Consultant – Surveillance and Response Systems Strengthening, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Purpose of consultancy

The international consultant will coordinate and support MOH and WHE on surveillance, response, and overall public health emergency management in Lao PDR.

Background

WHO Lao PDR has been working closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) in strengthening capacities required under the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) for public health emergency preparedness and response in Lao PDR. The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) supports MOH in strengthening key areas of surveillance, response, and public health emergency management for infectious diseases and other public health hazards.

Deliverables

The consultant will work together with WHE technical staff by providing on-site technical and administrative support as necessary, under the supervision of the team leader of WHE Lao PDR and be guided by the WHO Country Office. The consultant will provide support in the following activities and submit reports as requested and as needed:

• Review and strengthen surveillance and response systems in line with the Asia-Pacific Health Security Action Framework;
• Strengthen public health emergency management capacities including multisource surveillance and other public health emergency operations center (PHEOC) functions;
• Provide technical support in implementing field epidemiology trainings;
• Support the country in implementing IHR monitoring and evaluation framework activities including state party annual reporting (eSPAR), joint external evaluations (JEE), after action reviews (AAR) and simulation exercises;

Output/s

Output 1: Review and strengthen surveillance and response systems in line with the Asia-Pacific Health Security Action Framework.

Deliverable 1.1: Technical reports and other relevant documents related to data quality assessments and/or review of surveillance systems. Deliverable 1.2: Technical reports related to field investigations and/or response to acute public health events. Deliverable 1.3: Technical reports and other relevant documents related to surveillance and response strengthening activities.

Output 2: Strengthen public health emergency management capacities including multisource surveillance and other public health emergency operations center (PHEOC) functions.

Deliverable 2.1: Training materials including job-aids developed or updated related to public health emergency management. Deliverable 2.2: Training, meeting, or supervision reports related to public health emergency management.

Output 3: Provide technical support in implementing field epidemiology trainings.

Deliverable 3.1: Training materials developed or updated related to field epidemiology training. Deliverable 3.2: Training reports or other technical documents related to field epidemiology training.

Output 4: Support the country in implementing IHR monitoring and evaluation framework activities including state party annual reporting (eSPAR), joint external evaluations (JEE), after action reviews (AAR) and simulation exercises.

Deliverable 4.1: Technical reports and other relevant documents related to IHR monitoring and evaluation framework activities

Output 5: Monthly technical reports

Deliverable 5.1: Timely submission of the technical reports of WHO supported activities

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Education:

Essential: University degree in health sciences or relevant areas from a recognized university. Desirable: Post-graduate training in epidemiology (Field Epidemiology Training Programme) or advanced university degree (master's level or higher) related to epidemiology.

Experience:

Essential: Minimum of five years' relevant work experience related to epidemiology. Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO and/or other UN agencies. Field experience in outbreak and emergency surveillance and response programmes in low and/or middle-income countries in Asia.

Knowledge & skills:

• Skills and knowledge in field epidemiology in low- or middle-income countries.
• Skills and knowledge of conducting outbreak investigation planning, policies and standard operating procedures in low- or middle-income countries.
• Skills in planning and conducting training courses.
• Skills in planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of interventions.
• Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility for urgent work

Language requirements:

Expert knowledge of English (speaking, reading and writing) is essential.

Location

On-site: Vientiane, Lao PDR

Travel

Domestic travels are required.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Remuneration : Pay band level B, 350-400 USD per day for 20 days per month Expected duration of contract : 9 months, 1 April to 31 December 2024

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.
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