National Consultant to Support the implementation of sampling for surveillance round 3

1. Detailed Description of Tasks to be Performed:

The Vietnam Fleming Fund Country Grant - Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance in Vietnam (FFP) addresses critical gaps in the surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in Vietnam. This grant also supports the development and review of technical guidance and policies to improve AMR surveillance data in animal health subjects. With the target to enhance the capacity for surveillance and monitoring of AMR and AMU in human and animal health systems, the FFP intends to perform research on Antimicrobial use (AMU) 2- 4 hospitals  with a focus on the overall prevalence of antimicrobial use, types of antimicrobials commonly used, indication for use and quality of antimicrobial prescribing indicators.

With this purpose, FFCGVN is seeking a consultant with knowledge and experience in AMR surveillance to support the process of implementation of the AMR active surveillance program for the animal health sector. The consultant will work closely with a technical working group of FHI 360, the national technical consultants and the relevant agencies within the Department of Animal Health (DAH) as well as other relevant partners and sectors, if any, to make sure that the surveillance plan will come into being.

2. Objectives:

Under this scope of work, the FHI 360 requests consultancy services from the Consultant to perform the following tasks with the specified deliverables and timelines for the period from 18 September to 31 October 2023:

• Oversight of all activities of sampling in chickens and pigs on sites in three provinces in the South of Vietnam for the AMR surveillance program, which must follow the guidelines in Official Letter No. 787/TY-QLT dated 9th May 2023 by DAH on implementation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) active surveillance program in pig and chicken husbandry.
• Provide onsite technical support to the samplers to ensure the samples collected follow the guidelines of DAH.
• Report to FHI 360 and DAH the observations, findings, and quality monitoring during the field activities.

Note: Additional deliverables and working days may be included in a contract modification to align with the agreed-upon plan

3. Scope of work and expected deliverables:

Location of work

Any place in Vietnam

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel to implementing sites (tentatively two southern provinces (Dong Nai, Binh Duong), two northern provinces (Ha Noi or Thanh Hoa, and Hai Phong), and two central provinces (Quang Nam, Binh Dinh) of Vietnam).

Qualifications

• Degree in Biomedicine, Animal Health or related areas and five years of practitioner experience in the animal health sector, with strong knowledge and expertise in antibiotics, AMU and AMR.
• Strong experience in animal health/AMR surveillance research and survey process,. 
• Demonstrated research and writing skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well with all project staff, implementing agencies, and government counterparts.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the applicant’s experience and qualifications as detailed above.

Required Documentation

Proposals must include the following components:

• Applicant’s CV and highest-level degree
• Letter of interest that briefs relevant qualifications and experience
• Proposed daily rate
• FHI 360 Biodata form

Application

• Application to this call should be submitted by email to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] no later than 2.00 PM September 15^th, 2023 with the subject line “FF_Application for National Consultant to Support sampling for surveillance round 3.”
• All prospective vendors must comply with the safeguarding policies of our organization. Any violations of the policies may result in immediate contract termination without liability for the organization.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

FHI 360 Disclaimers

• FHI 360 may perform a background check on any selected candidates.
• FHI 360 may cancel the solicitation and not award
• FHI 360 may reject any or all responses received
• Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by FHI 360
• FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on failure of the offeror to follow solicitation instructions
• FHI 360 will not compensate any offeror for responding to solicitation
• FHI 360 reserves the right to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers without further discussion
• FHI 360 may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation, or issue multiple awards based on the solicitation activities
• FHI 360 reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be corrected prior to award determination to promote competition
• FHI 360’s supplier terms and conditions can be found here while our consultant terms and conditions can be found here