Consultant - Data Analyst (Neglected Tropical Diseases - NTD)

This opening expired 1 year ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

WHO - World Health Organization

Open positions at WHO
Logo of WHO

Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 14 Jun 2022 at 21:59 UTC

Open application form
  1. Background

In the last three years, ESPEN has analyzed all available schistosomiasis sub-district data for the endemic countries in the region. To accomplish this, ESPEN has worked with stakeholders to develop a community data analysis tool, to help countries determine endemicity and need for interventions at lower implementation levels. This tool titled “Schistosomiasis community data analysis tool” together with user guidance and webinar, have been published on the ESPEN Portal for continued used by the countries (https://espen.afro.who.int/tools-resources/documents/others). This analysis will enable countries to transition to implementing interventions at community levels, which is the correct approach for schistosomiasis because transmission is focalized around freshwater bodies infested with snail vectors at community level. This process will improve efficiency in use of scarce resources for interventions. It is envisaged that this tool can be utilized for other diseases, especially those whose transmission is focal such as onchocerciasis and malaria. The completed schistosomiasis community data workbooks for 38 countries where community data analysis is relevant, have been presented to all the specific countries for review and validation through engagement with implementation managers at lower levels of implementation. The tool has placed ESPEN at an advance advantage for implementing the new schistosomiasis guidelines with appreciable efficiency. It also helps to identify data gaps for appropriate re-mapping planning in order to improve granularity of current data.

Justification

WHO launched a new schistosomiasis guideline on the 15th February 2022. https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2022/02/15/default-calendar/launch-who-guideline-on-control-and-elimination-of-human-schistosomiasis. The new much awaited guideline now provides clear guidance and scientific basis for annual mass treatment in all areas with infection prevalence of 10% and above, intensified treatment in hotspot areas, treatments for all at risk population from children 2 years of age and above, with specific targeting to women of child-bearing area who are at risk of developing female genital schistosomiasis.

In the past year, ESPEN has made tremendous progress with supporting countries to conduct community data analysis for implementation of schistosomiasis elimination activities. Online support and training was provided for 28 countries in finalizing their country level data validation. Further, based on feedback received from users on the data analysis tool, the tool was updated to version 4.0 and integrated into ESPEN data management system, and medicines application tool, the joint application package (JAP). Additionally, disease specific experts from the ESPEN SCH/STH roster of experts were recruited to provide technical support in data analysis and publishing which is currently ongoing. Countries will now need to adjust their community data analysis workbook to the treatment strategies proposed in the new schistosomiasis guideline.

  1. Deliverables

    Purpose of the Consultancy

The main purpose is to provide support to ESPEN and the TVD unit general in the data analysis needed for rolling out the new schistosomiasis guidelines. This support will involve reviewing the community data analysis already conducted for the countries in a previous consultancy and adjusting analysis to treatment strategies and evaluation mechanisms proposed in the new schistosomiasis guidelines. The updated community data will be integrated into the AFRO NTD database and made publicly available through the ESPEN NTD Portal. Efforts will be made to expand this strategy to other diseases and for integrated approaches, especially for the mapping of Taenia solium. Additionally, the consultant will continue to provide individualized training and support to disease technical experts who are supporting countries on site, and the NTD programmes based on their specific needs related to the adjustment of treatment strategies for each country. Specifically, countries will need to adjust their treatment frequencies and medicine needs, using data tools provided by ESPEN through this consultancy. This will require reviewing country data by differentiating baseline mapping and impact survey data. Further, review of treatment history and impact survey to detect hot-spots as defined in the new guideline will be critical. All this data activities will be time consuming and will require additional technical support within the ESPEN data team capacity.

Terms of Reference

Under the direct supervision of the ESPEN Database administrator, the ESPEN Surveillance Officer and the ESPEN Team leader a.i, and working closely with the SCH/STH technical officer, the data expert will perform the following duties:

  1. Revision of the schistosomiasis community data analysis tool
    1. Redesign worksheet structures to consider new data elements and reduce data redundancy
    2. Revise the endemicity classification algorithm
    3. Revise the final decision tree to consider
    4. the transmission risk assessment
    5. the treatment history
    6. the impact assessment prevalence
    7. Exceedance probability of 10% as provided by spatio-temporal geostatistical model
  2. Differentiate the baseline prevalence from the impact survey prevalence to detect hotspots as defined in the new guideline
  3. Include the pre-school age (PreSAC) group and women of child-bearing age (WCBA)in the estimation of population requiring PC
  4. Revise the automation module that fill the JRSM form to be compliant with the updated version of the Joint Application Package (JAP) form, which is to be released this year
  5. Data review
    1. Review data of all countries that have conducted nationwide impact survey (e.g., Cameroon, Togo, Burundi, etc.)
    2. Update all country workbooks to harmonize administrative information with most recent submitted through JAP reports (JRF/JRSM): matching unique identifier (ID) for implementation unit, administrative division, etc.
  6. Training materials
    1. Update user manual in French, Portuguese and English
    2. Developer manual (English)
  7. Training on community data analysis tool and integration in JAP
    1. Internal training of ESPEN data managers (staff members, consultants and UCN data managers)
    2. Conduct on demand online training/briefing to National NTD team
    3. Partners and implementers training
  8. Tool manuscript writing
    1. Finalize the tool publication manuscript
    2. Provide first line data review for publications from countries

Deliverables

  1. Manuscript publication on the ESPEN schistosomiasis community data analysis tool
  2. Updated Training materials for disease experts
  3. ALL incoming 2022 and 2023 JRSM compliant for community data and new SCH guidelines
  4. Updated summary of PZQ needs based on the community data, and new guidelines for all 44 countries
  5. Present progress in data integration for NTDS and Malaria with TVD team

    1. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

    Identify the educational qualifications and expertise needed for the terms of reference outlined above.

Educational Qualifications

Education

  • University degree in computer science, Information Systems or Information Technology, with specialized training in cloud data warehouse technologies and business intelligence tools.

Languages

Experience

Over 7 years experience with NTD data in the Africa region

Skills/Knowledge

  • Good knowledge of NTD data flow, database structure and management
  • Use of standalone GIS software and database applications
  • Proven skills and excellent working knowledge in the following information technologies and platforms: MsSQL Server 2012-2014, business intelligence and dashboard designs using Tableau®
  • Strong skills in analytics
  • Ability to solve problems quickly and tactfully and to achieve agreed results, including collaboration with others
  • Working knowledge of the forms by countries to submit Joint Application Package (JAP) for NTDs amenable through Preventive Chemotherapy (PC).

Languages and level required

  • Excellent knowledge of English or French, working knowledge of the other.

    1. Technical Supervision

    Dr Pauline NM Mwinzi [email protected]

    1. Location
    • Please specify where the consultant will work:
  • The consultant may work remotely from his home country, but should it be required to make duty travel during the consultancy period, the same will be justified and arranged by ESPEN.

On site: _Brazzaville___________(please indicate office and duty station)

Off site: ____________(please indicate location/address).

On site for insurance purposes :___Brazzaville_________(please indicate location/address). (This is where a duty travel is planned during the course of the consultancy but the consultant is being hired to work from home)

  1. Travel - If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required

    Please specify any expected travel(s): dates, location and purpose. N/A

A living expense is payable to on-site consultants – please refer to Information Note 08/2019 for details on eligibility.

7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Rate [daily or monthly or for language and publishing services by word count or number of pages]: US$ 8,000 per month

Currency: US$

Work schedule (if applicable) : Technical consultant report every three months

Please refer to Information Note 09/2021 for guidance on rates for consultants.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int