Name for Specialists: Regional Validation Committee (RVC) on the Elimination of Mom-to-Baby Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B

Issued on:  30/04/2024

Deadline: 28/05/2024

The World Well being Group (WHO) is in search of consultants to function members one of many Regional Validation Committee (RVC) on the Elimination of Mom-to-Baby Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B. This “Name for consultants” gives details about the advisory group in query, the knowledgeable profiles being sought, the method to precise curiosity, and the method of choice.

Background

The worldwide group has dedicated to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a public well being precedence. The aim of the elimination purpose is to make sure the provision of high quality reproductive and maternal and little one well being (MCH) providers to cut back and management the transmission of HIV, syphilis and HBV between moms and their offspring and to offer the perfect accessible remedy to the mom, such that new infections are decreased to a really low stage and ceases to be a public well being concern.

The World Well being Group (WHO) launched the primary version of the rule of thumb for world validation of elimination of mother-to-child (eMTCT) transmission HIV and syphilis in 2014. The steerage was additional up to date in 2017 to incorporate revised validation standards for eMTCT of HIV, an expanded description of the surveillance case definition of congenital syphilis, standards for analysis of human rights, gender equality and group engagement, and many others. In 2021, the third version of the rule of thumb was launched which incorporates validation of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) eMTCT, underlining the significance of elimination of eMTCT of three infections, HIV, Syphilis and HBV. The rules present standardized processes and consensus-developed standards to validate eMTCT of HIV, HBV and Syphilis, and emphasize country-led accountability, multilevel collaboration, together with engagement of girls residing with HIV or HBV. Validation is a time period used to attest {that a} nation has efficiently met the factors for eMTCT of HIV and/or Syphilis and/or HBV. 

Processes for validation of eMTCT or Path to Elimination (PTE)

The achievement of elimination of eMTCT or vertical transmission, of HIV, syphilis and HBV is an incredible accomplishment, requiring well being ministry–led accountability, rigorous knowledge evaluation, intensive programme evaluation and multilevel collaboration on the nationwide, regional, and world ranges of a set of impression and course of indicators and the fulfilment of the 4 foundational necessities for (i) knowledge high quality (ii) robust programmes (iii) laboratory high quality and (iv) human rights, gender equality and group engagement.

Influence targets for validation

• Mom to little one transmission (MTCT) price of HIV of <2% in non-breastfeeding populations or <5% in breastfeeding populations
• New paediatric HIV infections because of MTCT of ≤50 instances per 100 000 reside births
• Congenital Syphilis price of ≤50 per 100 000 reside births
• Hepatitis B floor antigen (HBsAg) prevalence of ≤0.1% within the ≤5-year-old start cohort (and older kids)
• In nations that present focused well timed HepB-BD (Beginning Dose), an extra impression goal of HBV MTCT price of ≤2%

The method for validation requires validation buildings at nationwide, regional and world ranges.

As per WHO governance steerage, at nationwide stage, a Nationwide Validation Secretariat (NVS), and Nationwide Validation Committee (NVC) ought to be established and have interaction with the Ministry of Well being, WHO Nation Workplace, girls residing with HIV and related United Nations companions equivalent to UNAIDS, UNICEF and UNFPA. On the regional stage, WHO regional workplace ought to host a Regional Validation Secretariat (RVS), which works in shut partnership with UNAIDS, UNICEF and different related United Nations companions.

WHO will set up and convene the Regional Validation Committee (RVC) on the Elimination of Mom-to-Baby Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B within the World Well being Group African Area (WHO AFRO) and shall present the secretariat for the RVC, together with obligatory scientific, technical, administrative and different assist. On the world stage, the International Validation Secretariat (GVS) and the International Validation Advisory Committee (GVAC) are concerned within the validation course of. In any respect ranges, committee members ought to have expertise in one of many 4 foundational necessities for validation and will be capable of act independently when reviewing and assessing whether or not a rustic has achieved or maintained the elimination targets. Committee members in any respect ranges ought to function impartial consultants and never symbolize authorities or nongovernmental entities of their place.

