TERMS OF REFERENCE
FOR SPECIAL SERVICE AGREEMENT
POSITION TITLE:
Two consultants: (i) Public Health specialist, and (ii)
Partnership specialist, for support to the consultative
process on strengthening national One Health
coordination and development of Terms of Reference
(TOR) for the national One Health platform (National)
DURATION:
12 working days each; August, 2014 through October,
2014
DUTY STATION:
Ha Noi, Viet Nam
1) GENERAL BACKGROUND
In recent years there has been increasing global attention to the risk of new, re-emerging and
recurring infectious diseases (often referred to generally as emerging infectious diseases, or EIDs) in
humans, livestock and wild animals arising at the human-animal-ecosystem interface, which have
the potential for substantial, rapid and extremely far-reaching consequences to human health,
livelihoods, economic development and many other issues.
Intensive global efforts in response to specific EID outbreaks, together with growing global
understanding of wider risks based on on-going research and technical and policy exchanges have
led to consensus on the need for a coordinated One Health approach at the global, regional and
national levels. The application of a One Health approach recognizes that the health of humans, the
health of animals (including livestock, wildlife and other animals), and the environmental health of
ecosystems are inextricably linked. Accordingly, a One Health approach to infectious disease threats
at the human-animal-ecosystem interface aims to bring together the key related actors across
multiple sectors and disciplines to identify potential public health risks related to infectious disease
and to undertake aligned and coordinated prevention and control actions.
The tropical Asia region in which Viet Nam is located has been identified as one of five
global “hot spots” with a significantly heightened risk for the emergence of new infectious disease
pathogens, including those that may arise from livestock, wild animals or the environment. EIDs
that have impacted Viet Nam over the past decade include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS), Avian Influenza A(H5N1) and pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009. During the same
period, livestock diseases have caused significant economic impacts, and some of these have also
posed risks to human health. Human and livestock interactions with wildlife have also been
identified as a potential risk. In a globalized world, other current or future zoonotic EID outbreaks
arising outside Viet Nam may also pose a risk to the country.
Over the past decade, two key national steering committees have brought together key
ministries and official organizations to respond to emerging infectious diseases in humans and
animals: the National Steering Committee on Avian Influenza Prevention and Control (NSCAI),
established in 2004, and the National Steering Committee on Human Pandemic Influenza
Prevention and Control (NSCHP), which was originally established as the National SARS
Committee in 2003. In addition, the Partnership on Avian and Human Influenza (PAHI) was
established in 2006 with 26 national and international signatories with the objective of supporting
coordination of national and international efforts in Viet Nam within the framework of the National
Integrated Operational Program on Avian and Human Influenza (OPI), 2006-2010.
In line with the Hanoi Declaration adopted at the International Ministerial Conference on
Animal and Pandemic Influenza (IMCAPI) in Hanoi in 2010, the Government of Viet Nam
developed the National Integrated Operational Program on Avian Influenza, Pandemic
Preparedness and Emerging Infectious Diseases (AIPED), 2011-2015. The AIPED signalled the
Government of Viet Nam’s intention to apply a One Health approach and called for the design of
the PAHI Partnership to be revised to take account the broader One Health objectives of the AIPED
compared to the previous OPI.
The 2nd National One Health Conference organized in Hanoi in April 2013 reaffirmed the
need for enhanced national One Health coordination, including the following recommendations:
•
Refiguring of the PAHI Partnership and Secretariat as an overall supporting mechanism for
coordination of One Health in Viet Nam, with a new name and engagement of a wider set of
stakeholders. Continuing support from international partners for the Partnership mechanism
in future.
In order to continue strengthening One Health coordination in Viet Nam, it is proposed that
the PAHI Partnership would evolve to become a national One Health platform, bringing together
national and international governmental and non-governmental One Health stakeholders under the
leadership of the Government of Viet Nam.
