Consultant - Pandemic Preparedness Planning

.1. Purpose of the Position

Provide technical support to the WHO Regional Office for Europe in the area of pandemic preparedness planning.

2. Organizational context

The consultancy will be conducted as part of the work of the Infectious Hazards Management (IHM) programme of the Regional Office, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, in collaboration with other programmes within the WHE as well as other relevant divisions in particular health systems.

3. Description of duties

1. Through a balanced approach consisting of country missions and virtual meetings, the consultant will:

• Develop a written approach for national pandemic preparedness planning which will result in multisectoral, resourced pandemic preparedness plans that are an integral part of health strategies. The approach should be based on WHO guidance, the response to COVID-19, previous experience with pandemic preparedness planning and specific needs and processes for emergency preparedness planning of priority countries in the WHO European Region. The approach may include the development of planning guidance and templates (45 days);
• Pilot-test the approach in 3-4 Member State (40 days);
• Adjust the approach according to pilot test and prepare it for publication (15 days).

2. Provide input in their areas of expertise to the development of WHO guidance on pandemic preparedness (7 days).

3. Participate in regular meetings (and facilitate/present if required) with the Regional office, WHO HQ and country offices (10 days).

4. Collate internal lessons learned from COVID-19, based on existing assessments and reviews, to inform the pandemic preparedness planning approach (10 days).

5. Report on progress and developments on a monthly basis by submitting a short report (max. 1 page) by the last working day of each month (3 days).

4. Recruitment Profile

Functional Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication, facilitation and report writing skills in English
• Experienced in preparedness and response plan development
• Capable of working independently and autonomously
• Self-motivated with strong attention to detail and quality

Education Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in medicine, infectious diseases, epidemiology or related field
• Master’s degree in public health, health policy or health systems or related discipline

Desirable

• Training in emergency preparedness planning

Experience

Essential

• At least 7 years’ experience working in the area of pandemic and/or emergency preparedness and response planning through multisectoral processes

Desirable

• At least 3 years’ experience working for WHO or another international public health organization

Languages

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English Desirable: Fluent knowledge of Russian

5. Contract duration

15 April to 31 December 2022

6. Location

Offsite

7. Travel

The consultant will be required to travel.

8. Remuneration

Band level B. USD420 per day

9. Work schedule/Duration of contract

9 months - Working schedule to be agreed with supervisors.

10. Additional Information section

• 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.
• 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.