Consultant: Influenza and Respiratory Disease Surveillance

Contract

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

Consultant Influenza and respiratory disease surveillance

Evaluated at Band B level

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office supports and coordinates closely with 22 countries and territories in the Region to reduce the burden of influenza nationally and regionally and addressing epidemic and pandemic potentially caused by respiratory pathogens by promoting research and innovation, strengthening surveillance, monitoring and utilizing data and expanding disease outbreak prevention and control policies and programs to protect the vulnerable. Technical assistance is also being provided to countries to prioritize surveillance for influenza and other respiratory pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential. As such, Infectious Hazard Preparedness unit, are seeking a consultant to support influenza, respiratory disease surveillance, preparedness and response in countries of the Region.

2. Background

In the last decade, countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have invested in the establishment and strengthening of epidemiological and virological surveillance of influenza for determining the seasonality, severity and characteristics of virus circulation in the countries. With the support of WHO/EMRO, countries in the Region are strengthening preparedness and response systems and capacities for seasonal, pandemic and avian influenza (with epidemic and pandemic potential among humans).

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage public health threats and health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international response to contain outbreaks and health emergencies and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The team of influenza and emerging respiratory diseases develops strategies, guidance, regional mechanisms and interventions to address influenza and other respiratory pathogens particularly from their epidemic and pandemic potential, thereby supporting organizational efforts to reduce the impact of these diseases and threats on affected populations and limiting their spread.

Under the Infectious Hazard Preparedness (IHP) Unit, an expert consultant is required to provide support to countries for prevention and control of influenza through contributing in the development and dissemination of evidence-based information tools, policies, tools, and capacity building.

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 01/08/2021

End date: 31/01/2022

4. Work to be performed

Output 1: Analyse available data on influenza and produce information material and tools to be used for policy making

Deliverable1.1 Produce periodic situation/surveillance bulletins on influenza issued by IHP weekly and monthly in between the assignment period

Deliverable 1.2 Edit monthly epidemiological information/surveillance reports submitted by PIP (Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) supported countries during the contract duration

Deliverable 1.3 Jointly with data management focal point, edit the technical parameters used in design of EMFLU-a surveillance platforms designed by WHO/EMRO for influenza surveillance

Output 2: Develop training material, in line with available WHO guidance on seasonal, pandemic and avian influenza surveillance and conduct training

Deliverable 2.1: Develop a set of training material using available WHO guidance for PIP supported countries

Deliverable 2.2: Conduct trainings as per agreed schedule with PIP supported countries

Deliverable 2.3: Produce reports of the trainings

Output 3: Review, edit influenza preparedness and response documents and reports prepared by IHP unit and PIP supported countries

Deliverable 3.1: In line with PIP work plan for the WHO Regional Office and PIP supported countries, review national implementation documents such as preparedness and outbreak response plans and provide feedback

Deliverable 3.2: Provide technical and editorial feedback on work plans/activity plans submitted by PIP supported countries for funding support under PIP Framework Partnership Contribution plan.

5. Specific requirements

- Qualifications required:

Essential: First level university degree in medicine, science, epidemiology or related field from a recognized university.

Desirable: Master’s degree in public health or epidemiology and training in communicable disease surveillance would be asset

- Experience required:

Essential: At least 5 years of progressive experience in surveillance of infectious disease programmes at national or international level with experience in developing surveillance reports, technical review of disease prevention and control planning documents

Desirable: Prior experience in surveillance of influenza or respiratory disease programme

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language

Organization and efficiency skills

Data handling and analysis skills

Interpersonal and collaboration skills

- Language requirements:

English expert level required, intermediate level of French or Arabic is desired.

6. Place of assignment

Cairo, Egypt

7. Medical clearance

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

8. Travel

The selected Consultant may be expected to travel to countries of the Region upon request.

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 notes

• 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.