WHO Tripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR seeks consultant to develop multisectoral guidance

Dear All,

WHO continues on their streak of seeking support for their AMR-related work! Today we have a posting by the Tripartite Joint Secretariat on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) of a consultancy opening for an 11-month project that would support development of multisectoral guidance(s) on development and strengthening of the coordination mechanisms and governance structures for addressing AMR.

Full details are below my signature and you might also get some useful decoding of the acronyms and ideas behind this project by reviewing the 25 Aug 2021 newsletter entitled “WHO-FAO-OIE-UNEP Survey On A Multi-Stakeholder AMR Platform.”

The consultancy is EU-based, but at least some overlap with EU working hours would be required. The deadline for applications is 4 Nov.

Good work, Team WHO! It is certainly exciting to see the pieces coming together for global implementation of measures to address AMR.

All best wishes, –jr

John H. Rex, MD | Chief Medical Officer, F2G Ltd. | Operating Partner, Advent Life Sciences. Follow me on Twitter: @JohnRex_NewAbx. See past newsletters and subscribe for the future: https://amr.solutions/blog/. All opinions are my own.

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Online Job Description
Contract Type: External consultancy
Contract start date: as soon as possible
Contract Duration: 11 months with possibility of extension subject to funding and satisfactory performance
Organization : WHO HQ/ AMR/ GCP Global Coordination and Partnership
Application deadline: 4 November 2021
 
Purpose of the consultancy
To provide technical support to the Tripartite Joint Secretariat on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the development of a guidance as well as provide advice to countries on the development and strengthening of the coordination mechanisms and governance structures for AMR. 
 
Background
AMR is a global public health threat. It is driven by inappropriate use of antimicrobials in human health, animal and plant health, food production, and through environmental contamination, and as such requires a One Health approach to address it.  The Tripartite Joint Secretariat on AMR consolidates cooperation between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), WHO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) drawing on their core mandates to support the global response across the One Health spectrum through global advocacy and political engagement, creation of a shared vision and goals, and providing Secretariat services for global governance structures.

The consultancy is located within the Tripartite Joint Secretariat, which is hosted by WHO, and has dedicated liaison officers in FAO and OIE headquarters and works with UNEP. The Secretariat manages the day-to-day operations of the joint work of the Tripartite organizations on AMR including the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF). The Tripartite has developed a Strategic Framework that sets the vision and objectives of the collaboration for the next five years. The Framework will be launched in November 2022.  A related workplan is being developed that will set the deliverables for the next biennium. 

Analysis of country experience suggests that having an effective multisectoral coordination mechanism is very strongly associated with progress in the implementation of the national action plan.  Developing and sustaining such groups is however politically and practically challenging. This is true of many other health and development issues, and so there is a growing body of experience of what works in different contexts.  Successful approaches will need to be sensitive to context, politics and integrate with broader governance structures.  One size will not fit all, but there are principles and considerations that are widely applicable, and much scope for learning within AMR and within other fields that require collaboration across sectors.

There is an emerging academic literature on multisectoral governance and significant practical country experience. WHO has also published guidance documents on coordination and implementation of AMR National Action Plans and  multisectoral coordination is also covered in the Tripartite Zoonoses guide.  There has also been work on establishing multisectoral coordination through the health in all policies framework, and for other issues such as non-communicable disease. The challenge however is not just to establish these groups but to ensure that they are functional and deliver more coordinated responses and there are appropriate systems and structures to ensure commitment and accountability.

The Tripartite and UNEP have recently developed a Joint strategic framework that will shape their collaborative work for the next few years. Supporting countries to develop country-owned sustainable multisectoral governance to ensure effective and balanced national AMR responses is one of the objectives and it is anticipated that this consultancy will contribute to the delivery of this work.  This initial focus of this work will be through countries that are being funded through the AMR MPTF. This fund was established in 2019 and provides funds to allow the Tripartite to support the One Health approach in eleven low and middle-income countries. 
 
Deliverables
Deliverable 1
Review of existing guidance on One health and multisectoral frameworks for coordination and oversight and relevant academic literature.  Expected by end of February 2022. 
Tasks:

• Review and consolidation of existing guidance on multisectoral frameworks;
• Work with relevant teams from FAO, OIE and UNEP to review individual organisations guidance on AMR National Action Plan coordination and governance; 
• Review country experience (TRACSS analysis, literature reviews, country implementation reviews, etc.) and relevant academic literature. 

Deliverable 2
Prepare a report on the use of the Health in All Policies framework to support multisectoral governance in selected pilot countries. Expected by end March 2022. 
Tasks:

• Work with other teams and colleagues in WHO and Tripartite organisations to review guidance on multisectoral coordination on other strategic areas to develop a coherent approach that reflects AMR specific issues (e.g. zoonoses, Health in All Policies, NCDs); 
• Support pilots of this approach at country level. 

Deliverable 3
Prepare a report on the experience and lessons learnt on multisectoral governance in MPTF countries. Expected by December 2022.   
Tasks:

• Identify the needs interests and priorities of MPTF countries for support in enhancing and strengthening governance structures.
• Provide advice and signpost to countries relevant tools and evidence 
• Facilitate collaboration between MPTF countries  and the piloting of tools where appropriate. 
• Manage an action learning set/community of practice of interested countries on optimal approaches to coordination in different contexts.
• Synthesize results. 

Deliverable 4
Update the section in the AMR National Action Plan implementation handbook on multisectoral governance. 
 
Education
Essential:

• At least ten years of relevant experience on governance and accountability mechanisms at regional and national levels, incorporating multisectoral and multidisciplinary approaches. 
• At least ten years of working experience in or with developing /resource poor countries.

 
Desirable: Experience working with WHO, FAO, OIE or UNEP.
 
Skills/ Knowledge

• Knowledge of AMR or other One Health issues;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Ability to work under pressure with conflicting priorities;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Computer literacy and experience in organizing and managing virtual meetings and consultations.  

 
Language
Expert knowledge of English
 
Location
Home-based
 
Travel
N/A
The consultant is expected to be engaged routinely with colleagues during the working hours for European time zones.
 
Remuneration
Pay band level C: USD 10,000 to 12,500 per month