The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Purpose of consultancy

This consultancy provides technical support to enhance the regional ICU/Critical care and clinical management capacity in managing critically ill patients with COVID-19. The identified Consultant supports WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) during the response and transition from a surge response to building a longer-term program for ICU/critical care in priority countries in the region. The Consultant is expected to coordinate the implementation of clinical management-related programs, provide technical support, conduct training as needed, engage in clinical management-related research, support optimal procurement of ICU supplies/equipment, and establish a robust regional network of critical care and clinical management for all the 47 countries of the Africa Region.

Work To Be Performed:

OUTPUT 1: Surge deployment to countries for ICU/critical care and clinical management support and capacity building in national healthcare workers in the region.

• Deliverable 1.1: Short-term deployment as ICU/critical care expert for supporting healthcare professionals caring for critically ill patients in countries
• Deliverable 1.2: Support designing a longer-term ICU/critical care training program for the region
• Deliverable 1.3: Support capacity building to prepare and respond to treatment of critically ill patients, including delivery of training

OUTPUT 2: A comprehensive report describing the need and gaps of enhancing national capacities for ICU/critical care and clinical management in the region

• Deliverables 2.1: Prepare a comprehensive report of the findings of the ICU/critical care capacities and operations in deployed countries. The report will be used by AFRO as well as by MSs to identify the gaps related to response capacities and will support information-based capacity building plans
• Deliverable 2.2: Develop a scientific manuscript to be published.

OUTPUT 3: Support WHO’s research in analyzing clinical and oxygen data and developing strategies for clinical preparedness in treating critically ill patients in the region.

• Deliverable 3.1: Support AFRO in collecting clinical and oxygen data and analyzing the collected data in the region.
• Deliverable 3.2: Support AFRO in developing clinical management and oxygen scale-up strategies based on the findings from research data.

Requirements

Educational Qualifications

Essential

• Essential: A university degree in the Medicine.

Desirable:

• Qualification in specialized Medicine (critical care, pulmonary medicine, infectious disease, emergency medicine or other relevant areas), training and education, and/or other related areas.

Experience

Essential

• At least five years’ clinical experience working on the clinical management of respiratory diseases and critically ill patients. The incumbent is expected to advise countries and help design an ICU/critical care program for healthcare professionals.

Desirable:

• Relevant experience at the international levels, in the case management and clinical care activities/infectious diseases in an outbreak, disaster or humanitarian emergency. Working experience with WHO or UN agencies, sound knowledge in research and specialty in infectious diseases or respiratory diseases are assets.

Skills/Knowledge

• Proven understanding of the management of acute and urgent public health responses, including infectious disease outbreaks;
• Experience in the outbreak and emergency response;
• Experience in clinical management, building capacity, training, and deployment for ICU/critical care.

Languages required
Essential

• Expert knowledge of either English, French or Portuguese depending on the official language in the duty station where deployed