Consultant for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Consumption Surveillance

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Position Title: Consultant for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Consumption Surveillance
Location: Manila
Country: Philippines
Deadline Date:

Job Details

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. With over 7,000 employees, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, working to combat health issues such as infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and health systems strengthening. The organization plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to health emergencies and providing technical assistance to countries.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to support antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and antimicrobial consumption (AMC) surveillance in the WHO Western Pacific Region. The consultant will work on optimizing the use of antimicrobials to improve patient outcomes while minimizing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The role involves developing guidelines, training materials, and conducting a comprehensive review of AMS implementation across various settings. The consultant will also be responsible for producing reports and providing technical guidance on the appropriate use of medicines, including antimicrobials, in selected countries. This position requires a deep understanding of health systems, particularly in resource-limited settings, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support antimicrobial stewardship implementation: - Conduct a desk-top review summary of AMS implementation in the region. - Develop AMS guidelines and tools tailored for selected countries. - Create interactive training materials on AMS for hospital teams.
• Support antimicrobial consumption surveillance: - Develop national guidelines and tools for establishing AMC surveillance systems. - Compile a consolidated AMC report from participating countries. - Create training materials for AMC tailored to the context of each country.
• Ensure appropriate selection and use of medicines: - Revise and develop essential medicines lists based on WHO AWaRE classification and local AMR evidence. - Provide technical guidance on promoting the appropriate use of medicines, including conducting utilization studies and establishing accreditation criteria for hospitals.
• Prepare consultancy reports: - Submit monthly progress reports detailing activities and outcomes. - Deliver final technical reports summarizing all findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a degree in medicine or an advanced university degree in pharmacy, clinical pharmacology, microbiology, or a relevant public health field. Desirable qualifications include training in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), or antimicrobial consumption (AMC). Candidates should possess a strong understanding of health systems and service delivery in resource-limited settings, along with specialized knowledge in antibiotic stewardship and surveillance of antibiotic use.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a degree in medicine or an advanced university degree in pharmacy, clinical pharmacology, microbiology, or a relevant public health or clinical field. Additional training in AMR, AMS, or AMC is desirable but not mandatory.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of experience in antimicrobial stewardship, antimicrobial consumption monitoring, clinical pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, clinical practice, microbiology, or related fields at both national and international levels. Desirable experience includes in-depth knowledge of AMS implementation in resource-limited settings, practical knowledge of AMC methodology, and experience in conducting training using adult learning methodologies.

Languages:
Fluency in English is essential, encompassing writing, reading, and speaking skills. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 11 months, from December 2024 to November 2025, with a remuneration of USD 9,000.00 per month. The consultant will work onsite at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila, Philippines, and may be required to travel to Member States as needed. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. Candidates must adhere to WHO's ethical standards and may be subject to background verification.