National Consultant to Support PMTCT / Pediatrics HIV Programming (SSA / NOB) at World Health Organization (WHO)

Location: Abuja
Schedule: Full-time
Grade: No grade
Contractual Arrangement: Special Services Agreement (SSA)
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 5 Months
Organization: AF_NGA Nigeria

Background and Justification

• The Nigeria’s National AIDS Incidence and Impact survey in 2018 (NAIIS) revealed a national HIV prevalence of 1.3% (1.8% among females, 1.0% among males), identified State specific burden, and key drivers of the epidemic hence the review of the National Strategy.  Building on the existing strategy which had the “treat all strategy” and ART optimization as a fulcrum, the National Treatment and PMTCT programme (NTPP) was re-established with a 3-prong approach to; strengthen health sector coordination, fast track HIV treatment and build capacity towards universal health coverage and sustainability.
• To implement the NTPP, various initiatives were commissioned such as; the surge capacity project which aims to actively find new PLHIV and put them on treatment in states which contributes > 50% of the national unmet treatment needs; adoption and implementation of Differentiated Service Delivery encompassing community HIV services which brings the services closer to the people, improves PLHIV service experiences and ultimately improve patient’s retention in care and reduce the burden on the health systems; clinical HIV mentorship programme to facility level health workers to strengthen service delivery capacity, the Global fund and PEPFAR alignment project among others. These efforts are yielding result as currently, 93 % of PLHIV know their status, 96% are on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and 89% are virally suppressed (GAM 2021). However, despite the gains, prevention of mother-to child transmission (PMTCT) and pediatrics HIV coverages remains abysmally low at 44% and 45% respectively.
• Following the release of the new Global AIDS Strategy 2021 to 2026: which highlights eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV and ending AIDS among children as one of the global priorities, the GON, requested WHO’s support to address the PMTCT and Paediatrics HIV Issues in the country.
• The FMOH continue to work with the UN, PEPFAR/GF and other stakeholders to address the PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV performance adopting various approaches and innovations. In view of this, National PMTCT, Pediatrics and adolescent HIV scale-up plan were developed to chart a course of action.
• WHO Nigeria seeks technical support to work on these areas. The consultant will provide support to the implementation and scale up of PMTCT and Pediatrics strategies and activities to address the PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV low service coverage.
• This will require the development of national guidance, tools and reports based on evidence and WHO recommendations and on providing support to the implementation of such programmes.

Job Description
Under the direct supervision of the HIV, Tuberculosis and Viral Hepatitis Technical Officer, provide technical assistance to the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCP) to effectively carry out the following specific responsibilities:

• Support the National PMTCT and Pediatrics TWG and to ensure its functionality.
• Support the development of policy guidance and/or strategic plan for PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV
• Support the development of PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV guidelines and service delivery tools in line with WHO guidelines and recommendations;
• Support capacity building of key and relevant stakeholders on PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV;
• Support the conduct of operational research and feasibility studies on PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV;
• Support resource mobilization for PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV (GF proposal and other donors);
• Represent the organization on technical working groups and issues related to PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV;
• Support the collection and timely complete reporting of data on PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV and manage collation, approval and dissemination of program data for the country;
• Proactively contribute and provide support including preparing reports, talking points and briefs on PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV;
• Perform any other assigned duties to support PMTCT and Pediatrics HIV programming and its related activities.

Recruitment Profile
Educational qualifications:

Essential:

• University Degree in Medicine, Epidemiology or Public Health from an accredited institution.

Desirable:

• Advanced Degree in Medicine and postgraduate qualifications in Epidemiology or Public Health from an accredited institution.

Experience:
Essential:

• 2 or more years’ experience in PMTCT and or Pediatrics HIV programming at the national or state level

Desirable:

• At least 5 years’ experience in HIV programming at the national or state level
• At least 2 years’ experience in programme management which includes in coordination, monitoring and evaluation as well as reporting to external donors at national and/or international levels.
• Previous experience working or collaborating with Government, UN agencies or multinationals.

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively and facilitate community engagement
• Demonstrated capacity to implement grants and comply with internal and external requirements

Competencies:

• Promotes WHO’s position in health leadership
• Communicates in a credible and effective way
• Fosters integration and teamwork
• Produces results
• Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences.

Use of Language Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of English.

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

• Proficiency in the use of standard office software (MS Office applications).