Consultant - NTD Data Management and Health Information Systems, Health Products and Supply Chain, Process and Operations Management

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will support the collection and reporting of data and information on NTDs, supply of donated NTD drugs and diagnostics, and provide operational and technical support to accelerate control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases in the Western Pacific Region.

Background

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of disease conditions that are most common in tropical and subtropical regions. These diseases most heavily affect people living without access to adequate sanitation, basic infrastructure, and health services. In addition to significant morbidity and mortality, these diseases can lead to stigma and discrimination in communities. WHO prioritizes 20 diseases affecting more than 1 billion people in 149 countries as NTDs. Of these, 16 are endemic in 22 countries and areas in the WHO Western Pacific Region. These diseases are prioritized not only because of the magnitude and impact of their burden but also because they are amenable to broad control, elimination or eradication by delivering one or more of the five interventions recommended by WHO. The priority interventions are (1) preventive chemotherapy (PC); (2) veterinary public health; (3) provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene; (4) vector and intermediate host control; and (5) case management and rehabilitation.

Since the endorsement of the Global NTD roadmap 2021-2030, WPRO has been supporting Member States in coordination and collaboration with donors and partners to accelerate control and elimination of NTDs in the Region through three strategic pillars: (i) accelerating programmatic actions, (ii) intensifying cross-cutting approaches, (iii) changing operational models to enhance country ownership. The NTD control and elimination efforts are guided by the regional framework on Reaching the Unreached (RTU) which prioritizes three actions areas: (i) strengthening health systems and services (ii) empowering individuals and communities, and (iii) addressing socio-economic barriers.

Deliverables

Under the supervision and guidance of the team of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Integrated Communicable Diseases (NTD/ICD/WPRO) and the Coordinator of the Integrated Communicable Diseases unity of the Division of Disease Control (DDC), in collaboration with the Health Ministries in the Western Pacific Region, WHO country offices NTD focal persons, and HQ/NTD Department

· Deliverable 1.1: NTD data collection forms from all relevant countries collected, quality assured, and support provided where needed – ongoing until the end of the consultancy period.

· Deliverable 1.2: Transmission assessment studies for Lymphatic Filariasis completed in Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, Micronesia (Federated States of), and other countries undergoing transmission assessment by providing technical guidance and operational support – expected by 30 June 2024.

· Deliverable 1.3: ICD Dashboard updated with disease specific and subnational NTD data on a regular basis – expected by 15 April 2024.

· Deliverable 1.4: NTD-endemic countries in WPRO received and distributed donated NTD commodities (including NTD drugs and diagnostics) as requested by the countries and necessary support provided to Countries in the distribution of Medicines for Mass Drug Administration and Diagnostics for assessment of transmission status and disease mapping – Ongoing until the end of the consultancy period.

· Deliverable 1.5: The latest issue of the WPRO NTD update finalized and widely disseminated – 30 March 2024

· Deliverable 1.6: A report of supplies and drug/RDT donation and procurement facilitated in the Region during the consultancy period provided, and new procurement and requests for donations for both RDTs and Preventive Chemotherapy compiled – 15 May 2024

· Deliverable 1.7: Relevant donor reports and proposals finalized during the consultancy period as required - 30 June 2024

· Deliverable 1.8: ICD SharePoint updated with the latest information and updates in the tracking tools designed for NTDs – Ongoing until the end of the Consultancy period.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Relevant first university degree from a recognized university in science, medicine or nursing.

Desirable: Master’s degree in public health, tropical diseases, epidemiology or related field is preferable.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 5 years relevant experience working with the health ministries on control and elimination of at least one of neglected tropical diseases, communicable diseases, or health systems in developing countries in the Western Pacific Region.

Desirable: Experience in implementation of health projects in remote and hard-to-reach settings will be an asset.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential: Proven knowledge and skills in collecting and reporting data. Proficiency in word and excel.

Desirable: Knowledge and skills in health products and supply chain management will be an asset.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential: Expert knowledge of English

Location

Manila, Philippines On site: Western Pacific Regional Office

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel to the following countries as needed:

· Micronesia (the Federated State of) – 15 March 2024

· Brunei Darussalam – 30 February 2024

The work might also require occasional travel to countries in the Region, according to priority as follows:

1) Federated State Micronesia; 2) Brunei Darussalam; 3) Philippines; 4) Fiji; 5) Papua New Guinea; 6) Samoa; 7) Solomon Islands; 8) French Polynesia; and 9) Cambodia.

The travel will support the NTD/ICD Team in coordinating NTD Programs and participating in the integrated country missions at the primary health care level for reaching the unreached population.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

· Remuneration: Brand Level A (USD 200 per day)

· Expected duration of contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year): 6 months

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.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
• WHO shall have no responsibility 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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (1) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this ling for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates