WHO request for assistance on IPC for Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa (Guinea and Sierra Leone)
Dear colleague,
As you may be aware, WHO is responding to the Ebola virus disease outbreaks in West Africa.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/
We have activated the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) and are requesting
for assistance to enable WHO to help the affected countries to control the disease outbreak. We
have been asked to identify specialists in the area of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC),
preferably with experience of IPC for outbreak preparedness and/or response.
We would like to explore with you whether you are interested and willing to support us. Please find
attached a proposed Terms of Reference for your potential mission to an affected area in Guinea or
Sierra Leone. If you agree, we’d be grateful if you could send us an updated CV as well as a
telephone number and/or skype name so that we can contact you at your earliest convenience.
For your information, the final decision for deployment involves a process of consultation within
WHO and with the affected country. If an agreement for deployment is reached, it shall take place
under GOARN and we would process a contract for you to travel as a World Health Organization
short term consultant (WHO STC). The contract is for insurance purposes only with no consultancy
fee or remuneration. GOARN would cover your air tickets and per diem only.
Kind regards,
Dr Constanza Vallenas
Infection Prevention and Control in the context of outbreaks
Medical Officer
Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases
HSE/PED
Tel. direct: +41 22 791 4143
Fax direct: +41 22 791 4666 / 4667
Mail: vallenasc@who.int
World Health Organization
20, avenue Appia
CH-1211 Geneva 27
Tel: +41 22 791 2111
Fax: +41 22 791 3111
Visit WHO at: www.who.int
Proposed Terms of Reference
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Specialist
Guinea and Sierra Leone
I.
Background/Rationale
Guinea and Sierra Leone have notified WHO of a rapidly evolving outbreak of Ebola virus disease
in forested areas of south-eastern Guinea, and epi-linked cases also confirmed in Sierra Leone.
WHO has been requested to support the outbreak response, including specifically in the area of
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).
II.
Responsibilities
III.
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In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, under the supervision of the WHO Country
Representative, and the WHO outbreak response team leader, to conduct the following activities:
1. Work in coordination with the Ebola outbreak response team to ensure IPC priorities and
activities are managed effectively within the overall outbreak response and in line with
WHO IPC guidelines (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/).
2. Assess IPC capacities and practices in hospitals and health care facilities in the area current
directly affected by the outbreak. Identify needs for further assessment based on this
revision.
3. Review the IPC measures implemented in the affected areas and advise on prevention of
healthcare-associated infections in healthcare settings within the affected health zones.
4. Review training needs, and based on this assessment, conduct training in IPC for staff at
district hospitals, and health facilities according to the review of IPC measures.
5. Report to MoH /WHO international outbreak response team on findings, and activities, and
advise on effective and feasible IPC activities in areas affected by the outbreaks.
6. Provide guidance on immediate IPC policies, resources, equipment and training needed for
central, provincial and district level hospitals in order to ensure adequate preparations for
response if the outbreak spreads to others health zones.
7. Outline elements of a National Infection and Control Strategy in regards to measures
pertaining to enhancement of Standard Precautions mainly for Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers,
and identify activities that can be rapidly implemented.
8. Support the Ministry of Health in documenting the outbreak and response activities.
Candidate
Education and special training: 1) National Board certificate in nursing, medicine, microbiology
or pharmacist and, specialty qualification in Infection Prevention and Control, e.g. infection
control nurse, doctor or pharmacist, OR 2) University degree in nursing, medicine, microbiology
or epidemiology, or public health with post graduate training in the area of Infection Prevention
and Control.
Experience: Extensive experience in developing, implementing and evaluating infection and
prevention control policies, procedures and tools in low resource settings, and outbreak
response.
Knowledge, abilities and skills: Proven knowledge and skills in infection prevention and control,
rapid assessment techniques; excellent interpersonal skills; strong organizational skills; and an
ability to work effectively in multicultural environment.
Languages: English and/or French.