Background
The purpose of the USAID | Global Health Supply Chain – Procurement and Supply Management Project (GHSC-PSM) is to ensure uninterrupted supplies of health commodities in support of U.S. government-funded public health initiatives around the world. The project has aligned its priorities with USAID’s Pakistan Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR).
The Project’s technical assistance is focused on a set of programmatic activities, espousing partnerships with the national level stakeholders i.e. Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoNHSR&C), National Institute of Health (NIH), Public Health England (PHE),Centre of Disease & Control (CDC), OGAC, provincial, and district governments including vertical programs AIDS, TB, Malaria Program (ATM), Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), Hepatitis Control Program (HCP), Dengue etc., regulatory bodies; bilateral and multilateral development partners; USAID funded implementing partners; the local and multinational pharmaceutical and technology sector actors; and our globally contracted international partnerships to leverage, foster, and achieve the illustrative goals and outcomes as guided by the CDCS.
Objective of the Consultancy:
Overall objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support to the federal and provincial governments for strengthening of Public Health Laboratories Network Transportation Optimization.
The consultant would review the existing Laboratory transportation (Supplies, Samples, automation) systems of Public Health Laboratories involved in surveillance, detection and response at national and provincial levels in line with GHSA’s priority infectious diseases. The consultant shall conduct the baseline assessment by reviewing relevant documents (JEE 21016 report, IHR 2005, GHSA, National Laboratory Policy/Framework, National Action Plan/strategic framework for AMR, global guidelines for laboratory services management, etc.) in coordination with relevant public and private sector stakeholders.
Specific Tasks of the Consultant:
Under direct supervision and guidance of the Deputy Country Director - M&E, HRCD & Field Operations, in collaboration with relevant staff members, and other pertinent stakeholders, the Consultant will perform the following tasks:
- Coordination with public, private sector stakeholders/partners for assessment of public health laboratory network for infectious diseases in the country.
- Assessment of current SOPs and practices of public health laboratories system (Sample collection, sample handling, transportation, testing, quality assurance, result reporting)
- Mapping of public sector laboratory network for infectious diseases in the country according to the Global Heath Security Agenda’s priority infectious diseases.
- Mapping of private sector laboratory networks’ core capacities (diagnostic services) in the country according to the Global Health Security Agenda’s priority infectious diseases.
- Assessment of current sample transportation systems of public sector laboratory networks for infectious diseases
- Mapping of Human Resource and their capacities in the public sector laboratory networks for infectious diseases
- Assessment of existing funding mechanism of public sector/health laboratories
- Assessment of disease specific vertical programs’ capacities in provincial/regional departments of health in carrying out disease screening activities in the outreach
- Develop and propose a national laboratory transportation network optimization model (Hub and Spoke) in consultation with the public/private sector stakeholders
- Mapping of partners/donors involved in technical and financial support to the government and identify potential partners for enhanced support
- Assessment of automation of public health laboratories and sample transportation network and their linkages with LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System - LIMS)
Eligibility Criteria:
Education: University degree with majors in Medicine / Microbiology / Pharmacology/ Laboratory Technology
Work experience: A minimum of 10-15 years of progressively responsible experience of medium to large sized public health projects, preferably within the public health sector; Experience of provision of technical assistance to the multi/bilateral donors, INGOs etc. in the areas of public health and Laboratory services management will be preferred.
Demonstrate knowledge and expertise related to existing Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) in Public and Private sector
The incumbent shall demonstrate excellent oral/written communication skills and producing high quality reports.
Deliverables:
- Consultative workshop at National/Provincial Level for optimization of Public Health Laboratory network transportation mechanisms linked with surveillance, detection and response of Infectious Diseases.
- Laboratory Transportation Network optimization assessment report with actionable recommendations
- Development of optimization model for public health laboratories transportation network covering capacities, infrastructure and funding requirements to best suit the local context.
Period of Performance and LOE:
The expected duration of the assignment is from July 25, 2019 till September 25, 2019, with a total LOE (Level of Effort) / 30 working days.