UNDP Jobs - 47012- Integrated Vector Management Coordinator Assistant

Integrated Vector Management Coordinator Assistant - Theme 2

Location :

Port Louis, MAURITIUS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Jul-2014

Application Deadline :

27-Jun-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

5 person months

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

5 person months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Project Title:

Sustainable Management of POPS in Mauritius

Background:

The Government of Mauritius has signed the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in 2001 and ratified same in 2004. This Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous, long lasting chemicals by restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use, trade, release and storage. One obligation under the Convention is to develop a National Implementation Plan (NIP) on POPs.

In 2008, Mauritius benefited from financial assistance from Global Environment Facility (GEF) to implement the first two recommendations of the NIP through the project “Sustainable Management of POPs in Mauritius”. This project is jointly implemented by Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development and Ministry of Health & Quality of Life, with the technical support of United Nation Development Program (UNDP).Theme 2 is led by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life.

This project is subdivided into two themes namely:

Theme 1: Removal of POPs from the environment of Mauritius

The objective of the assignment in theme 1 is to remove POPs from the environment of Mauritius in a sustainable way through disposal of obsolete POPs chemicals and decontamination of POPs-infested areas.

Theme 2: Develop Alternative and integrated Vector Control Strategies for Malaria

The objective of the assignment in theme 2 is to develop and demonstrate alternative strategies for malaria Vector management.

In order to raise the importance of the IVM activities in pilot villages, it is considered that special leadership is required from a dedicated position of National IVM Coordinator Assistant. This position will be a crucial enabling factor in the transitory phase because it will help utilizing the experiences of the Project, raising IVM on the national policy agenda, helping the rolling out the IVM concept to other villages in Mauritius. To assist in the implementation of the second component of the project, develop alternative and integrated vector control strategies for malaria, the UNDP has been requested to recruit an Integrated Vector Management Coordinator Assistant by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life. This position will require full time involvement of the aspiring candidates and therefore cannot be carried out on a part time basis.

Objectives:

Mauritius has in the past experienced catastrophic malaria epidemics, but after the completion of the malaria eradication program the country was declared malaria-free in 1973. Despite this success, the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis remains abundantly present, and outbreaks due to imported malaria cases do occur occasionally.

To prevent reintroduction of malaria, the country has a thorough system for malaria case management in place. Moreover, a number of vector control methods are implemented which include the use of DDT. MoHQL has decided to stop spreading DDT at port and airport areas; and pyrethroids are used alternatively. However, about 5 tons of DDT is kept as safeguard in in Pamplemousses, Powder Mill to cater for any epidemic of Malaria.

An Integrated Vector Management (IVM) Strategy has been introduced in 2009 and tested in eight pilot villages, namely Triolet, Morcellement St André, Grand Gaube & Esperance Trebuchet (from Pamplemousses/ Rivière du Rempart District); and St Julien, Bon Accueil, Poste de Flacq & Bois d’Oiseau, l’Aventure (from Moka/Flacq District).

Under this project, a series of workshops were organised to train district staff and local stakeholders on surveillance of vector mosquitoes. Several Reports/Paper were submitted related to IVM, training, Policy development and alternatives to DDT. Local IVM Committees were established to implement the IVM Strategy and a Central Data Management System has been designed.

A Longitudinal Impact study (LIS) is being carried out by a team from the University of Mauritius. The LIS team has submitted the first two interim reports and a case study. The final report will be submitted in June 2014.

In accordance with the foregoing, the objective of this assignment is to recruit an assistant to the IVM coordinator who is a dedicated full time staff at the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life. The assistant will be heavily involved on the ground and in dealing with stakeholders to mobilise the IVM committees, IVM volunteers and report on progress to the IVM Coordinator and the Project Management Team (MOHQL, MOESD, UNDP).

Duties and Responsibilities

The IVM Coordinator Assistant (IVMCA) will be recruited to provide technical support to the implementation of Theme 2 Activities. The task of the IVMCA will be to provide technical assistance to the IVM Coordinator nominated by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, IVM Committee, IVM Volunteers and stakeholders. In essence, the responsibility of the IVMCA is to ensure that the overall technical direction of the IVM campaign is maintained and flexibly adapted to meet the practical challenges faced during implementation.

The IVMCA will also discuss with the PM on any logistic and/or methodological issues to properly conduct his work in as independent way as possible given the circumstances and resources offered. It is important to note that the IVMCA is expected to fully abide by all Government and UNDP procedures in executing the assignment and seek all necessary clearances and authorisations.

Tasks:

