Introduction

The Fleming Fund (FF) is a U.K. Department of Health and Social Care programme to help low and middle-income countries fight Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). AMR poses a severe global threat, expected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050. With potential costs reaching $100 trillion, its impact on the global economy is significant. Fleming Fund Grants aim to tackle the AMR challenge in developing countries including Pakistan. The grants are funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care and managed by Mott MacDonald for the country, regional and fellowship grants. Pakistan has received Fleming Fund support since 2019 in the form of two Country Grants, 9 Fellowships, and central and local procurement of equipment, reagents, and consumables. Between 2017 and the end of phase-1 of the program in March 2023, the program has provided financial support to grantees to establish and support local development of national AMR surveillance systems.

In partnership with the Fleming Fund, DAI's programme in Pakistan collaborates with the Pakistani government to strengthen systems using a “One Health” (OH) approach – a multisectoral approach to complex health problems that reaches across human health, animal health, and environment sectors. As global leaders in One Health, the DAI team helps incorporate One Health across programme interventions. DAI is helping Pakistan become a leader in combating antimicrobial resistance, and a model for better management of antimicrobials in human and animal populations. DAI and its consortium partners have successfully secured an additional round, Phase 2, of the Fleming Fund Country Grant in Pakistan which spans from January 2024 to December 2025. The Phase 2 of the FFCG programme focuses on achieving four intermediate outcomes: 1) Production of quality AMR/U/C and burden of disease data; 2) Conducting quality data analysis; 3) Sharing quality data analysis with decision-makers; and 4) Contributing to sustainable investments at both the country and global levels to counter AMR.

Position Summary

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has initiated working under a project titled ‘Strengthening IPC, HCAI Surveillance, and IDSR Across 100 Tertiary Care Hospitals in Pakistan’. The Fleming Fund Country Grant Pakistan will provide Technical Assistance to the NIH for developing IPC and WASH SOPs, and training modules and curricula.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Support the revision of the National IPC Guidelines, especially focusing on WASH, ensuring alignment with national guidelines, WHO standards, and global best practices.
2. Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and standards for IPC & WASH, such as hand hygiene, waste management, safe environment, and isolation protocols.
3. Create IPC Training Modules and Curriculum addressing hand hygiene, AMR, and HCAI surveillance.
4. Pilot training materials, gather feedback, and finalize modules.
5. Provide technical support for integrating IPC training into medical and nursing education systems.
6. Finalize updated IPC Guidelines, SOPs, Training Modules, and Curriculum.
7. Submit detailed training reports with evaluations and feedback summaries.
8. Develop /update the WASH National standards.

Contract Duration: Six months, starting from January 2025.

Application: Interested candidates should submit the following by 18th December 2024:

1. Cover letter highlighting

a) relevant experience, achievements, and suitability for the role,

b) Confirmation of availability for the consultancy duration, and

c) Expected remuneration, clearly stated.

2. Updated CV with academic qualifications, professional experience, and references

Required Qualifications:
• MBBS with advanced degree in Public Health or Healthcare Management (MPH or MSc preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in public health, Postgraduation in Infectious Disease/Clinical medicine preferred.
• Experience in developing guidelines, SOPs, capacity building & health system strengthening strategies.
• Expertise in designing training materials for healthcare professionals.
• Strong knowledge of WHO IPC guidelines and M&E framework.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills