Consultant for Diabetes and Safe and Affordable Surgery Program

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has more than 7,000 employees. WHO works with countries to strengthen health systems, improve health services, and respond to health emergencies, focusing on various health issues including non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes.

Job Overview:
The consultant will collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the WHO Representative Office to enhance diabetes and diabetic foot screening and management in primary care settings. This role involves scaling up policy guidelines, providing clinical coaching, and implementing quality improvement strategies. The consultant will also support the Safe and Affordable Surgery (SAS) program by addressing late diabetic foot cases through improved screening and management practices. The overarching goal is to strengthen the national diabetes program by developing evidence-based accreditation standards and enhancing policy coordination.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's responsibilities include:

• Developing and testing national clinical coaching checklists for diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
• Implementing quality improvement methods for diabetes management.
• Supporting the development of a primary health care (PHC) diabetes assessment framework.
• Conducting training for facilitators and multi-stakeholder teams.
• Overseeing the completion of diabetic audit checklists and reviews of outpatient services.
• Developing a diabetic foot database for tracking progress.
• Providing policy and technical advice to strengthen national diabetes programs.
• Facilitating knowledge sharing through workshops and regional collaboration.
• Conducting data analysis and literature reviews to inform decision-making and program reviews.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an undergraduate degree in medicine or a relevant field. A master's degree in medicine, public health, or a related field is desirable. Essential qualifications include a minimum of ten years of relevant work experience in health program planning, implementation, and evaluation, particularly in developing countries. Experience in Pacific Islands Countries and knowledge of NCD and SAS programming are also preferred. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in epidemiological data analysis and health systems, as well as strong skills in program management and advocacy.

Educational Background:
The position requires an undergraduate degree in medicine or a related field as a minimum qualification. A master's degree or higher in medicine, public health, or a relevant medical field is considered desirable. Candidates must have their educational qualifications recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The consultant should have at least ten years of relevant work experience, particularly in supporting health facility-level planning and implementation of health programs in developing countries. Extensive experience in the Pacific Islands region, including countries like Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Vanuatu, is highly valued. Familiarity with non-communicable diseases and safe surgery programming is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with expert-level proficiency required in reading, writing, and speaking. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the Pacific region may be advantageous but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 7 months, with a total of 154 working days. The consultant will work remotely but is required to make at least three visits to Honiara and surrounding provinces, each lasting up to a month. The remuneration is set at USD 11,000 per month, excluding travel costs. The WHO will cover travel arrangements, and the consultant is responsible for fulfilling visa requirements. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups. Candidates must adhere to WHO's ethical standards and may be subject to background verification.