related field.

Experience:  
Essential:

• 5-10 years of relevant experience working on noma and public health.

Skills: 

• Ability to work harmoniously in a team, adapt to a diverse working and cultural environment.
• Ability to take initiatives and provide innovative ideas.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office (excel, PowerPoint, word etc.) and other tools as well as social media tools.
• Ability to liaise and respectfully communicate with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of noma and its social and public health impact.
• Knowledge in public health and tropical diseases.

Languages Required:
Essential:  

• Expert knowledge of English.
• Intermediate knowledge of French.

Remuneration

• Band level B: USD 350/day 
•  FTE: 50 days over the five-month period (50%)