Consultant roster: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Surveillance

-PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

The technical unit is seeking applications by professionals with a background in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance for roster purposes from the following fields: (i) microbiology, (ii) epidemiology, (iii) diagnostic stewardship, and (iv) data management, to support AMR implementation activities in the WHO European Region.

The aim is to the surveil the capacities available in the region for addressing AMR in the area of AMR surveillance (i.e., microbiology, epidemiology, diagnostic stewardship, data management and analysis), using WHO tools and standards. More specifically the purpose it to develop evidence-based technical reports including recommendations based on assessments carried out at the country level; to support the national authorities to deliver on NAP-AMR recommendations in the area of AMR surveillance; and to carry out capacity building activities in the area of AMR surveillance (i.e., microbiology, epidemiology, diagnostic stewardship, data management and analysis), using WHO tools and standards.

BACKGROUND

The objective of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) unit at the WHO European Region is to provide sound technical support to the Member States’ national authorities through: i) Mapping their AMR systems and response capacities and developing and implementing their inclusive National Action Plans (NAPs); ii) contributing to the global knowledge on AMR by establishing integrated AMR surveillance; iii) sustained capacity strengthening along with knowledge and awareness raising activities; and iv) ensuring availability of and access to strategic guidance for detection, verification, risk assessment, communication and public health response to emergencies due to AMR that might constitute national, regional and international public health concern in the European countries.

The CAESAR network supports its network members in setting up and strengthening antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance. This includes several activities ranging from diagnostics and antimicrobial susceptibility testing to data analysis and monitoring of resistance rates. The work is carried out in close cooperation with Member States, in order to achieve incremental improvements of their surveillance networks and data outputs. Countries that previously did not systematically generate, collect and collate AMR data have started to do so after receiving support by designated projects aiming to improve detection and diagnosis of invasive infections. Despite this progress, a number of CAESAR network members do not yet have the full capacity for national AMR surveillance and several countries among those that are providing data to the CAESAR network need to strengthen their surveillance systems to provide representative data for the target population.

Laboratory standards and proficiency are a pillar of surveillance systems, and annual EQA exercises have been carried out since the establishment of the network in 2012. Treatment decision support and national AMR surveillance depend on the quality of diagnostic services that are available to health professionals in a country.

DELIVERABLES

1. Carry out assessments (including the following topics: microbiology, epidemiology, diagnostic stewardship and data management), to determine the status of the AMR response in the field of AMR surveillance and prepare targeted recommendations to foster implementation.
2. Carry out country visits to deliver capacity building and tutoring on AMR surveillance (including the following topics: microbiology, epidemiology, diagnostic stewardship and data management);
3. Prepare and facilitate national stakeholder workshops and technical working group meetings covering AMR surveillance.
4. Develop and present training packages on AMR surveillance using WHO tools and standards.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications for Experts level (Band C)

Education

Essential:

• Advanced university degree and/or medical degree, with specialization in clinical microbiology/ infectious diseases; or epidemiology; or data management.

Desirable:

• PhD in one of the disciplines epidemiology/ microbiology/ infectious diseases.

Experience

Essential

• Over 10 years of professional experience in microbiology, infectious diseases or epidemiology including Antimicrobial Resistance at the international level in respective area/s.
• For clinical microbiologists: Experience with microbiological proficiency testing (EQA) and EUCAST standard implementation

Desirable:

• Work experience in the WHO European Region, and/or low- and middle-income countries
• Experience with CAESAR and GLASS Surveillance manuals and protocols

Qualifications for Specialist level (BAND B)

Education

Essential

• First level university degree and/or medical degree, with specialization in clinical microbiology/ infectious diseases; or epidemiology; or data management.

Desirable

• Advanced university degree and/or medical degree with with specialization in clinical microbiology/ infectious diseases; or epidemiology; or data management.

Experience

Essential

• At least 5 years of professional experience in microbiology, infectious diseases or epidemiology including Antimicrobial Resistance at the international level in respective area/s.
• For clinical microbiologists: Experience with microbiological proficiency testing (EQA) and EUCAST standard implementation.

Desirable

• Work experience in the WHO European Region, and/or low- and middle-income countries.
• Experience with CAESAR and GLASS Surveillance manuals and protocols.

Skills/Knowledge (Band B & C)

Essential

• Great communication and teaching skills
• Strong report writing skills in English language
• Knowledge of online surveillance tools MS Office

Desirable

• Research methodology and/or experience in monitoring and evaluation

Languages (Band B & C)

Essential

• Expert level English skills

Desirable

• Intermediate or Expert level Russian language skills

LOCATION

Off site: Remote work

TRAVEL

Frequent travel in the WHO European Region (depending on assignment).

REMUNERATION

Remuneration package is based on classified requirements of the Terms of Reference of the individual consultant. Contract with related academic andprofessional experience applied for the grade in accordance with WHO’s consultants’ s pay band ranges according to the deliverables presented to WHO.Payment will be made in US $.

• Expected duration of contract: assignments vary between 15 and 60 days.

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'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.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of theoutcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on theroster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion inthe Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.