Consultant -Impact of COVID-19 on AMR

Contract

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

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The overall purpose of the consultancy is to conduct literature review on the current situation of antimicrobial use for COVID-19 at regional (Eastern Mediterranean region and global levels and potential impact of using antibiotics for COVID-19 on the burden of antimicrobial resistance.

2. Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global problem to which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may further contribute. WHO is concerned that levels of antimicrobial resistance will further be fuelled by the inappropriate use of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic. While evidence shows that only small proportion of COVID-19 patients need antibiotics to treat subsequent bacterial infections, reports indicate that azithromycin and other broad-spectrum antibiotics are being widely used as part of COVID-19 patient management. Furthermore, COVID-19 hospital admissions increase the risk of health-care-associated infections and the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms, which in turn lead to increased antimicrobial use.

In this regard, there is a need to understand how COVID-19 affects AMR trends and levels of antibiotics use and consumption at hospital and community levels. The consultant shall assist EMRO to review available scientific literature, countries report, documents, and other sources of information to identify the possible effects of COVID-19 on the state of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic use in the countries of the region.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

25 working days between 15 November and 31 December 2021.

4. Work to be performed

Output 1: Conduct review of the literature, country reports and other sources to report on the use of antibiotics for COVID-19 globally and at EMRO, to explore potential impact of COVID-19 on the state of antibiotic resistance in the countries of the region and globally.

Deliverable 1.1: A report of the methodology, findings, and conclusions of the literature review

Deliverable 1.2: A presentation that summarizes the above report

Deliverable 1.3. Prepare the report in a publication to be submitted to a scientific journal

5. Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

Responsible Officer:

Dr Maha Talaat, Regional Adviser, AMR Unit

Manager:

Dr Yvan Hutin, Director, DCD

6. Specific requirements

- Qualifications required: Minimum first university degree for lower end of range, an advanced university degree for mid and high end of range in public health, epidemiology and surveillance, infectious disease, laboratory sciences, microbiology, or other health related fields

- Experience required: 5 to 10 years of experience in any medical related field e.g. Infectious diseases, public health, epidemiology or others, preferably in an international agency. Knowledge of research and practice issues around COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance.

• AMR related publications is highly desirable

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

- Language requirements: Excellent knowledge of English. Excellent report writing skills in English and meet tight deadlines

7. Place of assignment

The consultant will be working mainly from his/her place of residence.

8. Medical clearance

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

9. Travel

If the Consultant is expected to travel, separate TR will be issued accordingly.

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

• 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice - https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values
• 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.