Get documents about "ToR for Pandemic consultant 3 NEIDCOINPUTJUDY020609
Document Sample
Terms of Reference
Post Title: Pandemic Preparedness Consultant
Contract: SSA
Duration: 8 months
Duty Station: Lao PDR, Vientiane Capital
____________________________________________________________________________
Background
Following outbreaks of H5N1 in the ASEAN region starting in 2003, the Government of Lao PDR
mandated the inter-ministerial National Committee on Communicable Diseases and Control (CDC) to
oversee the preparedness and control of Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) in the country. A National
Avian and Human Influenza Coordination Office (NAHICO) was established with funding from various
partners to act as Secretariat to the CDC, and mandated to be the central body for coordinating and
managing AHI efforts in the country.
The UN has provided continuous support to strengthen the coordination capacity of NAHICO and
preparedness capacity of different line ministries. Specifically, a Cross-Sectoral Influenza Working Group
was set up under the aegis of the United Nations to support the joint avian influenza response and
promote dialogue and timely information sharing among all key partners. The group ensures coordination
of efforts for pandemic prevention and preparedness in support of the Government and its National Avian
Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness Plan, 2006 to 2010, which was developed with technical
assistance from the UN. It combines animal and human health interventions and encompasses the
prevention and control of AHI in Laos as well as the preparedness and response in case of an influenza
pandemic. It consists of five strategies:
Strategy 1: Development of Disease free avian influenza management
Strategy 2: Disease surveillance and Response in Humans during outbreak
Strategy 3: Laboratory and Curative Care
Strategy 4: Health education and Community Action
Strategy 5: Strengthening of Institutional and Legal Frameworks
Over the past five years, Lao PDR has developed its pandemic preparedness plans mainly with a focus
on the Department of Livestock and Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Ministry
of Health. While the plans involve other line ministries and mass organisations in the areas of logistics,
awareness creation and information dissemination, currently, pandemic preparedness planning in Lao
PDR to date is not multi-sectoral.
With the new threat of an A/H1N1 pandemic emerging in April/May 2009, the need for multi sectoral
response planning has become more pressing. In May 2009, in light of the new, non AHI-related
pandemic threat, NAHICO was officially re-named the National Emerging Infectious Disease Coordination
Office (NEIDCO). Consequently, the Cross Sectoral Influenza Working Group set up by the UN was
renamed the Pandemic Influenza Working Group (PIWG). The PIWG is working with the Government on
reviewing the five strategies of the National Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness Plan in
light of the new pandemic threat, and providing support to boost the Government’s pandemic
preparedness.
The consultant will work closely with NEIDCO in carrying forward the health pandemic plans towards
being multi-sectoral in line with the ‘whole society’ approach.
Duties, Responsibilities, and Deliverables
The pandemic preparedness consultant will be directly supervised by the Director General of the National
Emerging Infectious Disease Coordination Office (NEIDCO). S/He will work closely with the UN Resident
1|Page
Coordinator Office and the UN Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) Coordination team. S/He will also work
closely with the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) sub-working group on institutional and legal
arrangements for response to disaster and communicable diseases emergencies.
The consultant will carry out the following activities:
1. (a) Undertake a desk top review of all the pandemic preparedness plans and proposals from
NEIDCO, the Ministries, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), and members of the
IASC sub-working group on institutional and legal arrangements (i.e. UNDP, IFRC, MRC, IOM,
ILO, CARE, World Bank, and UN agencies).
Expected Output: A report detailing (i) the gaps, overlaps and opportunities related to pandemic
preparedness that will require future follow-up. (ii) information gaps that are
important prerequisites to the process of formulating the multi-sectoral pandemic
plans. (e.g. any baseline assessments required), (iii) areas of possible synergy
and collaboration with other projects being undertaken by the UN agencies,
donors and regional ASEAN partners.
(b) Undertake a desktop review on the documents listed below, and draft a report on
appropriateness and applicability of the current laws, manuals, protocols, and procedures in
facilitating multisectoral response, and the management of emerging diseases.
