Medical Trainer (Consultant)
Background
Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is a five-year global project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by FHI360. EpiC receives funding to prevent, prepare for, respond to and bolster health systems. Currently, EpiC and its consortium members implement activities in more than 60 countries across the world. EpiC delivers high-quality technical assistance at the community, facility, district, regional and national levels, and builds relationships with relevant partners. Our ability to respond quickly to program, technical and procurement needs leverage our deep bench of country-based clinical, program, and community experts. EpiC now seeks to leverage existing partnerships and opportunities for collaboration to accelerate the emergency response to Mpox, formally known as Monkeypox. with a focus on priority areas such as risk communication and community engagement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern in response to a global outbreak. Mpox is a virus spread through close skin-to-skin physical contact with infected individuals, suggesting potential increased vulnerability of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and other members of key population groups. However, anyone can acquire and transmit the Mpox virus (MPV), and stigma with respect to specific population groups threatens to undermine the global Mpox response. As of January 2023, 110 countries have reported more than 84,415 confirmed cases of Mpox – with infections being reported in countries that have not historically reported Mpox infections including Jamaica.
FHI 360/EpiC will be working in collaboration with Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL) and Health Connect Jamaica (HCJ). JASL is a leading civil society partner in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Jamaica with 31 years of experience working with key populations including MSM, sex workers (SWs), persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS; and has expanded its programmes to meet the specific demands of trans women. The services of the organisation are delivered island-wide through the central administration at its head office and three chapters – Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.
HCJ consists of a network of private clinicians, laboratories, and pharmacies that provide confidential, affordable and quality HIV services. HCJ was established in November 2019 as a special project within the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. The verarching aim of HCJ is to increase the access to, and utilization of primary health care services related to HIV, among private providers. While HCJ’s services will be accessible to the general population, HCJ will primarily target the most vulnerable groups of individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford private health care.
This collaboration, which will be done through USAID funding, now requires the services of a Medical Training Consultant to work in partnership with the HCJ and JASL to adapt existing materials and resources to train facility and community-based healthcare service providers, especially those that work with MSM and other vulnerable groups.
Qualifications, Experience & Competencies
- Minimum of a first degree in Medicine, Surgery, or a related field with at least five (5) years related professional experience;
- Experience working with Non-Government Organizations and/or other Government health focused entities is an asset;
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Jamaican health sector and international best practices;
- Excellent research skills, including desk research and interviewing skills as well
as critical reasoning, analysis skills; - Strong written and oral communication skills; the incumbent must be proficient
in English.
Objective and scope of work
Through this consultancy, EpiC aims to engage a Medical Training Consultant to
support the training and capacity building of clinical and non-clinical workers
through the adaptation and development of training tools and materials for private
and community-based healthcare providers in Jamaica. The consultant will:
- Participate in prescribed training of trainers’ activities
- Conduct desk review of relevant literature to inform adaptation of existing
approved training tools to include local Mpox guidelines from the Ministry of
Health and Wellness (MOHW)
- Participate in prescribed training of trainers’ activities;
- Conduct desk review of relevant literature to inform adaptation of existing
approved training tools to include local Mpox guidelines from the Ministry of
Health and Wellness (MOHW); - Deliver training programs developed to targeted healthcare providers as well
as community-based providers - Reinforce and provide continued education on Infection Prevention
and Control (IPC) measures among healthcare workers and
community-based teams. - Provide technical support to strengthen timely reporting of Mpox cases and
help sensitize the existing cadre of contact investigators in Mpox tracking and
reporting.
Deliverables
- Participation in designated training or trainer activities;
- Adaptation of training tools and training resources to suit the Jamaican context for private and community-based healthcare providers;
- Deliver training sessions to selected private and community-based healthcare providers;
- Observe and provide feedback to trainings conducted by trained medical
professionals (one for private sector and one for community-based practitioners); - Develop SOP for the timely reporting of monkeypox cases and sensitize the existing cadre of contact investigators in Mpox tracking and reporting.
Characteristics of the Consultancy
-
Type of Consultancy
The work will be carried out by an individual consultant who is an experienced medical practitioner. The individual must have expert level understanding of infectious disease management and training development. -
Reporting Relationship
The consultant will report to the Senior Program Officer at FHI 360/EpiC and liaise with designated representatives from the HCJ and JASL. -
Expected Duration and Level of Effort (LOE)
The expected duration of the engagement is for 12 days over a period of 3 months, commencing in February 2023.
Evaluation Criteria
Responses will be evaluated using the following criteria (Evaluation Criteria & Total Possible Score - TPS);
1. Relevant Academic Qualification
TPS - 40
2. Expert level understanding of infectious disease management and training development.
TPS - 20
3. At least five years’ relevant experience in the Jamaican health sector
TPS - 20
4. Prior experience in developing and delivering medical training
TPS - 20
Note
Interested persons should submit their CVs and biodata form via email to jamaica.epicprocurement@fhi360.org by midnight on February 12, 2023. Email subject line must include “Medical Trainer.”
We appreciate all interest in this opportunity, but please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Contact
Base Salary: Undisclosed