Consultant (COVID-19 Laboratory Accreditation)

Position Title : Consultant (COVID-19 Laboratory Accreditation)

Duty Station : IOM Philippines Country Office (Zamboanga City)

Classification : Consultant

Type of Appointment : Consultancy, Two Months

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 19 October 2022

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programmes of the IOM Sub-Office (Cotabato City), direct supervision of Head of Satellite Office (Zamboanga City) and technical supervision of the Head of Migration Health (Cotabato City), the consultant (Category B) will be primarily responsible to work closely with the project team.

Nature of Consultancy: The purpose of the consultancy is to facilitate the COVID-19 Laboratory accreditation to DOH through Compilation, Documentation, and Submission of the requirements for the application of license to operate.

Background

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is implementing the project that aims to improve prevention and control on COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in remote and geographically disadvantaged communities in BARMM. This will be done through an establishment of at least one COVID-19 PCR testing laboratory in the selected health facility. The laboratory may also serve as a diagnostic platform for Tuberculosis and other prevailing infectious diseases in the province. IOM conducted assessments on key health facilities in BARMM to identify most significant needs, technical feasibility, and sustainability to establish COVID-19 PCR testing laboratory in close consultation with MOH-BARMM and IPHOs. Apart from the vulnerability and needs of the community, assessment have also taken into consideration appropriateness of the facility and its location to set up and operate a laboratory, including power supply and logistical situation, as well as level of commitment demonstrated by the health facility. Based on the assessment results, the project has selected the health facility of Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, BARMM which will also be provided with essential biosafety equipment and testing appliances required for the facility to set up COVID-19 PCR testing laboratory and safely perform the testing in the laboratory. Under Administrative Order No. 2020-0014 A, accreditation of the facility is subject to self-assessment and further on-site assessment by DOH, which has authority to permit COVID-19 PCR testing laboratories in the country and will provide detailed inputs on areas of improvement for setting up a laboratory in the selected health facility.

IOM Project to which the Consultancy is contributing: As part of this project, the consultant shall contribute to the Migration Health Unit under the project Driving Marawi’s Rehabilitation through IDP Support, Community Development and Peaceful Transitional Action with the support from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

The consultant (Category B) will be primarily responsible to work closely with the project team to draw out the following:

1. Assist in liaising with the National Regulatory Authorities on behalf of IPHO Tawi-Tawi and Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital

• Provide assistance to acquire legitimate status for establishment and operation of the SARS-CoV-2 laboratory of Datu Halun Sukilan Hospital;
• Timely advise IPHO on necessary changes in the regulations;
• Liaise with the national partners on the external laboratory Quality Assurance Programme (QAP) provision, if required;

1. Provide technical assistance as may be requested by IOM for laboratory activities undertaken within the scope of DOH policy guidelines and memorandum Administrative Order No. 2020-0014 A “Guidelines in Securing a License to Operate a COVID-19 Testing Laboratory in the Philippines” and other guidelines

• Review implemented procedures and advise improvements;
• Assist in development, validation, and review of documents such as SOPs which shall encompass required information of the DOH as part of accreditation process;
• Consolidate documents and reports related to requirements;
• Assist in organizing equipment maintenance programme;

1. Facilitate development of Quality Assurance Programme for Datu Halun Sakilan Memorial Hospital’s SARS-CoV-2 laboratory

• Review and verify records of quality processes and procedure at agreed intervals;
• Participate in quality control activities;

1. Provide recommendations and explore strategies to expedite accreditation process;
2. Identify and recommend other organizational or administrative capacity building needs and sustainability plans based on self-assessment conducted, in addition to the technical trainings to be provided by DOH;

• Support in the provision of capacity building needs and plans.

The intervention will require close coordination with the IPHO Tawi-Tawi and will be parallel to the construction of the laboratory. The tools and equipment will be procured for the facility in compliance with the standards and requirements by DOH-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and DOH-Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB). With reference to the consultant’s experience and expertise in establishing a COVID-19 testing laboratory, he/she will also provide technical guidance to the team in the specification requirement for COVID-19 laboratory.

Tangible and Measurable Outputs of the Work Assignment

The duration of the consultant contract will be 40 working days (optimally within 2 months) including both field visits and desk work from the signing of the contract. Deliverables are to be performed in accordance with the following indicative schedule:

Category B Consultant hired to deliver an output on a three-installment payment basis

• First payment – 30% upon signing of the contract
• Second payment – 40% upon submission of the draft report
• Final payment – 30% upon submission of the final report

Realistic Delivery Dates and Details as to how the work must be delivered

• First deliverable – Submission of the consolidated requirements and SOPs – First installment payment – Deliverable by email on or before 25 November 2022
• Second deliverable – Submission of final and complete accreditation requirements with inputs from DOH, and recommendations on other capacity building needs and final sustainability plans – Deliverable by email on or before 30 December 2022

Performance indicators for evaluation results

• In close coordination and communication with the project team, the technicality of the work will be evaluated upon submission of output.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in medical technology, biomedical science, public health, medicine, epidemiology, or any health-related field from an academic institution.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experiences;
• Extensive knowledge on laboratory accreditation, supervision, management, and other relevant areas in the development of Standard Operating Procedures, assessments and referrals;
• Familiar with WHO and DOH National standards on Laboratory accreditation and management;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both Filipino and English;
• Experience in liaising with governmental health authorities and local health communities, as well as regional and international health institutions is preferable;
• Familiarity with the context of BARMM, especially in the BaSulTa Provinces

Skills

• Capacity to work together with a broad range of stakeholders including government, private sector, community members, and civil societies
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent writing and communication skills

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Filipino is required; knowledge of another BARMM local language is of advantage.

Travel required

The consultant is expected to conduct onsite assessments, consultations, and planning with relevant stakeholders and communities.

Note

The consultant must adhere to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Data Protection Principles (IN/138) and maintain confidentiality.

The consultant will be responsible to follow IOM writing guidelines and latest glossaries in all given assignments for accurate translation.

IOM is an intergovernmental organization, and as such is exempted of all taxes in the Philippines. Therefore, it is not obligated to retain any taxes that should be owed to the Government of the Philippines as part of the execution of this contract. It is the sole responsibility of the contractor to comply with any fiscal obligations that might be applicable.

Copyright

The ownership of intellectual products developed during this project will be shared with the government entities partaking in its creation, as well as IOM’s regional office. Government agencies and the cooperating agency must be warranted visibility and recognition, through the use of their logos in every document and any other material that might be a result of these intellectual production. Applications received later or that do not specify the name of the call will not be considered.

Required Competencies

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 1

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

The appointment is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

No late applications will be accepted.