Consultant - Information and Planning (Epidemiologist), IMST/WHE/WPRO

Purpose of the Consultancy

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

Background

Since 2 January 2020, the three levels of WHO have been working together to respond to this outbreak of COVID-19. On 30 January, WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). On 11 March, WHO Director General characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. The WPRO response plan is envisaged until the end of 2021, it is however continually reviewed. Support for each pillar of the response is greatly needed.

The purpose of this emergency deployment is to support effective response operations related to the outbreak of pneumonia associated with COVID-19, with a focus on information and planning functions, as part of the Incident Management System Team (IMST) of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila.

Planned timelines

Start date : 10/01/2022 End date : 30/06/2022

Work to be performed

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

Output 1: Support risk assessment and making technical guidance

• Deliverable 1.1: Provide technical support to collect health information, risk assessment and response specific information for the WPRO internal and external situation reports (SitReps), epidemic bulletins, and other reports related to COVID-19.
• Deliverable 1.2: Support to collate and verify data on cluster outbreaks or rumors received from multiple sources, conduct retrospective analysis of reported events, and interpret analysis data for decision making.
• Deliverable 1.3: Contribute to prepare the regional and country technical documents as required.

Output 2: Support collaboration among WHO, Member States and other partners

• Deliverable 2.1: Support Member States and WHO Country Offices to conduct epidemiological situation analysis using multisource surveillance information.
• Deliverable 2.2: Preparing country presentations, coordinating with WCO focal points, and presenting at the IMST meeting.
• Deliverable 2.3: Assist in preparing presentations related to COVID-19 situation update and response; and attending the relevant technical meetings with WHO HQ and partners on behalf of the Information and Planning pillar of WPRO IMST for COVID-19 response.
• Deliverable 2.4: Coordinate with WCO focal points to collect information of transmission stage assessments for national and sub‐national level to be updated at WPRO dashboard.

Output 3: Perform any other incident‐specific related duties, as required by the respective Pillar Leads and Incident Manager.

Deliverables: • Progress report (monthly); and • Technical report at the end of consultancy.

Specific Requirements

Education

Essential: First level university degree in public health, epidemiology, social science, international studies or 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: At least two‐year work experience related to the field of epidemiology or public health such as surveillance and outbreak investigation and response or public health program management.

Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

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

Language

Proficient in written and spoken English.

Competencies

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences • 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

The consultancy will initially take place remotely with travel to Manila, Philippines, if conditions allow.

Medical clearance

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

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.