Consultant - Information and Planning, IMST/WHE/WPRO
Provide technical assistance for COVID-19 response activities
Overview
Provide technical assistance for COVID-19 response activities
You have:
- First level university degree in public health, epidemiology, social science, medicine, nursing, international studies or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
- 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.
- Proficient in written and spoken English.
- Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, or experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills.
- Ability to work in a team with limited supervision.
..
1. Purpose of the Consultancy
The consultant is being recruited to provide technical assistance for epidemiology to the ongoing COVID-19 response activities.
2. 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 HealtWh 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.
3. Planned timelines
Start date: 1 July 2022
End date: 31 December 2022
4. Summary of Assigned Duties
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: Develop and maintain COVID-19 surveillance system
Deliverable 1.1: Provide technical support to conduct Event-based surveillance related to COVID-19, verify received rumor information, conduct rapid risk assessment, and provide key inputs to the daily IMST presentation.
Deliverable 1.2: Support in maintaining Variant of Concern (VoC) data, contributing to briefing notes and disseminating to relevant audiences for information sharing.
Deliverable 1.3: Support to collect, collate, manage and analyse data; aggregate health related COVID-19 information and transform it into narrative text, maps, graphics, sitreps, reports, bulletins and other relevant documents to enable strategic planning and decision making.
Deliverable 1.4: Provide technical support to conduct Event-based surveillance related to COVID-19, verify received rumour information, conduct rapid risk assessment, and provide key inputs to the IMST presentation
Output 2: Support WPR Country offices
Deliverable 2.1: Support WHO Country Offices to conduct epidemiological situation analysis using multisource surveillance information to inform decision making on response strategies.
Deliverable 2.2: Support WCO focal points to prepare country presentations and present at the IMST meeting if required.
Output 3: Support COVID-19 IMST regarding situation analysis of COVID-19
Deliverable 3.1: Collaborate with other pillar team members to conduct real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data including non-health sectors for epidemic forecasting and guiding appropriate response strategies.
Deliverable 3.2: 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.
4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Education
Essential: First level university degree in public health, epidemiology, social science, medicine, nursing, 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.
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 and level required:
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:
Manila, Philippines
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.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe your experience with COVID-19 surveillance systems? | This question assesses your relevant experience in designing and managing surveillance systems specifically for infectious diseases. | Highlight specific projects or roles where you successfully implemented a surveillance system for COVID-19 or similar diseases. |
| What steps would you take to conduct an outbreak investigation? | The interviewer is looking for your understanding of outbreak investigation protocols and your practical approach. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you effectively handle pressure during public health emergencies? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you use to present complex epidemiological data to stakeholders? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of how you foster teamwork in a multidisciplinary environment? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |