Consultant at World Health Organization (WHO)

Introduction

• Hepatitis infection remains a global public health and development issue. Nigeria contributes significantly to the burden of chronic viral hepatitis infection globally with prevalence of 8.1% and 1.1% for viral hepatitis B and C respectively (NAIIS 2018).
• This corresponds to about 20 million people living with viral hepatitis B and C, many of whom are not aware and are at the risk of developing chronic complications of liver cirrhosis and primary liver cell cancers.
• Similarly, the co-infection rate of hepatitis B and C among the People Living with HIV/AIDS and most at Risk Population- is on the rise according to program data.
• In recognition of the WHO resolution 63.18 (WHA 63.18), the Nigerian government in 2013 through the Federal Ministry of Health established the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme within the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP).
• Following this, strategic national documents viz National Policy for the Control of Viral Hepatitis, National Strategic Plan (NSP, 2016-2020), National guidelines and other service tools were developed. 
• The maiden NSP for the control of viral hepatitis (2016-2020) served as the Country’s Road Map to contributing to the global target of eliminating viral hepatitis in 2030 and was developed with a guiding principle of achieving universal coverage through equitable access to available and affordable viral hepatitis health services provided with a respect for human rights.

Justification

• Following the expiry of the NSP (2016-2020), NASCP with support from WHO reviewed the NSP and developed a new NSP (2022-2026) building on the achievements and lessons learnt from previous implementation period.
• The new NSP which was developed using the draft Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS 2022-2030) as a guide aims to provide direction for joint action of all the national stakeholders to ultimately achieve elimination of viral hepatitis as disease of public health importance in Nigeria by 2030.
• The draft NSP requires to be costed to complete setting feasible and financially attainable objectives and targets, and thus improving accountability. This would also help to identify areas of available funding and gaps.
• In addition, the cost projections for the national strategic plan will be used for advocacy for resource mobilization for viral hepatitis elimination.

Objectives

• To quantify the resources needed for implementation and estimate the related costs of the NSP
• To cost the activities of the National Strategic Plan for the control of viral hepatitis 2022 to 2026
• Develop the costing chapter in the National Strategic Plan for the control of viral hepatitis 2022 to 2026.

Methods

• Engagement of Consultant: A national consultant will be engaged to lead the process.  S/he will work with NASCP to constitute a costing team that will comprise of key stakeholders from the different pillars to participate in the costing process. S/he will facilitate the costing workshop and is required to work closely with a national team during the costing process.
• NSP costing workshop: A five-day workshop will be facilitated by the national consultant. The workshop will aim at identifying activities to be costed, costing elements and unit costs. The outcome of the workshop will be used in the costing process by the consultants. 
• Core group non-residential: 3 days core group workshop to engage with consultant and finalize the costed NSP
• 1 day ratification meeting (virtual): The consultants will host a virtual meeting to share the output of the costed NSP and get the acceptance of stakeholders.
• Dissemination of Report: A final report will be written to summarize the findings, the contributions of the stakeholders and disseminate appropriately.

Timeline:

• Engagement of consultants(s) - June 2022
• NSP costing workshop - 1st week of July 2022
• Final copy of new NSP - 2nd week of July 2022.

Output:

• Report of the costing workshop
• A costed NSP for the control of viral hepatitis (2022 -2026) which includes a chapter on costing.

Task Description

• He/she will work with relevant NASCP/WHO staff and national stakeholders to achieve the objectives of costing the NSP (2022-2026).

Responsibilities include:

• Facilitate and lead the development of costing elements and costing templates
• Facilitate a 5-day workshop and lead the costing of National Viral hepatitis NSP (2022-2026)
• Facilitate and lead the development of the costing chapter of the NSP
• Develop a comprehensive report of the entire process
• Perform any other assigned duties related to the above task to achieve the objectives of the consultancy.

Deliverables
The key deliverable of the consultancy is:

• A costed Final draft of the National Strategic Plan for Viral Hepatitis (2022-2026) which includes a chapter on costing
• A comprehensive Viral Hepatitis NSP process reports.

Recruitment Profile
Education Qualifications:

• Essential: Advanced Degree in Health Economics, Health Management / Business Management and Finance.
• Desirable: Certificate in Project / Programme Management.

Experience:
Essential:

• International experience of at least 7 years in supporting the development of detailed costed budgets for public health programmes or NSP.
• Thorough knowledge and 7 years proven experience in costing national strategic plan /documents
• Proven experience in supporting Nigeria or any developing country in the preparation and submission of similar costed National Strategic Plans
• Proven experience in developing costing templates within the WHO or other UN agencies.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Producing results.

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of Communicable diseases programming, HIV, Tuberculosis, Viral hepatitis, Malaria
• Skills in use of Microsoft excel Microsoft project/costing tools
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and work well with diverse people.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and to work effectively under pressure, including in a multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent facilitation skills.

Use of Language Skills:

• Required: Expert knowledge of English language.