Consultant - Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) Surveillance, Vientiane

Purpose of consultancy

The primary objective of this consultancy is to improve the quality and sensitivity of polio surveillance (acute flaccid paralysis and environmental) at the national and sub-national levels, and almost 70% of the consultant's capacities will be utilized in this area of work. Additional objectives include support the implementation of routine immunization/other VPD surveillance activities (including Adverse Events Following Immunization [AEFI]), supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), and outbreak investigation and response activities.

Background

Lao People's Democratic Republic achieved its polio-free status in 2000, but after circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreak in 2015-2016 some gaps detected in surveillance system and sensitivity of polio surveillance has declined over the last five years. Surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) includes rapid reporting and investigation of all cases of AFP, with collection of two stool specimens within 14 days of paralysis onset and follow up 60 days after onset for due cases for evidence of residual paralysis. Sensitive surveillance for AFP with quality case investigation and adequate stool specimen collection are essential for the detection of wild polio virus (WPV) or VDPV circulation thereby leading up to the goal of polio eradication. AFP surveillance is also critical for documenting the absence of poliovirus circulation after the detection of WPV or cVDPV in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

As part of enhancing the quality and sensitivity of AFP surveillance, the WHO Lao PDR Country Office will contract Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) Surveillance consultant. This position will be contracted for at least 4.5 months, with the potential for renewal depending on funding availability. This VPDs consultant will work under the supervision of the WHO Country Office in Lao People's Democratic Republic, with general guidance of WHO Regional Office, in coordination with the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), national immunization programme (NIP).

Deliverables

Under the overall supervision of the WCO/Lao PDR EPI team lead and with guidance of WHO Regional Office in collaboration with the WPRO/VDI team coordinator, the incumbent will be responsible for completing the following tasks and activities:

Output 1: Improve the quality and sensitivity of polio surveillance, as well as improving surveillance performance in high-priority provinces or among high-risk sub-populations

Deliverable 1.1: Timely and accurate planning, implementation and monitoring of AFP, and environmental surveillance (including AEFI) activities. Deliverable 1.2: Liaise with Ministry of Health, National Immunization Program (NIP), National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), provincial health offices, district health offices and relevant partners for all logistic management and for field activities related to polio surveillance programs. Deliverable 1.3: Plan and implement activities for improving the quality of AFP and environmental surveillance through regular detailed data analysis, desk and field reviews as required. Deliverable 1.4: Conduct capacity building activities of national and sub-national staffs. Deliverable 1.5: Strengthening facility/community-based and active surveillance. Deliverable 1.6: Develop/update of polio surveillance guidelines, training materials, standard operating procedures, job aids and other materials.

Output 2: Implementation of routine immunization/other VPD surveillance activities (including Adverse Events Following Immunization [AEFI]), supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), and outbreak investigation and response activities.

Deliverable 2.1: Assist MOH, NCLE/NIP, Provinces, and districts in conducting detailed investigations and response activities of polio outbreaks. Deliverable 2.2: Assist MOH, NIP/NCLE, provinces, districts and health facilities in recording, reporting and analysing surveillance, AEFI, immunization (including AEFI) and SIAs data to improve the data quality management and use of data for decision-making process. Deliverable 2.3: Provide regular updates on AFP, and environmental surveillance to VDI Team Lead with presentations and reports. Deliverable 2.4: Assist the VDI team lead in other VPD surveillance or routine immunization programs.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Undergraduate degree in Medicine, public health or related sciences Desirable: Postgraduate degree in public health or related discipline.

Experience:

Essential: At least 5 years of experience working in the field of disease prevention and control including immunization, AFP, ES and other VPDs surveillance and outbreak response programs. Desirable: Working experience in low and middle-income countries, in World Health Organization or nongovernmental and/or international organizations is highly desirable.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of and experience in managing vaccine-preventable disease (VPDs) surveillance, including AFP, ES and measles, and epidemiological data analyses.
• Conducting risk assessments for Polio, measles and other VPDs.
• Conducting outbreak investigations for Polio/measles or other VPDs.
• Developing guidelines, training manuals, standard operating procedures for surveillance of AFP, ES, Measles and other VPDs.
• Implementing training on surveillance, immunization, SIAs and/or outbreak detection and response programs.
• Have ability to work harmoniously in a team, adapt to a diverse education and cultural background and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Languages and level required:

Proficient in written and spoken English.

Location

On site: Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel within Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Remuneration

Remuneration: Payband level B – USD 7,000 (monthly) Expected duration of contract: 5.5 months, 15 August 2024 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. • 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 [email protected]

• 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: (i) 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 the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.

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Added 17 hours ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: who.int