Make regular fortnightly visits to each IVM pilot village (Triolet, Morcellement St André, L’Esperance Trebuchet, Grand Gaube, Bon Accueil, Bois D’Oiseau(L’Aventure), St Julien Village, Poste de Flacq);
Meet with each IVM volunteer, accompany them and give additional training and corrective advice as necessary on methods of surveillance. and data recording; also check field records to monitor work schedule;
Ensure implementation of appropriate Health Promotion activities;
Devise a user friendly data collection and reporting form in collaboration with VBCD;
Assist the IVM volunteers in producing summary statistics of vector surveillance sheets;
Copy and collect the summary statistics on vector surveillance (leaving the original sheets with the IVM volunteers) and submit to CDCU in a fortnightly basis with copy to UNDP and MOESD;
Transfer the summary data in the data management system or excel file, and prepare regular overviews of the local situation based on the data from all IVM villages;
Organise, convene and chair IVM Committee meetings at an agreed location on a monthly basis and minute the meeting in each IVM village, to provide an update of the national situation on vector-borne disease risk and needed actions; to ensure that the agenda is addressing all major issues and that appropriate actions are being planned; and to monitor the participation from committee members;
In the event of local disease transmission or disease outbreaks, coordinate with the representatives from the respective villages ensure that emergency meetings of IVM Committees are being held and that appropriate emergency measures by the District Council, Village Council and the community are being planned. The incumbent will have to work under the guidance of Ministry of Health and Quality of Life in case of emergency situations.
Submit monthly reports to respective Regional Health Offices, with copies to the heads of VBCD and CDCU. He will also have to submit notes of meetings, documentary evidences of work accomplished and also summarise whether the project is reaching its target or not and proposals he has to make. He should also provide orientations of constraints and improvements to be made;
Act as a resource person for any capacity building activity;
Assist as required in the organisation any workshop/training deemed necessary by the project team.

Competencies

Required skills:

Ability of clear communication and technical report writing;
Excellent negotiation skills;
Good leadership, facilitation and communication skills;
Good capacities for strategic thinking and planning;
Ability to establish priorities and to plan and coordinate complex work and a multi stakeholder project;
Willingness to work in a team with national and international experts;
Be Computer literate and have ability to use MS Word, Excel, Power Point.

Required Skills and Experience

Required qualifications and experience:

Education:

Degree and Post-graduate degree in agro-chemistry, entomology, biology or other relevant science based degree.

Experience:

Knowledgeable in matters pertaining to Public Health and Control activities;
At least one year experience in community-based activities;
Experience of non-POPs malaria vector control and approaches;
5 years working experience in fields related to theme 2;
Experience in delivering training to volunteers in similar fields.

Language:

The language of the assignment shall be English. All deliverables shall be in English language. The IVMCA will be required to communicate in Creole when dealing with the population. Therefore good knowledge of Creole and French is an advantage.

Institutional Arrangements:

The IVMCA will report to the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, the Project Manager at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, UNDP, and to the Steering Committee for which he/she will be required to attend meetings and make presentations as per requirement.

Duty Station:

The IVMCA duty station/location for the contract duration, will be the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, Vector Biology Control Division. In addition, the IVMCA is expected to visit the following places namely Triolet, Morcellement St André, Grand Gaube & Esperance Trebuchet (from Pamplemousses/ Rivière du Rempart District); and St Julien, Bon Accueil, Poste de Flacq & Bois d’Oiseau, l’Aventure (from Moka/Flacq District) as well as the Local Authorities where the villages are situated.

Outcomes:

An effective non-DDT based vector control program that will limit the chance of importing malaria and can deal with possible outbreaks.

Duration of the Work:

The assignment is expected to last from July/August to December 2014;
The target date and conditions for deliverables are included in the payment schedule below;
UNDP and Project Implementing Partners will require 1 week reviewing outputs, giving comments, certifying approval/acceptance of outputs, etc.;
As the Sustainable Management of POPs project is ending by 2014, any form of delay in the completion of the work may result in the termination of the assignment as per conditions of contract for IC holders.

Payment Schedule:

The IVMCA is expected to quote for an all inclusive Lump Sum Amount. This amount will be fixed regardless of changes in cost of components.
Deliverables will be the basis for the payment schedule. All reports will be submitted in draft (for comments) and then final following incorporations of all comments and suggestions by the reviewing team described in the Reporting section.

Payment of fees will be subject to the following schedule

Item a

Activity: Upon Signature of Contract;
Deadline: Start of contract July 2014;
Fees: 10%.

Item b

Activity: Inception Report – comprehensive and as per format to be given by the project management team;
Deadline: 29 August 2014;
Fees: 10% upon approval of report on activity (b).

Item c

Activity: Monthly fee based on progress report including the attendance sheets, results, observations; recommendations, payments to be approved, description of tasks, notes of meetings (IVM committees, and other meetings) and site visits etc. The reports will also include photos of site visits for each village visited.
Deadline: End of the next Calendar Month until end of 5th month of contract;
Fees: 15% upon approval of report on activity (c).

Item d

Activity: Any other technical assistance required within the framework of POPs project as requested by Project Management Unit;
Deadline: During the whole duration of contract;
Fees: 10% upon satisfactory technical assistance within the framework of POPs project as requested by Project Management Unit.

Item e

Activity: End of contract;
Deadline: 5 months from start of contract;
Fees: 10% upon submission of consolidated and final completion report on all activities undertaken.

Logistics:

The IVMCA is expected to provide his/her own computer, internet, transport facility, and camera for taking pictures. The IVMCA may also have to provide for flip charts and LCD projector. The Ministry of Health and Quality of Life may provide office facilities depending on availability.

Recommended Presentation of Offer:

The offers should include:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology (2 pages max), if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:

The Combined Scoring method will be where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%;

Important note:

Interested offeror is strongly advised to read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice, which can be viewed at http://www.mu.undp.org/content/mauritius_and_seychelles/en/home/operations/procurement/ for more detail about term of references, general terms and conditions of IC and templates to be included when submitting offer;
Interested offerors above the age of 62: UNDP regulations require, at their own cost, to undergo a full medical examination including x-rays. Medical evaluation documentation does not need to be submitted with the other requested documents listed above, but will be requested should the candidate be chosen;
Interested offeror is required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system, because the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system;
Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into ONE single file. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.