TB is a major public health challenge in the South-East Asia (SEA) Region of WHO. Over 43% of the global TB incidence and half the TB associated mortality is from SEA Region. Six of 11 countries in the Region are on the high TB burden country list.
The unprecedented political momentum gained for the global fight against TB provides a unique opportunity to translate policies into practice. Regional commitments towards ending TB were made through the Delhi Call for Action during the SEA Regional Ministerial meeting held in 2017 and followed up at the Delhi End-TB summit in 2018. Globally, the Moscow Declaration 2017 which emphasized the need for a multisectoral response and accountability framework, followed by the first ever UN High level meeting on TB in 2018 added further strength to the commitments and responses to end TB. SEAR has been in the forefront of advocacy to mobilize and drive national commitment on TB.
Going forward, the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia plans to establish a Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for TB (STAG-TB) to provide guidance on strategic directions, technical issues and policy formulation for the TB work in the Region. The formation of group is timed with the ongoing work on Regional Strategic Plan towards ending TB 2021-25.
Terms of references
The main goal of the STAG-TB is to provide independent review and technical input to the TB control policies, strategies and activities of the WHO Regional Office for the South-East Asia, facilitate the regional adoption and adaptation of the updated global recommendations. The STAG-TB will be expected to:
- Provide inputs for prioritization of strategies, approaches and interventions for the RSP 2021-25 to support achievement of End TB targets and milestones.
- Advise the Regional Office on aligning the RSP 2021-25 with a systems-strengthening approach and keeping in mind the vision of the universal health coverage.
- Advise the Regional Office in addressing the existing and preparing for the future challenges, adapting to the transitions in socio-economic conditions, epidemiology of diseases and demographic compositions.
- Recommend innovations required and, advise on research needs and newer initiatives required in the Region.
- Periodic review of the progress in implementation of the RSP 2021-25 and progress towards meeting the End TB milestones and targets.
- Participate in and contribute to the meetings of the National TB programme managers of the Region.
- Liaise with other such committees in WHO Regions for information exchange and updates.
Composition process and working of the Advisory Group
- The STAG-TB will have 10-12 members mostly from the Region but not limited within the Region.
- The members will be shortlisted on the basis of their demonstrated expertise in the field of TB control and standing among peers with a preference for Regional experience.
- Consideration will be given to attaining an adequate technical distribution of expertise, geographical representation and gender balance.
- Appointment will be for a period of two years with possible reappointment in view of significant contribution during the active term.
- The Technical Unit for TB in the SEA Regional Office will function as the Secretariat of the STAG-TB and shall provide the necessary administrative, scientific, technical and other support for the STAG-TB.
- The Chairperson of the STAG-TB will be proposed by the Secretariat and endorsed by the Group during the occasion of its first meeting and subsequently when STAG is reconstituted after the completion of initial two years tenure.
- Members must respect the impartiality and independence required of WHO.
- The STAG-TB shall meet at least once a year physically or virtually. WHO may convene additional meetings on an ad hoc basis, if required.
- All recommendations from the STAG-TB will be advisory in nature and WHO will retain the authority to accept the recommendations or not and can decide subsequent decisions or actions regarding any proposals and policy issues.
Members are being sought who have expertise in at least two of the following essential technical areas:
Technical areas:
- Programmatic Management of drug sensitive and drug-resistant TB,
- Programmatic management of TB preventive treatment
- Clinical experience with TB including paediatric and HIV-infected patients
- Patient support, nursing care and case holding strategies
- TB Laboratory, Infection control
- Epidemiology, surveillance and information systems
- Communication and Advocacy
- Developing and/or reviewing regional and national strategic plans
- Public Health expert in UHC, health economic, social determinants of health and social protection
Members can also be from following constituencies:
- Technical/implementing agencies and partners
- Civil Society Organizations /patient representatives
- Private sector health care providers
- Academia and research institutions
- Member States health authorities involved in TB care, prevention and research
Experiences:
- A minimum of 10 years of working with TB care and prevention at national and/or international levels;
- Over 5 years of practical experience in implementing and/or advising on key areas of TB care and prevention particularly in the high TB priority countries including in the WHO South-East Asia Region;
Language: Fluency in English is required.
Closing date of applications: 24 February 2021 (Deadline extended)
How to apply for membership of SEAR Technical Working Group TB?
Interested individuals are invited to send their applications to Dr Mukta Sharma, Regional Advisor-TB at [email protected] with copy to Dr Partha Pratim Mandal [email protected] and Ms Shweta Verma [email protected]
Application to contain the following:
- A cover letter indicating your motivation to apply and how you satisfy the selection criteria for membership of SEAR Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for TB (STAG-TB);
- Your updated curriculum vitae and
- Signed and completed Declaration of Interests (DOI) form for WHO Experts, available at https://www.who.int/about/ethics/declarations-of-interest.
Applicants should emphasize relevant TB experience in their covering letter and highlight the area(s) of technical expertise and the constituencies represented. If an applicant is applying to represent a constituency, their application will be strengthened by evidence that they have backing from the respective constituency. Experts who are employed, if select to the STAG-TB, will be expected to furnish no-objection certificate from their respective organization.