National Consultant - Neglected Tropical Diseases, Philippines

..

Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will provide operational and technical support to strengthen regional and country capacities for the management, prevention, control, and elimination of priority NTDs. These NTDs include Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), Leprosy, Rabies, Food-Borne Trematodes, Schistosomiasis, Yaws, and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis. In addition, the STC supports country office on Monitoring and Evaluation and strategic use of data, supply of NTD drugs and diagnostics, and strengthening one health collaboration to accelerate the control and elimination of NTDs through integrated and PHC-based approaches.

Background

The Department of Health has identified priority Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) across all the eighteen (18) Regions and eighty-two (82) provinces of the Philippines and is committed to accelerating elimination and control in line with the WHO NTD Road Map 2021–2030 and regional resolutions. The WHO Philippines Country Office (WCO-PHL) is implementing integrated, multi-disease approaches addressing malaria, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases, yaws, rabies and leprosy, alongside other cross-cutting interventions needed to control and eliminate endemic NTDs (such as One Health approaches and strengthening the underlying health systems). Across the regions and provinces, substantial progress has been made towards malaria elimination, with many subnational areas achieving tropical diseases-free status, while a limited number of remaining foci require intensified, targeted and cross-border action.

Philippines, as a WPRO priority country, have advanced from burden reduction to elimination phases, requiring strengthened regional coordination, technical oversight and knowledge exchange. Leprosy has been eliminated as a public health problem in most countries of the Region; however, continued transmission in high risk target groups including children, and in underserved and unserved areas (UUAs) underscores the need for sustained surveillance, programmatic innovation and regional technical support aligned with the WHO Towards Zero Leprosy and the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030. Significant subnational level achievements have also been recorded for other neglected tropical diseases, including lymphatic filariasis elimination milestones, demonstrating the value of sustained investment, partner coordination and regional guidance.

The WCO-PHL, in collaboration with other CO Units, DOH and other related sectors, DOH-Bureaus and Agencies, Center for Health Developments (CHDs), Provincial Health Offices, Municipalities and Local Government Units, academe, professional bodies, and their partners, support Member States to prevent, control and eliminate communicable diseases through high-impact regional norms, standards, technical cooperation and targeted country support, with a particular focus on priority areas.

Within the WCO-PHL communicable disease programs respond to country needs through updating / development, adaptation of WHO policies, guidelines and manuals; surveillance and response; monitoring, evaluation and reporting; provision of technical assistance; and coordinated advocacy, communication, resource mobilization and partner engagement to reduce morbidity and mortality across the country.

While the progress and momentum gained toward the control and elimination of the endemic NTDs in the Philippines has been remarkable, significant challenges persist requiring support from WHO. Philippines has identified eight (8) priority neglected tropical diseases and is committed to eliminate at least three of them by 2030 according to the Department of Health’s (DOH’s) Multi-Diseases Elimination Plan, 2024-2030 (MDEP). Notable among these diseases are lymphatic filariasis (LF), schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases, yaws, rabies and leprosy. Other vector borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya constitute public health concerns.

Through this STC, the country office will continue to support priority public health interventions in the Philippines while focusing on priorities including support to enhance capacities on leprosy disease elimination, Mass Drug Administrations, impact surveys (IDA Impact Survey (IIS) and transmission assessment of LF.

Deliverables

In close collaboration with the relevant WHO-PHL Units, Philippines Department of Health and Agencies and Center for Health Developments, and under the guidance of the CD-Team Lead and strategic guidance of the WHO Country Representative in the Philippines, the Short-Term consultant shall perform the following:

Output 1:  National roadmap for ending priority neglected tropical diseases in the Philippines is developed and aligned with global and national strategic guidance.
Deliverable 1.1: Provide technical input to the development of the roadmap to end the eight priority tropical diseases in the Philippines, using the global NTD roadmap, Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030, and the DOH Multi-Diseases Elimination Plan, 2024–2030 as key references.

Output 2: NTD control and elimination programmes is strengthened through intensified and integrated implementation.
Deliverable 2.1: Provide technical input in the priority NTD control and elimination programmes, particularly in relation to intensified implementation, cross-sectoral integration, and alignment with Universal Health Coverage and primary health care approaches.

Output 3: Tailored support to the Department of Health and partners for priority NTD interventions is provided.
Deliverable 3.1: Provide functional support to the implementation of Mass Drug Administration for eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis, Transmission Assessment Surveys, and the preparation of sub-national and national dossiers for validation of elimination as a public health problem.
Deliverable 3.2: For the active case detection and treatment of leprosy, provide technical assistance through timely delivery of multidrug therapy medicines and implementation of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis with a Single Dose of Rifampicin.
Deliverable 3.3: Support the DOH Philippines and other partners in the Region in the control and elimination of other priority NTDs, including soil-transmitted helminthiasis, rabies, schistosomiasis and food-borne trematodes, by strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration under One Health approaches and programmatic actions tailored to the national and local context and public health needs and priorities.

Output 4: Cross-cutting support for knowledge management, communication, documentation, evidence generation and dissemination related to neglected tropical diseases is strengthened.
Deliverable 4.1: Collaborate with technical units within WCO, WPRO and WHO headquarters to support cross-cutting areas such as knowledge management, communication and information sharing, documentation, evidence generation, including operational research, and dissemination related to neglected tropical diseases.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications: 

Essential: University degree in science or medicine with postgraduate degree at the master’s level in public health, tropical medicine, epidemiology, medical parasitology or entomology, from a recognized university
 

Experience: 

Essential: Minimum of seven years of experience in public health disease control programme activities including at least three years of vector-borne diseases control and/or research at international level.
 

Skills/Knowledge: 

Thorough knowledge and understanding of tropical diseases and their control/elimination.
Skills in health situation analysis, strategic thinking, programme management and evaluation in promoting national capabilities at all levels.
Ability to travel and work in remote field conditions.

Languages and level require:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Tagalog.
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Location  

On site: World Health Organization, Country Office Philippines 
Ground Floor, Building 3, Department of Health San Lazaro Compound  
Rizal Avenue, Sta Cruz, Manila

Travel  

The consultant is expected to travel within the country as needed, with appropriate approval   from his/her supervisors

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration: Php 240,000 - Php 300,000 (monthly)
Expected duration of contract:  11 months, October 2026 to September 2027 (subject to renewal based on funding availability)

Additional Information :

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
  The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. 
  Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to  reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
• WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates    .