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Purpose of the Consultancy

This consultancy will provide technical support to the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) in the preparation and development of a new action framework for health security, and support to the work of the Country Health Emergency Preparedness & IHR (CPI) team.

Background

Since 2006, Member States of the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions have worked collectively to strengthen public health capacities for health security through the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED). This bi-regional framework has guided actions to build and develop capacities required under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005).

Over the past two and a half years, the capacities and systems built under APSED have been put to the test by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 17 October 2022, more than 6.5 million deaths and 620 million confirmed cases have been reported globally including over 91 million cases and 273,000 deaths in the Western Pacific Region – numbers which likely vastly underestimate the reality. However, the health security capacities and systems built under APSED have served our region well, with many countries mounting proactive and rapid responses to the pandemic, and the Western Pacific Region performing relatively better than other regions.

Work is now underway to develop a new health security action framework by July 2023 that builds on the achievements of APSED, incorporates key findings from reports on health security tabled at meetings of the World Health Assembly, and enables subnational and national efforts to be synchronized to global solutions. The new action framework will also integrate the experiences and lessons from almost two decades of regional preparedness and response to public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Planned timelines

Start date: 15 November 2022 End date: 31 October 2023

Work to be performed

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the programme.

Under the supervision of the Technical Officer, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, CPI, the consultant will work in a team and independently to support the development of a new health security action framework:

Output 1: Provide technical support in the development of a new Health Security Action Framework.

Deliverable 1.1: Prepare and draft information papers, working papers and technical content to inform the development of the new health security action framework. Deliverable 1.2: Support writing team(s) in drafting and reviewing the health security action framework. Deliverable 1.3: Research and develop original content on health security issues. Proofread content for errors and inconsistencies and review existing content to improve readability.

Output 2: Provide technical support to plan and conduct consultations and meetings to develop the health security action framework.

Deliverable 2.1: Support the design, planning and implementation of consultations and meetings with Member States, experts, partners and other stakeholders. Deliverable 2.2: Support the development of relevant technical documents, working papers and presentation materials. Deliverable 2.3 Support reporting on consultation/meeting activities and outcomes.

Output 3: Contribute to monitoring of global initiatives on health security, including new publications, technical guidelines, reports and policy.

Deliverable 3.1: Monitor international and national sources for new information and content on health security initiatives at global and regional level. Deliverable 3.2: Prepare notes, presentation slides, updates and briefing materials as requested by supervisor. Deliverable 3.3: Provide regular updates to the WHE Division and Regional Emergencies Director.

Output 4: Document the COVID-19 response in the WHO Western Pacific Region

Deliverable 4.1: Document key response actions, decisions and events in the WHO Western Pacific Region during the COVID-19 pandemic. Deliverable 4.2: Draft and review information products (e.g. case studies, articles, reports) to document and communicate actions and lessons identified from the regional COVID-19 response.

Specific Requirements

Education required

Essential: First university degree in communications, journalism, English or related field; and advanced university degree in public health, social science, life science or related area; OR First university degree in public health, social science, life science or related area; and advanced university degree in communications, journalism, English or related field.

Desirable: Additional professional training/specialization in health systems, public health emergency management, disaster management, public health research or other related area.

Experience required

Essential: At least seven years of relevant experience at the national and international level in content writing or related fields. Desirable: Previous experience with WHO or other UN agencies. Previous international experience in public health emergencies, outbreak response, infectious disease management, crisis management or related areas is an advantage.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

• Motivated, highly organized, critical thinker with strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work productively on own initiative, in a team with diverse collaborators and in a matrix management environment.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Good interpersonal communication skills.
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; asks questions to clarify.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English.
• Ability to quickly grasp complex technical concepts and make them easily understandable in text and pictures.
• Attention to detail.
• Reliable and quick to respond to questions, issues, and concerns.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.

Language requirements

• Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Moving forward in a changing environment

Place of assignment

WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila, Philippines

Medical clearance

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

Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel according to the itinerary and estimated schedule below:

Travel dates From: 15 Nov 2022 To: 31 Oct 2023 Location: Manila, Philippines Purpose: To provide technical assistance to the development of a new health security action framework, including support to country consultations and international meetings.

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 fulfill visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Additional Information

• 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.
• 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• 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.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html