The Animal Health Legislation;
The National Avian Influenza Control and Preparedness Plan 2006-2010 and its
operation manual(s) and operating protocols;
Operations of the National Committee on CDC as they relate to other Government
bodies at the national and local levels. Focus should be on communication between
them;
Current decision making process on all practical issues, and the degree of flexibility and
ability to improvise when responding to unexpected eventualities;
Expected Output: Report on findings and recommendations.
Expected Outcome: Involvement of, and coordination and communication among, public and private
sector participating institutions, other stakeholders and the general public.
2. Organise a one day workshop for ministry officials and private sector to advocate on the
importance of multi-sectoral pandemic and disaster preparedness planning. The workshop will
incorporate a Table Top Exercise (TTX) on pandemic preparedness.
Expected Outcome: A workshop report.
Expected Outcome: (1) Improved understanding of the need for multi-sectoral preparedness
and disaster planning.
(2) Identified focal points within each sector/Ministry for follow up on issues
on pandemic preparedness planning.
(3) Document issues arising from TTX to be further developed.
3. Organise a two days workshop for the technical staff, including identified focal points, from
various government ministries, with the aim of identifying the specific needs of each sector in the
context of pandemic preparedness planning. Building on the findings from the TTX in activity 2,
identify issues to include in a national TTX and a simulation exercise.
Expected Output: Workshop report
Expected Outcome: (1) Identified and agreed upon priority areas within each sector that will
form the basis of future multi-sectoral pandemic and national disaster
preparedness planning.
2|Page
(2) Outline and scenarios for national and provincial tabletop exercise and a
national simulation exercise developed.
4. Organise a two days training on Business Continuity Planning for Ministry focal points.
Expecting Output: Workshop report.
Expected Outcome: (1) Ministry officials equipped to carry out sectoral BCPs and the process of BCP
begins in all the ministries.
(2) Issues and recommendations from BCP training will fine tune the national
and provincial TTX and simulation exercise, from activity 3.
5. Organise a meeting with NEIDCO, AHI Coordination group, IASC sub-working, NDMO and
Ministry focal Points to present findings and proposed national table top exercise and simulation
exercises manuals.
Expected Output: The comments to be included in the final TTX and simulation manuals
6. Provide technical support to NEIDCO to follow up on recommendations, gaps and priority areas
identified from the projects activities.
7. Any other relevant activities delegated by the supervisor.
8. Reporting
The Consultant will submit the following documents in English and Lao (translated) in both printed and
electronic formats:
1) Inception Report: prior to training activity commencing, the inception report should include:
a detailed script for the desktop simulation scenario;
proposed assessment indicators;
draft training plan on Desktop Simulation Exercise to be conducted in 18 provinces;
draft training materials to be used for the training of the national team;
(To be completed within one month of the consultancy)
2) Final Report: After all the workshops and trainings are conducted, the final report should include:
Workshop and training reports.
Detailed report on “lessons learned” from the desktop simulation exercise.
Annexes
a) All documents prepared as listed in the Inception Report;
(b) Complete ready-to-use training materials and instruction manuals. Drafts prepared for the
inception report should be finalised using the lessons learned from the trainings and tabletop
exercise and activity 5.
A report on the appropriateness of the current legeislation, operating procedures reviewed in
activity 1 (b) and from lesson learned and discussion throughout the consultancy. The report
should also make clear recommendations on the way forward.
Qualifications
Graduate degree in public health, development studies, public administration or other relevant
qualifications.
Experience
3|Page
A minimum of three years of experience in pandemic preparedness planning and/or avian influenza
pandemic planning.
Experience in carrying out reviews, evaluations and studies and producing reports.
Experience in coordination in a multisectoral environment.
Excellent oral and communication skills, particularly in English.
Prior knowledge of UN system especially WHO, OIE, FAO, institutional mandates, policies and
guidelines is an added advantage.
Has practical experience with:
- Design and implementation of programmes for animal disease surveillance, control and
eradication, specially related to avian influenza;
- Formulating table top and simulation exercises from avian to human and human to human
transmission
- Developing exercises for Hospital management on Pandemic Preparedness
- Be able to translate International Health Regulation (IHR) into the National and provincial level.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory. Knowing Lao
language would be an asset.
4|Page
