Revision and Updating of the Existing Contact Investigation Training Curriculum
| Name of the Division | Technical Services |
| Name of the Branch/Unit | Health Promotion and Protection Branch/ HIV/STI/TB Unit |
- BACKGROUND
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that globally there are approximately one million new cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) daily which translates to about 349 million new cases each year[1]. Within a narrower context, in the Caribbean, there are about 64 million new STI cases yearly among individuals aged 15 to 49[2].
In Jamaica, demographic and cultural factors predispose certain populations to acquire an STI[3]. This is to such an extent that in 2023, according to the District Information Health Software (DHIS2) which collects STI data, there were approximately 37,000 reported cases of STIs across public health facilities in Jamaica. The Treatment Site Information System database (TSIS) collected 1,115 HIV cases newly linked to care during the same year.
The Contact Investigator (CI) Programme, established in 1988, is a critical public health initiative aimed at controlling the spread of STIs and HIV; improving STI prevention and control nationally. The programme is the backbone of the national STI Programme as Contact Investigators (CIs) not only investigate disease sources to halt disease transmission but they ensure that index cases and their contacts are appropriately treated, educated, and counselled to prevent the further spread of disease. This is achieved by equipping CIs with essential skills for conducting public health investigations, case management and analysis, community engagement, outbreak detection, and response; all while maintaining a sensitive approach.
The CI Training Programme spans twelve (12) months and incorporates a blend of theoretical and practicum learning methodologies. It covers a comprehensive range of topics related to communicable diseases but the investigative skills garnered are transferable to other diseases and outbreak responses. The CI Training Programme is usually structured through workshops, self-study, and practical sessions with mentors and it requires full-time commitment from trainees. Through continuous education and mentorship, they will be supported to ensure they meet the programme’s high standards and remain effective and up-to-date with the latest public health strategies and practices. This revision and update of the CI programme is crucial to ensure it remains effective, current with the latest international standards and technologies, and responsive to emerging public health threats as learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY
- To review and update the preexisting CI Training Curriculum.
- SCOPE OF WORK
In undertaking this assignment, the consultant is required to:
- Conduct a desk review of the existing national CI Training Curriculum.
- Complete a literature review of other CI Training Curricula/Social Disease Investigators.
- Conduct meetings and consultations with stakeholders.
- Update and finalize the CI Training Curriculum.
- CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT
| QUALITY BASED SELECTION | Consultant Qualifications Selection as outlined in Section 6 |
| PERIOD OF CONTRACT | Three (3) months. |
| PAYMENT METHOD | Deliverable based contract |
| FUNDING | Funding will be provided by the Global Fund counterpart. |
| REPORTING ARRANGMENTS | · The consultant will report directly to the Director of Treatment Care & Support, HSTU, MOHW
· The consultant will also work closely with the professional staff of the Ministry of Health & Wellness, Regional Health Authorities, and other Ministry Departments and Agencies.
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| SUPPORT | The consultant will be provided with the relevant documents associated with the consultancy to facilitate the creation of this document. |
| INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | All documents produced during the delivery of this Consultancy are the property of the Ministry of Health and Wellness and requests to use same must be made in writing to the Permanent Secretary |
| TRANSFER OF KNOWLEDGE | N/A |
| TRAVEL | Travel as required under this assignment is authorized and should be included in the final price. |
- DELIVERABLES
| DELIVERABLE | DESCRIPTION | COMPLETION TIME | % WEIGHT OF CONTRACT SUM |
| Product 1: Work Plan | The Work Plan is the operational document for the consultancy and is used to determine the required inputs for the development and delivery of the output of the consultancy.
The work plan must detail: · Methodology for providing the key outputs of the consultancy. · Resources required that are outside of the control of the consultant. · Timeline for the achievement of tasks associated with the deliverables. |
2 weeks | 10% |
| Product 2: Report of literature review and key informant interviews and stakeholder consultations | To develop a report outlining the recommendations for the CI Training Curriculum from the review of the literature, key informant interviews, and stakeholder consultations. It will outline the summation of the findings obtained from the interviews, stakeholder consultations, and recommendations. | 4 weeks | 20% |
| Product 3: Draft CI Training Curriculum | The draft CI Training Curriculum will outline the results from the activities during the contract period, lessons learned, recommendations, the conclusion as well as an implementation plan with timelines. | 3 weeks | 20% |
| Product 4: Final CI Training Curriculum | Final CI Training Curriculum. | 2 weeks | 50% |
- SELECTION CRITERIA
| Criteria | Requirement | Weight |
| Qualifications | Possession of a Master’s degree in Public Health | 30% |
| Experience | Minimum five (5) years experience in Public Health | 30% |
| Minimum five (5) years working in an STI/HIV programme | 20% | |
| Minimum five (5) years of relevant work experience where work of a similar nature was undertaken. Names and contact information of three (3) references are required. | 20% | |
| Total | 100% |
The consultant must earn a minimum of 70% to be considered for the consultancy.
Evidence of experience must be demonstrated on the CV, and proof of qualification must be submitted along with the CV.