CONSULTANCY- Strategic information, communicable diseases – Roster- Band level B (lower end of range)

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

1. Purpose of the consultancy

WHO EMRO is supporting countries to scale up of action to address AMR in line with global and national action plans. Strengthening the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in hospitals is an important component of this.

WHONET is an application for the management and analysis of microbiological data that has been developed and supported by a WHO collaborating centre. It is used in 130 countries globally, in over 2,500 hospitals. WHONET facilitates the upload of data to GLASS the Global reporting system for AMR.

In all these facilities there is a need to build the capacity in microbiology laboratories to collect,, collate, and analyse data in a more systematic way , so that it can be used to inform clinical and managerial decisions, and indicate progress in the institution in addressing AMR. Several countries in the EMRO region require training or retraining on the use of the WHONET data platform for the collection collation and analysis of microbiology laboratory data with a particular focus on antimicrobial resistance surveillance. EMRO is therefore keen to identify a roster of consultants with suitable expertise to provide this training

2. Background

Within the framework of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), pandemic preparedness and health security, the objective of the Department of Communicable Diseases in the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), is to assist Member States in strengthening the health sector response for achieving the communicable diseases objectives of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3). For this purpose, Member States are supported to develop appropriate national policies, guidelines and strategies to prevent diagnose and manage infection, based on country health situation, trends of disease burden estimates, surveillance data, monitoring and evaluation.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date:

End date:

The roster will operate for 24 months, over which period, consultants may be invited to deliver training assignments in countries in the EMRO region.

4. Work to be performed

The consultant shall undertake the following deliverables:

Output 1: Support countries in the use of WHONET software to facilitate the data collection, analysis, and utilization of data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Output 2. Build capacity of national teams in the use of WHONET, including

· Preparation of GLASS Global AMR surveillance system data files

· Assistance to uploading of the data file onto the GLASS IT platform.

Output 3. Provide training on AMR surveillance and practical support on the use of WHONET software for:

· WHO staff

· Ministry of Health Staff

· Teams in hospitals

Output 4. Train trainers at the national level to facilitate roll out of the WHONET software to collect AMR data

Output 5. Provide virtual technical support in the use of the WHONET software package whenever needed for EMRO countries.

5. Specific requirements

Qualifications required:

o First University degree in microbiology, epidemiology, public health, statistics, or relevant field.

Experience required:

o At least 5 years’ experience in public health surveillance programs and analysis of data for antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Desirable

o Experience in conducting WHONET training

Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:

1. Excellent knowledge of data management principles.

2. Good planning, organizational and analytical skills.

3. Excellent presentation and communication skills, with emphasis on training skills.

Language requirements:

o Advanced knowledge on English. Advance knowledge on Arabic or French is desirable (Read - Write - Speak).

6. Place of assignment

EMRO - countries

Medical clearance : The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.) All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance. Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Additional Information section

· This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

· Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

· Remuneration is in line with WHO consultant established rates

· Successful candidates will be included in the roster for consideration for future contractual engagement via a consultancy, as they become available. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee any future contractual relationship with WHO

· A written test may be used as a form of screening.

· If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

· For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

· WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

· WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

· Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

· WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

· Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.

· WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

· Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that: (a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated; (b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided; (c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.