The design and development of Terms of Reference (TOR) for the national One Health
platform will be done by the Government of Viet Nam through a consultative approach involving
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the Ministry of Health (MOH) as
well as other ministries such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE)
and other relevant national and international partners including academic, civil society and the
private sector.
2) OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The purpose of this assignment is to facilitate and support strengthening national One Health
coordination through a consultative process and drafting of the TOR for the new national One
Health platform, which will build on and broaden the focus of the existing Partnership for Avian
and Human Influenza.
3) SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFIC TASKS
The two national consultants are expected to work together and to cooperate with relevant
departments within MARD and MOH, MONRE, and with other national and international
stakeholders to collect comments and recommendations from related stakeholders via meetings and
consultations with experts; to support the organization of a national consultation workshop on
strengthening national One Health coordination; and to support MARD and MOH to complete the
drafting of the TOR, reflecting these stakeholder consultations.
Specific tasks:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Briefing and review of key reference documents (3 days)
Interviewing key stakeholders (2 days)
Supporting the facilitation of the stakeholders consultation workshop (2 days)
Preparing the draft TOR in English and Vietnamese (2 days)
Presentation of the draft TOR to a small group of key stakeholders, and receiving comments
(1 days)
6. Revision and submission of the final draft TOR in both English and Vietnamese (2 days)
4) DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTY STATION AND EXPECTED PLACES OF
TRAVEL
•
•
Total duration of assignment is 12 days during the period August through October, 2014.
Duty station: Ha Noi, Vietnam
5) FINAL PRODUCTS
The two consultants will be responsible to cooperate together to produce the following final
products:
-
Consultation workshop on strengthening national One Health coordination
Final draft TOR for the national One Health platform (in both Vietnamese and English)
6) PROVISION OF MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROLS
The assignment will have the following monitoring and progress controls:
•
•
•
Review of the plan for the consultation activities (individual consultations with key
stakeholders; stakeholder consultation workshop)
Review of the draft TOR
Review of the final TOR
7) DEGREE OF EXPERTISE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Public Health specialist
•
•
An advanced degree and a minimum of 15 years of proven experience in public health,
including experience on coordination of complex, multi-sectoral programmes and ODA
assistance or related areas.
Strong networks and experience working with the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Partnership specialist
•
•
An advanced degree and a minimum of 15 years of proven experience in public sector and
ODA partnerships, development effectiveness, development coordination or related areas.
Strong networks and experience working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development (MARD). In addition, experience working with the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Rural Development (MONRE) will be positively assessed.
Both consultants
•
•
•
•
•
Demonstrated understanding of key issues related to a One Health approach to emerging
infectious diseases (EIDs).
Relevant experience working with national partnerships and networks, sectoral and crosssectoral thematic issues and international cooperation activities in Viet Nam.
Capacity to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
Excellent writing skills in Vietnamese and experience in preparation of assessment reports
and recommendations.
Fluent in spoken and written Vietnamese and English.
8) ADMIN SUPPORTS AND REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Provision of admin support:
•
•
Support with introductions and meeting arrangements with key stakeholders will be provided
by the project.
Logistical support for the stakeholder consultation workshop will be provided by the project.
Reference documents:
•
•
•
•
•
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AIPED 2011-2015
PAHI Partnership Framework, November 2006
Enhancing Coordination on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Viet Nam: recommendations
based on review of national Avian and Pandemic Influenza coordination mechanisms, May
2013
Preliminary mapping of One Health stakeholders and projects in Viet Nam, April 2013
Examples of other Partnerships (e.g. Viet Nam National Forum on Disaster Risk Reduction)
Report on 2nd National One Health Conference, April 2013
9) REVIEW TIME REQUIRED AND PAYMENT TERM
Payment will be made on completion of assignment deliverables as follows:


20% of contract value based on acceptance of the work plan
80% of contract value based on acceptance of all required deliverables.
10) CONSULTANT PRESENCE REQUIRED ON DUTY STATION/UNDP PREMISES
NONE
PARTIAL
INTERMITTENT
X FULL-TIME