Consultant - Epidemiologist

Contract

This is a Multiple grade levels contract. More about Multiple grade levels contracts.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The consultant is being recruited to provide technical assistance for epidemiology to the ongoing COVID-19 response activities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall supervision of the WPRO IMST Incident Manager, the information and planning pillar lead and WHO Country Representative, the consultant will:

• Coordinate with the Incident Manager, pillar leads and country office counterparts;
• Act as lead or deputy lead of the Information and Planning Pillar or equivalent as required for COVID-19 pandemic response to ensure the planning, implementation and monitoring of epi/surveillance activities are in place.
• Support the timely and high-quality collection, analyses, production and dissemination of data/information including the internal and external situation reports (SitReps), epidemic bulletins, rapid needs assessments, health risk assessments, and the Public Health Situation Analysis; and health inputs into humanitarian needs overviews (HNO), and strategic response plans (SRP).
• Contribute information to the drafting of all relevant planning documents including project proposals, appeals, reports, and dashboards.
• Provide technical support and assist in the development of surveys and monitoring/surveillance systems for detection, verification and response; ensuring efficiency of data collection, correlation, analysis, interpretation and timely reporting at health facility at the district levels.
• Collate and verify data on cluster outbreaks or rumors received from multiple sources, conduct retrospective analysis of reported incidents: determine trends, distribution patterns, and efficiency of the verification mechanism.
• Design field epidemiological surveys if/where needed.
• Provide trainings for subnational incident management team and health facility level staff, support the team in the supervision and on-the-job training at national level Attend the EOC meetings and other relevant technical meetings with partners on behalf of WHO COVID-19 surveillance unit.
• Attend the EOC meetings and other relevant technical meetings with partners on behalf of WHO COVID-19 surveillance unit.
• Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the Incident Manager or WHO Country Representative.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Minimum university degree in medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, communicable diseases, epidemiology, microbiology, public health, or a related field from an accredited/recognized institute. Desirable: An advanced university degree in health-related field or quantitative epidemiology, specialized training in communicable diseases.

Experience

Essential: Minimum of five to ten years related field experience, at the national and international levels, in implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response. Experience in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships. Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries. Previous experience working in collaboration with multiple actors in public health surveillance is desirable.

Use of language skills

Essential: Proficient in written and spoken English. Desirable: Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.

Skills

• Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a team with limited supervision
• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent communication skills

Other skills:

Skills in database management and statistical analysis, secondary data review, survey designing and implementation, monitoring and evaluation systems design or use, and public health information management. Good computer skills in Microsoft office, EPI Info, SPSS and GIS.

Competencies

• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Communication
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Place of assignment:

Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO )

Medical clearance

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