Consultant Roster-Event-Based Surveillance (EBS)

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to position a regional resource dedicated to supporting the strengthening of the early warning function of the surveillance system – more specifically its event-based surveillance component – in the Member States through the implementation and adoption of public health intelligence frameworks and tools under the direction of EIOS Core Team (ECT) at WHO-HQ, with a specific focus on supporting the EIOS Expansion Strategy.

2. Background

The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is mandated to enhance WHO’s capacity for the rapid detection, assessment, and follow-up of all public health risks. This provides the opportunity to establish a framework that facilitates the implementation of a common approach to epidemic intelligence and public health event management across all levels of the organization.

The EIOS initiative is a unique global partnership between organizations involved in epidemic intelligence that aims at building a network for minimizing the impact of emerging risks to human health through their timely detection, their assessment, and their rapid reporting at the member state, regional and global levels. The network is supported by the EIOS system, which allows users to collect and filter open-source information to facilitate these activities. The EIOS Initiative will help strengthen member state capacity for early detection and evidence-based decision-making, as required by IHR.

The EIOS Initiative Expansion Strategy provides a framework for the incremental growth of the EIOS Initiative through the inclusion of new stakeholders. It guides the processes for the identification, selection, and addition of new participants. Key among these participants are the Member States.

This initiative is conducted is in complement of the efforts of the Regional Office to strengthen the early warning function of the surveillance system – more specifically its event-based surveillance component.

During the current COVID-19 outbreak, event-based surveillance (EBS) was key to detect the occurrence of new cases in countries of the region as well as exported cases from the Region.

During the last months, through a previous consultancy, EIOS was deployed in Oman and in Egypt, two countries that have particularly been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Event-based surveillance including community-based surveillance was strengthened in Jordan and in Morocco.

Plans are now to ensure that the systems that have been newly established are well maintained and that new countries can benefit from the deployment of EIOS as well as from the Regional Office for implementing EBS.

3. Planned timelines (12 months)

Start date: 1/11/2021

End date: 31/10/2022

4. Work to be performed

Output 1: Provide technical Support to Member States that adopted EIOS during Phase 1 and 2 of the expansion (7 countries). Deliverable 1.1: provide a technical input in the development of national SOPs for EIOS. Deliverable 1.2Contribute in the detection of COVID-19 cases. Deliverable 1.3: Maintain user profiles as required in collaboration with the WHE/HIM/ISA/ECT.

Output 2: technically support the evolution and enhancement of the EIOS system and initiative Deliverable 2.1: Document continued phased EIOS initiative expansion to regional Member States and develop corresponding work plans. Deliverable 2.2: Provide written feedback to the WHE/HIM/ISA/ECT on bugs, requirements, enhancements, etc to support the ongoing evolution and improvement of the EIOS system, including epidemiological data management and visualization.

Output 3: Enhancement of Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) in EMR Member States Deliverable 3.1: Develop processes for implementing EBS in Member States requesting support. Deliverable 3.2: Engage with identified Member States to initiate support for implementing EBS including EIOS.

5. Technical Supervision

The selected consultant will work under the supervision of: Responsible Officer: Dr Mahmoud Sadek Email: [email protected]

Manager: Dr Pierre Nabeth Email: [email protected]

Specific requirements

- Qualifications required:

Essential: Completion of a university degree in medicine, public health or related field;

Desirable: Relevant advanced qualification in epidemiology and/or public health

- Experience required:

Essential: up to 5 years of experience working in the country support, surveillance and IT solutions.

Desirable: Working knowledge of the EIOS platform; Work experience with the WHO or other UN agencies.

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Good knowledge of WHO mandate and goals and UN programmes;
• Proven ability to communicate effectively. Excellent communication and writing skills;
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Tact, discretion and diplomacy

- Language requirements:

Essential: Competent in written and verbal English

7. Place of assignment

The work is expected to be carried out from the WHO Regional Office in Cairo, Egypt. Selected consultant may be deployed for a surge in any EMR countries during the COVID-19 response to support on the HIM work (as written on Work to be performed)

8. Medical clearance

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

9. Travel

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

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 the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.

• 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 - https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values
• 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.