International Consultant – Non-Communicable Diseases

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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy  

Under the overall guidance of WHO Representative (WR) and direct supervision of the Technical Officer- Nutrition, the consultant will support Ministry of Health and other implementing national partners to address NCD risk factors, strengthen prevention and management of NCDs and support strengthening NCD surveillance. The consultant will support implementation of the World Diabetes Foundation - phase 2 in 5 Municipalities to strengthen the diagnosis and management of Diabetes mellitus and Hypertension through building national and sub-national capacities, strengthening implementation of PEN package and integrated health service delivery. The consultant will also support establishing sentinel surveillance sites for diagnosis and management of Diabetes mellitus type 1. The consultant will be required to work in close collaboration and coordination with MOH staff, concerned heads of Municipality, other stakeholders and partners.

Background  

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancers are the leading cause of mortality in Timor-Leste, accounting for 54% of all deaths. Diabetes represents a substantial burden, with an age-standardized prevalence of 7.3% among adults aged 18 years and above in 2022. This burden is compounded by common comorbidities such as hypertension and tuberculosis, which significantly increase the risk of adverse health outcomes and strain the health system.

With support from the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), during 2024–2025 Timor Leste strengthened diabetes and hypertension service delivery in 54 health facilities across 2 municipalities (Dili and Aileu). Key achievements under the project include building health worker capacity; standardizing care through simplified protocols, operational manuals, and job aids; expanding screening through PIS outreach; improving availability of essential medicines and diagnostics (glucometers, strips, HbA1c); strengthening referral and supportive supervision systems; and piloting an NCD e-tracker to enable patient follow-up. Phase 1 demonstrated scalable, system-level approaches to improving NCD care within the existing health system.

With continuing support from WDF, MoH and WHO Timor Leste will be scaling up the project support to 5 Municipalities. The second phase of project will focus on institutionalizing the proven diabetes and hypertension care model nationally to reduce inequities in access and quality of care. Key priorities include expanding implementation to additional municipalities using Phase 1 tools and service delivery models; fully integrating diabetes and hypertension services into the national Programa Integrado de Saúde (PIS) outreach platform; strengthening screening, diagnostics, treatment continuity, and patient monitoring systems; and establishing sentinel surveillance for Type 1 diabetes in three hospitals, including a national registry, standardized care pathways, updated treatment guidelines, and trained staff. Phase 2 will also strengthen longitudinal data systems, supportive supervision and supply chain and forecasting mechanisms to ensure consistent, quality NCD care nationwide.

WHO Timor Leste Country Office is seeking to recruit an International consultant in providing technical cooperation to MOH Timor Leste to implement the second phase of WDF supported project in 5 municipalities. 

Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Technical support for development of guidelines and capacity building of health care workers on diagnosis and management of DM and HT

1.1   Minutes from meetings with NCD Dept PHC and NCD dept NDASH on plan for proposed activities under WDF Phase2

1.2   Monitoring plan for WDF phase 2 project developed

1.3   Training calendar and package of training tools developed in consultation with MoH, incorporating orientations and refreshers proposed under WDF phase 2

1.4   Draft plan developed in consultation with MoH outlining next steps for finalizing guidelines for gestational DM and guidelines on bidirectional screening of TB and DM

Deliverable 2:

Technical support for capacity building of health care workers on diagnosis and management of DM and HT and Baseline assessment for Sentinel Surveillance of Type 1 Diabetes

2.1   National resource persons’ training report

2.2   Draft schedule for supp supervision developed in consultation with MoH

2.3   Baseline assessment initiated for Sentinel Surveillance of Type 1 Diabetes in National Hospital HNGV and at the Referral Hospitals in 2 municipalities

Deliverables 3:

Technical support for development of guidelines and programme monitoring for WDF phase 2

3.1   Minutes from meeting with relevant stakeholders on the progress of the project including progress on indicators

3.2   Plan for procurement and distribution of diagnostics (at health facilities including sentinel surveillance sites) developed in consultation with MoH

3.3   Guidelines developed for bidirectional screening of TB and DM

3.4   Report from workshop on guidelines for gestational DM

Deliverable 4:

Technical support for supply management, capacity building of health care workers on diagnosis and management of DM and HT and Baseline assessment

4.1   Training report from orientation of health workers in 2municipalities, including analysis of pre- and post tests comparing improvements in knowledge and competencies.

4.2   Minutes from advocacy meeting with DNFM, INFPM for continuous supply of medications and diagnostics for DM and HTN

4.3   Baseline assessment report for Sentinel Surveillance of Type 1 Diabetes

Deliverable 5:

Technical support for supply management and capacity building of health care workers on diagnosis and management of DM and HT

5.1 Training report from orientation of health workers in 1municipality, including analysis of pre- and post tests comparing improvements in knowledge and competencies.

5.2 Report on technical support provided for procurement of diagnostics and equipment

5.3 Training report from refresher training of 225 health workers in 1municipality, including analysis of pre- and post tests comparing improvements in knowledge and competencies.

Deliverable 6:

Technical support for supply management and capacity building of health care workers on diagnosis and management of DM and HT

6.1 Training report from refresher training of 225 health workers in 1municipality, including analysis of pre- and post tests comparing improvements in knowledge and competencies.

6.2 Training report from orientation of PEN and HMIS focal points on e-tracker in phase2 municipalities

6.3 Report on status of distribution of diagnostics (at health facilities including sentinel surveillance sites) and supply management issues

Deliverable 7:

Technical support for development of guidelines, supply management and capacity building on NCD e-tracker

7.1 Comprehensive plan developed in consultation with MoH focusing on (i) Capacity building plan for training of CHVs and traditional healers; (ii) planning PIS (specialist visits) across 5 municipalities; and (iii) progress report on bidirectional screening of TB and DM

7.2 Standardized protocols for T1DM diagnosis and management drafted and SoPs, job aids, surveillance registers, monthly report formats for Type 1 DM developed in consultation with MoH

7.3 Training report from orientation of PEN and HMIS focal points on NCD e-tracker in phase2 municipalities

Deliverable 8:Technical support for programme monitoring for WDF phase 2 and capacity building of health workers on sentinel surveillance type 1 and updates on type 2 DM

8.1 Minutes from meeting with relevant stakeholders on the progress of the project including progress on indicators

8.2 Training report from orientation of health workers at national hospital on sentinel surveillance type 1 and updates on type 2 DM, including analysis of pre- and post tests comparing improvements in knowledge and competencies.

8.3 Awareness building materials developed and case studies documented

Deliverable 9:

Technical support for delivery of integrated health service delivery and capacity building of health workers on sentinel surveillance type 1 and updates on type 2 DM

9.1 Documentation on 30 PIS specialist camps organised in municipalities

9.2 Training report from training of CHVs and traditional healers in one municipality

9.3 Training report from orientation of health workers at one referral hospital on sentinel surveillance type 1 and updates on type 2 DM, including analysis of pre- and post tests comparing improvements in knowledge and competencies.