Consultant - Database design and maintenance

Contract

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

Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical input to the areas of Infodemic management. within the overall framework of risk communication and community engagement, the incumbent will support

Background

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which began in December 2019, has left health experts grappling for a cure while they battle the barrage of misinformation and disinformation that left the public in a frenzy of conspiracy theories and falsehoods. The WHO has dubbed this phenomenon of overabundance of information – some accurate and some not –an ‘infodemic’ and has called for a coordinated and scientific response to mitigate its effects.

As we head into 2021, and as COVID-19 waves have carried on unabated and the vaccination rollout faced fear and resistance as well as unequal distribution among nations and people, the need for clear two-way communication and stronger community engagement has become ever more critical.

“Infodemiology” is defined as the science of managing infodemics through the employment of relevant research and effective practices. The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office is seeking to strengthen and deepen its capacity and commitment to providing scientifically sound, timely, and relevant information on mitigation and prevention measures through listening to populations’ questions, concerns, and comments. The ultimate goal is to promote behavioral change to ensure populations make the correct decisions to keep themselves safe, limiting the impact on health systems.

Planned timelines

Start date: 01/10/2021

End date: 30/12/2021

Work to be performed

Output 1: Provide technical input to the review and analysis of findings from social listening platforms

Deliverables:

• For the duration of the consultancy, submit Weekly reports summarizing findings of traditional, online media platforms and offline platforms to guide the WHO’s risk communication interventions

Which will ensure that Risk communication interventions are identified to address community insights risk communication intervention are delivered

Output 2****: Provide technical support to the training and capacity building of relevant staff at the country level

Deliverables:

• Participate in National or regional awareness workshops followed by capacity building workshops organized in priority countries
• Prepare and draft technical materials for the training of Priority countries to set up and manage the social listening platforms

Output 2

• Follow up on the establishment of social listening platforms

Deliverables:

• • Ensure that Roll-out and application of WHO’s EARS platform in priority countries
  • Follow-up with Priority countries on the production of national social listening reports
  • Work with with RCCE and MOH counterparts to ensure RCCE response is targeted

Required Qualifications

Education:

Essential: First-level university degree in social sciences, health science, or another field relevant for this position from an accredited academic institution.

Experience****:

Essential: Up to 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in the field of risk communication or behavioral science

Skills/ Technical knowledge

• Proven ability to develop and implement risk communication or advocacy initiatives, using appropriate tools and channels; and to achieve results in a global, multicultural, multinational, and decentralized organization;
• Ability to create and motivate networks of people across a range of risk communications-related disciplines;
• Demonstrated ability to work with people from different cultures.
• Ability to coordinate the work with others including WHO country and regional offices and with HQ

Language

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic language.

Location:

WHO-EMRO office in Cairo, Egypt.

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

The Consultant is expected to travel. Destination and duration of travel will be identified through the progress work identified in countries

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 a mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance. Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfill 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 an 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 putting 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 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 online 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.