Capabilities of the Regional Validation Committee (RVC) on the Elimination of Mom-to-Baby Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B

In its capability as an advisory physique to WHO, the RVC shall have the next features:

1. To evaluation nationwide validation studies from the Nationwide Validation Committee (NVC) to find out and advise WHO on their compliance with the worldwide standards for validation of eMTCT by knowledgeable desk evaluation and in-country mission or digital validation evaluation utilizing the validation evaluation instruments;
2. To liaise with the RVS to request and obtain extra data and clarifications;
3. To advise WHO on how nations may deal with gaps or boundaries to world validation recognized by the analysis course of;
4. To arrange the regional validation report to tell WHO concerning compliance with world standards for validation of eMTCT;
5. To advise WHO as as to whether candidate nations’ achievements in eMTCT of HIV, HBV and Syphilis might be really useful for validation;
6. To offer suggestions to WHO on the validation evaluation instruments;
7. To assist WHO within the dedication of detailed operational practices together with analysis strategy and strategies, group of in-country missions or digital validation assessments and speaking with the NVS, NVC and world companions.

Operations of the Regional Validation Committee (RVC) on the Elimination of Mom-to-Baby Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B

1. The RVC shall usually meet at the very least as soon as annually. Nonetheless, WHO might convene extra conferences.  RVC conferences could also be held in particular person (at WHO AFRO places of work in Brazzaville or one other location, as decided by WHO) or just about, by way of video or teleconference.

RVC conferences could also be held in open and/or closed session, as determined by the Chairperson in session with WHO.

• Open periods: Open periods shall be convened for the only function of the alternate of non-confidential data and views and could also be attended by Observers (as outlined in paragraph III.3 beneath).
• Closed periods: The periods coping with the formulation of suggestions and/or recommendation to WHO shall be restricted to the members of the RVC and important WHO Secretariat employees.

2. The quorum for RVC conferences shall be two thirds of the members.
3. WHO might, at its sole discretion, invite exterior people now and again to attend the open periods of an advisory group, or components thereof, as “observers”. Observers could also be invited both of their private capability, or as representatives from a governmental establishment / intergovernmental group, or from a non-State actor. WHO will request observers invited of their private capability to finish a confidentiality enterprise and a declaration of pursuits kind previous to attending a session of the advisory group.  Invites to observers attending as representatives from non-State actors shall be topic to WHO inside due diligence and danger evaluation together with battle of curiosity issues in accordance with the Framework for engagement with non-State actors (FENSA). Observers invited as representatives may additionally be requested to finish a confidentiality enterprise. Observers shall usually attend conferences of the RVC at their very own expense and be accountable for making all preparations in that regard.

On the invitation of the Chairperson, observers could also be requested to current their private views and/or the insurance policies of their group. Observers is not going to take part within the strategy of adopting suggestions of the RVC.

4. The RVC might determine to ascertain smaller working teams (sub-groups of the RVC) to work on particular points. Their deliberations shall happen by way of teleconference or video-conference. For these sub-groups, no quorum requirement will apply; the result of their deliberations shall be submitted to the RVC for evaluation at one in all its conferences.  
5. RVC members are anticipated to attend conferences. If a member misses two consecutive conferences, WHO might finish his/her appointment as a member of the RVC. 
6. Stories of every assembly and an yearly report shall be submitted by the RVC to WHO (the  Regional Director ). All suggestions from the RVC are advisory to WHO, who retains full management over any subsequent choices or actions concerning any proposals, coverage points or different issues thought of by the RVC.
7. The RVC shall usually make suggestions by consensus. If, in distinctive circumstances, a consensus on a selected challenge can’t be reached, minority opinions shall be mirrored within the assembly report.
8. Lively participation is predicted from all RVC members, together with in working teams, teleconferences, and interplay over e-mail. RVC members might, prematurely of RVC conferences, be requested to evaluation assembly supplies and to offer their views for consideration by the RVC.
9. WHO shall decide the modes of communication by the RVC, together with between WHO and the RVC members, and the RVC members amongst themselves.
10. RVC members shall not converse on behalf of, or symbolize, the RVC or WHO to any third social gathering.

Who can categorical curiosity?

