Advisor, Elimination of Hepatitis
C Program

Background

USAID has since 2009 been providing technical assistance to Pakistan with regard to supply chain management and commodity security. It is managed through a Global Health Supply Chain-Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project, which is implemented by Chemonics International Inc. The primary focus of the project has been on development and implementation of Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS), warehouse rehabilitation and management, commodity security, and workforce capacity building. The main counterparts and recipient of technical assistance are federal and provincial governments for sustainable system strengthening and supply chain of Family Planning (FP), Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH).

Aligned with Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), both in terms of  geographic focus and Development Objectives (DOs), GHSC-PSM’s strategic vision unfolds in short and long-term goals to incrementally achieve technical independence for integrated public health supply chains, converging primarily on last mile product availability, End to End (E2E) data visibility, workforce development and Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR), complimenting the USAID’s DOs 1&2. The project’s future focus therefore will be pivoted on strengthening supply chains pertaining to prevention of  infectious diseases (IDs) and provision of basic health services (BHS) at federal level and along Afghanistan Pakistan (Af-Pak) border, specially newly merged districts (NMDs)  of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

USAID support to eliminate HCV

Pakistan is endemic with all five Hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D and E). While most of the population is immune to Hepatitis A and E viruses, Pakistan has a major burden of chronic viral hepatitis B and C infection. In 2008, according to Hepatitis B and C prevalence survey, Pakistan within the Eastern Mediterranean Region had the highest prevalence of HCV infection (5%), after Egypt, while globally, it have second highest burden in the world after China. In order to combat, a five years (2005-10) Prime Minister's Programme for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis was launched. This was later extended for another five years (2010-2015) at a cost of PKRs 13,904 million. However, results of subsequent surveys conducted in Punjab (2018) and Sindh (2019) extrapolated to national level suggest increasing incidence and prevalence of HCV infection. In 2020, the incidence is estimated at 3.28%, while prevalence has risen to about 7%. This situation has added challenge to meeting SDG target, especially 3.3, which requires combating hepatitis by 2030. It is therefore prudent that radical interventions and reforms in, as to how the provinces are implementing hepatitis control and prevention programmes, are required.

USAID supported Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSRC) in designing a comprehensive programme for the elimination of HCV. The objectives of the programme are:

1) To screen, test and treat HCV infection; and in this regard, based on 2020 projected population and in line with SDG-3.3 and national planning cycle, following interlinked cascade of targets is envisaged:

a)       Screen 50% of eligible population[1] by 2025;

b)      Test and confirm screen positive cases for HCV viremia;

c)       Treat all cases that tested positive for HCV viremia;

2) To build health system’s capacity with a focus on: (i) information; (ii) supply chain management; (iii) building human resources capacity; 

3) To institutionalize communication strategy for improving health literacy and improved population awareness; and

4) To monitor and evaluate to ensure nationwide implementation for ensuring achievement of targets envisaged under the programme.

Objective of the Position

The Prime Minister’s programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C, as enunciated in its objectives, is a huge undertaking and a daunting task; and GHSC PSM Project,  aims, through the proposed consultancy, at assisting the  MoNHSRC in implementing the PC-I of the phase – I (FY 2020-25) of the programme.

Roles and Responsibilities

The individual, within the remits of the aforementioned aim, under the guidance of the Director General Health Services, MoNHSRC and Country Director, GHSC PSM Project, will have the following roles and responsibilities:

1. Review the PC-I of phase-I of Prime Minister’s programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C and other relevant documents; and extract targets, physical and financial quantities for the four provinces and three territories (AJK, GB, and ICT);
2. Brief and orient the national and provincial teams on Prime Minister’s programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C; and in this regard, he may travel to the provinces;
3. Assist MoNHSRC in developing the spcifications and bidding documents for the procurement of equipment and supplies planned under the programme; and as enunciated in the programme PC-I, advocate pool/strategic purchasing;
4. Develop terms of referene and scope of work for the envisaged technical assistance, and to guide the incumbent consultants in the delivery of work within the assigned scope;
5. Review technical reports for quality assurance and that the scope of work has been addressed in a timely manner; and with respect to technical assistance, the consultant will be a focal person;
6. Assist in organising periodic reviews envisaged under the porogramme, and provide guidance for  reporting with emphasis on any recommendations for programme implementation;
7. Supervise research fellows recruited under the programme for operational research; and that the research results are used in improving implementation;
8. Assist the academic institution identified for designing and delivering the cascade of training the different categories of health workforce, including health managers working for the programme;
9. Contribute, as an ex-offico member, to the delibertions of the technical advisory group, technical committee, and programme steering committee;
10. Liaise on one hand with MoNHSRC and GHSC PSM Project on the other hand for smooth implementation of Prime Minister’s programme for the Elimination of Hepatitis C;
11. Any other assignment given by supervisors

 Required Skills and Qualifications

In order to efficiently perform the assignment terms of reference (see above), the qualifications and person specifications listed below are representative of the required knowledge, skills, and/or abilities needed to perform the principal duties.

• Postgraduate University degree in Public Health/Epidemiology/Social Sciences;
• Minimum of Ten (10) years experience of working on Public Health projects with public/private sector or those sponsored by development agencies;
• Minimum of five (5) years experience of work at international level in developing countries;
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communications skills; and
• Fluency, verbal/written, in English required.

Supervision

The individual will report to the Country Director GHSC PSM Project and Director General Health Services MoNHSRC.

Note:

• Scope of work can be changed as per the advice by the donor/government counterpart