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Job Summary

1. Programme Background
The Technical Cooperation Programme to the Ministry of Public Health (TCPH) is funded by the European Union and implemented by GIZ and consortium partners m4health and SRTRO. The overall objective is to support the MoPH in the strengthening of its technical and managerial capacity to steer and manage the provision of health care services and to develop the Afghan public health system. Within the framework of TCPH, technical assistance is being provided in four major components: (1) improving the quality of health care by the establishment of a comprehensive quality assurance system (2) improvement of hospital management at all levels, including the development and revision of standardised hospital service packages, (3) the strengthening of system governance and (4) improved planning and implementation of specific health programmes for vulnerable population groups.
This NKE assignment refers to TCPH Component 4 (Special Programmes), Result 4.3: Drug Demand Reduction (DDR)
2. Rationale for TA
The high level of opium production, easy availability of drugs, decades of war, high rates of migration to neighbouring countries and remigration, prevailing instability, insecurity and widespread poverty and unemployment are some of the factors leading to high and ever increasing drug use in Afghanistan. It is estimated that there are presently 3.4 Million drug users in Afghanistan, and despite considerable progress in recent years, treatment services are still limited. The Afghan constitution is committed to the fight against drugs, and since 2001 drug demand and harm reduction strategies and structures have been in place to address the country’s drug problems.
Drug demand reduction requires a multi-sectoral approach and the cooperation of many ministries and institutions. An overall policymaking and coordinating role as well as monitoring and evaluation of counter-narcotics activities has been attributed to the Ministry of Counter-Narcotics (MCN). The MoPH is responsible for the implementation of drug demand reduction programmes and therapy. The responsible Department in the MoPH is the Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) Directorate. DDR is structured as a vertical health programme, not integrated in BPHS and EPHS. The MoPH has requested support from an NKE to develop a national DDR implementation strategy with a specific focus on treatment strategies. The national DDR strategy of the MoPH will be based on the national DDR Policy (2012 – 2016) of the MCN, which has recently expired and is presently under review. Primary responsibility for the revision lies with the MCN supported by an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism, with representatives of the MoPH and a number of other relevant ministries and institutions being involved. Based on the revision, the NKE is required to develop an updated DDR implementation strategy for the MoPH. This task refers to activity 4.3.9 of the TCPH work plan, and 15 working days have been allocated for this purpose.
Within the framework of support to the DDR department, the TCPH work plan includes another priority task, namely the establishment of a surveillance system. To date, data on drug use in

Duties & Responsibilities

3. Objective
The objective of the NKE is to support the DDR Department of the MoPH. As a first step, this will include:
a. to develop a revised national DDR strategy based on the revised national DDR policy of the MCN. This strategy will serve as a reference and guideline for DDR programme implementation with a strong focus on therapy
b. to conceptualise a data base on drug use in order to lay the foundation for a computerised drug use surveillance system.
4. Role of the Technical Assistance
The technical assistance (TA) will work closely with management and staff within the Ministry of Public Health, and, on a day-to-day basis, report to, and work directly with, the Director, DDR. The conceptualisation of the database requires close coordination with the GD HMIS.
The TA will be accountable for grounding her/his services in the following principles:

Respect for Afghan Ownership and Mutual Accountability. The TA will build on existing Afghan knowledge and ideas, utilise personnel and resources already in place, and will make maximum use of local experts and country systems. TA services to MoPH are demand driven and will be supported by MoPH through an enabling environment for effective capacity development.

Alignment with Afghan Policies and International Principles on Effective Capacity Development. The provision of TA will be provided in accordance with existing Afghan policies and strategies that are in accordance with internationally recognised best practices for TA to, effectively, build local capacity.

Sustainability. The primary purpose of TA is not to fill gaps, but to provide a strategic guide and service, integral to capacity development. TA will, normally, focus on contributing to capacity building of the relevant staff through coaching and realising short-term results from which longer term learning can build upon.
5. Reporting and Working Conditions
On a day-to-day basis, the NKE will report to the Director, DDR, MoPH.
The NKE will report, contractually, to the Programme Team Leader.
The NKE will work with management and staff within the Ministry of Public Health. Specifically, the NKE will work directly with the Director, DDR and his team.
The MoPH will provide working space for the NKE within the Ministry building, preferably located with DDR staff.

6. Responsibilities and Tasks
1.) Development of a revised national DDR implementation strategy
The NKE is responsible for the development of a revised DDR strategy for the MoPH. This includes, but is not limited to, consideration of issues such as:

Assess relevant policy papers generated by the MCN and MoPH, with special attention being given to the national DDR Policy 2012 – 2016 and its review.

Assess and review existing treatment strategies.

Recommend necessary modifications/additions to the existing national DDR implementation strategy.

Organise a consensus building workshop on proposed revisions

Draft a revised national DDR implementation strategy including a revised treatment strategy, and submit it for approval.
2.) Establishment of a drug use surveillance system
The NKE is responsible for the development of a conceptual framework for the establishment of a drug use database. This includes, but is not limited to, consideration of issues such as:

Identify objectives for the database.

Identify types of information needed to feed the database

Coordinate with the HMIS department and ensure that the information required by HMIS is included in the database

Develop a framework for data collection and analysis as a basis for computerisation of the surveillance system.

Organise a consensus building process for the concept and introduction of the surveillance system

Draft a conceptual framework for the database and submit it for approval.
7. Deliverables

A draft DDR implementation strategy for the MoPH with special emphasis on treatment strategies.

A conceptual framework for the establishment of a drug use surveillance system.

A Trip Report, using the TCPH standard Trip Report template, will be submitted to the TCPH Team Leader a minimum of one day before the final day of the TA contract.

Job Requirements

8. Qualifications, Skills and Experience
A degree in Medical Science, or equivalent, from a recognised university. A postgraduate degree in public health, epidemiology or equivalent is desirable
A minimum of 10 years professional experience working in drug demand reduction with a sound knowledge of harm reduction, prevention and treatment, detoxification and substitution therapy);
Must be well-versed in the Afghanistan drug control strategy, counter narcotics law, the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, and the structure of the Afghanistan MoPH and public health system.
Should have knowledge and experience in research, data base management, HMIS;
If an international person is recruited, because no national is suitable or available, the person should have previously worked in Afghanistan or at least in the region.
This TA is determined for a senior, Non-Key Expert position.
9. Selection Criteria
Essential:

A degree in Medical Science or equivalent;

A minimum of 10 years professional experience in working with drug addicts (drug use prevention and drug treatment);

Sound knowledge of the Afghanistan drug control policy, legal framework on drug use, structures and policies of the MoPH

Experiences in data management, MIHS, applied research

Good communication and management skills

Ability to think strategically, with excellent planning skills

Has an excellent command of written and spoken English

Has skills in the use of computer technology
Desirable:

Working experience in Afghanistan or the region

Postgraduate degree (MPH or equivalent)

Experience in development cooperation

Has good Links with international professional platforms and networks, and the ability to provide access to these networks/platforms for DDR department staff.

Submission Guideline

Please submit your detailed CV

Functional Area

Consulting

Countries

Submission Email

zanga.sadiq@m4health.pro

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