The Regional Validation Committee (RVC) on the Elimination of Mom-to-Baby Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B shall be multidisciplinary, with members who’ve a spread of technical information, abilities and expertise related to the underlisted areas. Roughly 15 members could also be chosen. WHO welcomes expressions of curiosity from candidates with experience within the following areas:

• Public well being programme administration: HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and Hepatitis B;
• Medical: HIV, sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis, and immunization consultants;
• Well being techniques strengthening;
• Strategic data;
• Laboratory;
• Maternal and little one well being;
• Gender and human rights with a deal with individuals at increased danger;
• Social and behavioural scientists;

Submitting your expression of curiosity

To register your curiosity in being thought of for the [name of the advisory group], please submit the next paperwork by 28 Might 2024, 24:00h (midnight) Brazzaville time to endingdiseaseinafrica [at] who.int utilizing the topic line “Expression of curiosity for the Regional Validation Committee (RVC)”:

• A canopy letter, indicating your motivation to use and the way you fulfill the choice standards. Please observe that, if chosen, membership shall be in a private capability. Subsequently don’t use the letterhead or different identification of your employer;
• Your curriculum vitae (together with your nationality/ies) and
• A signed and accomplished Declaration of Pursuits (DOI) kind for WHO Specialists, accessible at https://www.who.int/about/ethics/declarations-of-interest.

After submission, your expression of curiosity shall be reviewed by WHO.  As a consequence of an anticipated excessive quantity of curiosity, solely chosen people shall be knowledgeable. 

Necessary details about the choice processes and circumstances of appointment

Members of WHO advisory teams (AGs) have to be freed from any actual, potential or obvious conflicts of curiosity. To this finish, candidates are required to finish the WHO Declaration of Pursuits for WHO Specialists, and the choice as a member of a AG is, amongst different issues, depending on WHO figuring out that there isn’t any battle of curiosity or that any recognized conflicts could possibly be appropriately managed (along with WHO’s analysis of an applicant’s expertise, experience and motivation and different standards).

All AG members will serve of their particular person knowledgeable capability and shall not symbolize any governments, any business industries or entities, any analysis, educational or civil society organizations, or every other our bodies, entities, establishments or organizations. They’re anticipated to totally adjust to the Code of Conduct for WHO Specialists (https://www.who.int/about/ethics/declarations-of-interest). AG members shall be anticipated to signal and return a accomplished confidentiality enterprise previous to the start of the primary assembly.

At any level in the course of the choice course of, phone interviews could also be scheduled between an applicant and the WHO Secretariat to allow WHO to ask questions regarding the applicant’s expertise and experience and/or  to evaluate whether or not the applicant meets the factors for membership within the related AG.

The choice of members of the AGs shall be made by WHO in its sole discretion, considering  the next (non-exclusive) standards: related technical experience; expertise in worldwide and nation coverage work; communication abilities; and skill to work constructively with individuals from completely different cultural backgrounds and orientations .The choice of AG members will even take account of the necessity for various views from completely different areas, particularly from low and middle-income nations, and for gender steadiness.

If chosen by WHO, proposed members shall be despatched an invite letter and a Memorandum of Settlement. Appointment as a member of a AG shall be topic to the proposed member returning to WHO the countersigned copy of those two paperwork.

WHO reserves the correct to just accept or reject any expression of curiosity , to annul the open name course of and reject all expressions of curiosity at any time with out incurring any legal responsibility to the affected applicant or candidates and with none obligation to tell the affected applicant or candidates of the grounds for WHO’s motion. WHO may additionally determine, at any time, to not proceed with the institution of the AG, disband an present TAG or modify the work of the AG.

WHO shall not in any means be obliged to disclose, or focus on with any applicant, how an expression of curiosity was assessed, or to offer every other data regarding the analysis/choice course of or to state the explanations for not selecting a member.

WHO might publish the names and a brief biography of the chosen people on the WHO web.

AG members is not going to be remunerated for his or her providers in relation to the AG or in any other case. Journey and lodging bills of AG members to take part in AG conferences shall be lined by WHO in accordance with its relevant insurance policies, guidelines and procedures.

The appointment shall be restricted in time as indicated within the letter of appointment.

When you’ve got any questions on this “Name for consultants”, please write to endingdiseaseinafrica [at] who.int properly earlier than the relevant deadline.