The Regional Training Program in Animal and Human Health Epidemiology in South Asia is implemented by Massey University on behalf of countries in the South Asia region (SAR). The program is funded by the European Commission Avian and Human Influenza Trust Fund, administered by the World Bank. Phase 2 of this two-phase program aims to strengthen institutional capacities in epidemiology and biosecurity by introducing and operationalizing the One Health (OH) concept in selected national institutions of the beneficiary countries, which are directly or indirectly responsible for diagnosis, preparedness, response, prevention and control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and other zoonoses (Grant No. TF098536: Effectiveness Date 28/11/2011, Closing Date 31/12/2013). The beneficiary countries are Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
Phase 2 aims to further develop in-country and regional capacity in epidemiology and biosecurity by operationalizing the OH concept through regional workshops and by strengthening national institutions for animal and human health as Centers of Excellence or ‘One Health Hubs’ (OHH).
Landell Mills is providing services to Massey University to assist with the facilitation of the 'One Health Hubs' in Afghanistan under the following scope of work:
Objectives:
Working primarily within existing government and national institutional frameworks to strengthen these, specific objectives are:
1. To facilitate identification of national zoonotic disease priorities and associated critical needs and key constraints to achieving a coordinated OH approach facing key human and animal health institutions in Afghanistan.
2. To facilitate establishment of a OHH in Afghanistan to provide the organisational and operational framework inside which the capacity building OH activities will sit;
3. To facilitate the design and implementation of specific Project Activities including Collaborative Investigation Projects (CIPs) and additional training required to strengthen capacity and sustainability within these institutions.
Scope:
The consultant firm shall work primarily within existing government and national institutional frameworks to strengthen these, involving other institutions and international agencies working on One Health and capacity building projects as appropriate to ensure effective collaboration and sustainable outcomes. Specific objectives and responsibilities include:
1. To organise and facilitate a workshop and meetings between senior government officials from MAIL, MoPH and other national institutions and international agencies directly or indirectly responsible for diagnosis, preparedness, response, prevention and control of HPAI and other zoonoses, to identify in Afghanistan:
a) National zoonotic disease priorities, and those suitable/feasible for investigation as a CIP;
b) Associated critical needs and key constraints facing the human and animal health institutions involved affecting collaboration and success of a OH approach to managing zoonotic diseases;
c) Priorities for the selection of OHH activities and additional training required to strengthen capacity and sustainability within these institutions;
d) Specific needs in relation to goods required to support operational and training activities and ensure sustainability of the OHH.
2. To facilitate establishment of a OHH in Afghanistan to provide the organisational and operational framework inside which the capacity building OH activities will sit, through facilitation of:
a) A working group of proposed OHH participants and work plan coordinated by the program’s Project Activity Coordinator.
b) A review of lessons learned from HPAI activities in Afghanistan and collaborative and organisational structures and activities that developed.
c) Creating an inventory of existing government organisations and committees with a OH focus, and other national organisations, agencies and NGOs involved in OH activities operating in Afghanistan, and the key personnel in each.
d) Consultation with senior government officials from MAIL and MoPH regarding the OHH Foundation Documents for ministerial agreement.
3. Working with the Project Activity Coordinator and Senior CIP Coordinator assigned, to facilitate planning of a CIP including development of a project plan and budget, project team, and identification of candidate organisations with recognised expertise in OH able to provide a robust auditable mechanism for contracting delivery of project reports that fulfil CIP milestones, that is acceptable to Massey University, the relevant line ministries or other technical agencies involved in the OHH and the World Bank.