Terms of Reference

Unit: EPR Cluster
Department: Emergency Preparedness
Duration: 12 months
Place of assignment: Yaoundé with some travel as requested
Grade: NOA/SSA

1. Purpose of the Consultancy
To evaluate and catalyse the implementation of the National Bridging Workshops roadmap and identify challenges in the operationalization of the collaboration at the human-animal interface for complying with the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005).
2. Background
The health of humans and animals is vitally interlinked. A majority of emerging and endemic human diseases have their origins in animals, be they transmitted directly, through food or via the environment. Animal-specific diseases can also have indirect implications for human health through food security and other impacts on livelihood. There is therefore a shared responsibility and synergic potential for collaboration between public and animal health sectors to deal with zoonotic diseases and other threats at the animal-human interface.
WHO Member States adopted the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005), for the prevention and control of events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern. The IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MEF) has been developed to assist countries in strengthening minimum national core public health capacities to detect, assess, notify and respond to such threats under the IHR.
The OIE is the international organization responsible for developing standards, guidelines and recommendations for animal health and zoonoses. OIE’s Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway is a range of tools to assist countries in the evaluation and strengthening of the capacities of their veterinary services.
The joint use of WHO IHRMEF tools and OIE PVS Pathway can result in better alignment of capacity building approach and strategies between human and animal health services of a country. For this purpose, the IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshops (NBW) were developed. A NBW is a three-day event which enables the animal health and the human health sector in countries to explore overlapping areas and develop, where relevant, appropriate bridges to facilitate coordination. A structured approach using user-friendly material, case studies and group exercises enables the identification of synergies, review of gaps and the definition of operational strategies to be used by policy makers for concerted corrective measures and strategic investments in national action plans for improved health security.
The key output of these NBW is the NBW Roadmap, a joint action plan that the animal health and human health sectors have developed jointly to improve their collaboration.
As part of the NBW Follow-up strategy, a nationally recruited NBW Sherpa will be positioned at the interface between the two sectors to advocate, catalyse, and provide technical and financial assistance to the country for the implementation of the NBW Roadmap activities.
3. Work to be performed
The work of the consultant will be to:

• Active liaising between the animal health and human health sector following the NBW to keep the momentum;
• Advocate and push for the implementation of activities jointly defined during the NBW and listed in the NBW Roadmap;
• Provide technical assistance for the implementation of roadmap activities;
• Organize a small meeting at national level to conduct the NBW follow-up survey;
• Identify challenges in the operationalization of the collaboration at country level, propose solutions and possible tripartite support opportunities;
• Identify low-cost high-impact NBW roadmap activities which could be funded by the tripartite;
• Participate in the animation of the NBW network via online forums;
• Attend the yearly NBW network consultative meeting;
• Serve as technical focal point and advocate for other tripartite activities (Joint risk assessment tool, Multisectoral Coordination Mechanisms tool, etc);
• Any other duty as required.

- Qualifications required:
Essential: University degree in medical or veterinary studies
Desirable: Public health degree is an asset

-Experience required:
• At least 3 years experiences in zoonotic diseases prevention, surveillance and control.
• Experience with public health or animal health systems in host country.
• Very good understanding of the One Health approach and its implementation through multi-sectoral coordination in countries.

-Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and sensitivity to political and cultural issues
• Proven ability to work in multisectoral teams
• Proven ability to meet deadlines

- Language requirements:
Requirement: French language (Excellent) and English (Intermediate).

Computer knowledge :

Word, Excel, Power point