COVID-19 and EPI Vaccination Consultant

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 14 Jun 2022 at 21:59 UTC

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Purpose of the Consultancy

Planning activities and tools to identify and reach those excluded or not covered by the public health system, e.g. detainees, migrants and refugees, and stigmatized populations, with COVID-19-related testing, treatment, and prevention services, that may support vaccination services, as appropriate.

Background

Iran, with a population of about 84 million has suffered severe damage from the disease due to COVID-19 with about 103,530 deaths. Disease transmission occurs at the community level and epidemic control policies such as social distancing, travel restrictions, wearing face mask, avoiding crowded public places with poor air conditioning, and severe restrictions on reopening universities and schools have been implemented to flatten the transmission curve. By the introduction of the vaccines in January 2021, countries started mass vaccinations to reach a desireable population wide immunity. The National Vaccination & Deployment Plan (NDVP) announced in January 11th 2021, aimed to implement the COVID19 vaccination with the ultimate goal of cutting off the circulation of the COVID-19 virus by vaccinating almost 70% of the population from Winter 2021 to Spring 2022. Vaccines were mostly been provided through COVAX mechanism and the most used vaccine was Sinopharm. Domestic companies have added three different COVID-19 vaccines, COVOBarekat, Spikogen, and PastoCovac, to the vaccination program making Iran’s vaccination program one of the most varied programs in the region.

The NVDP started late (Febuary 2021) and slow at first due to the shortage of vaccine and the difficulty of shipment during the first few months, but reached to 149 million doses by the May 2022 (68% completed two dose regimen and around 31% received their booster dose as recommended by WHO). Currently, despite the available vaccine stock and different vaccine options, vaccine coverage for the 2-dose regimen is about 68%. Many factors are believed to attribute to this vaccination gap from people’s hesitancy in receiving vaccine to the inability of the health care system to reach specific population such as migrants and refugees, and stigmatized populations.

By this consultancy, we are planning to address and specifie the undelying causes describing the deficit in vaccine delivery in order to implement actions to mitigate the causes. The ultimate goal is to increase vaccine coverage, overall immunity to COVID-19, and a better control over the pandemic and to ensure maintaining coverage of other EPI vaccines.

Planned timelines:

Start date 1 Jul 2022

End date: 31 Dec 2022

Work to be performed

Output 1****: Provide support to the implementation of the demand planning components of NDVP and coverage of EPI vaccination among specific populations

Deliverable 1.1: Collect data and compile information of COVID-19 vaccination coverage, and social listening on COVID-19 and other EPI vaccines in Iran especially among some key populations (migrants, refugees and those hard to reach).

Deliverable 1.2: Actively engage with MoHME partners in developing a plan for the training of the healthcare workers, media and the public on vaccine related infodemic.

Deliverable 1.3: Develop of content and guidance to detect and respond to rumours, misinformation and disinformation with a real-time rapid response, especially online;

Output 2****: Conduct Knowledge management for COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines immunization.

Deliverable 2.1: Review international/local literature on new COVID-19 vaccine platforms and candidates including those available in Iran.

Deliverable 2.2: Mapping the scientific data against COVID-19 vaccine platforms and those availables in Iran.

Deliverable 2.3: Participate in webinars and virtual meetings of the World Health Organization and global partners on COVID-19 and other vaccination, and provide recommendation to the national program.

Deliverable 2.4: Provide necessary information and reports required by WHO at three levels and to guide local research priorities.

Deliverable 2.5: Translate of various documents for any of the above tasks and other.

Specific requirements

Essential: First University degree in medicine (M.D.) or MSc in relevant area

Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Public Health e.g. MPH or PhD in relevant fields

- Experience required:

Up to 5 years of relevant experience in working with health data management or literature review.

Desirable: -Work experience in vaccination, surveillance and/or health network

  • Work experience with WHO

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, within and outside the organization;

Excellent knowledge of technical advisory services in program related areas and the health systems;

Proven knowledge in project planning, design, monitoring and evaluation and management;

Excellent presentation and negotiation skills;

Excellent analytical skills

- Language requirements:

Excellent knowledge of English and local language

Place of assignment

Tehran, Iran. The consultant is supposed to work at both WCO office as instructed by the Responsible Officer. Frequently work from home or other modalities may be applied as per business continuinty plans regarding COVID-19 epidemic situation in the country or other emergencies.

Medical clearance

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

Travel

The Consultant is not expected to travel unless coordinated by WCO.

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.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

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.
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  • 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.
  • 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 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 final candidates.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int