Data management Consultant (IHP)- NOC

Contract

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

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

Effective prevention and response to emerging and re-emerging pathogen epidemics relies on timely intervention, ideally informed by all proper data management. Effective data management can provide with real-time information that have the potential to monitor, contain and even stop the spread of disease. Without it, it is impossible to track disease trends, recognise new disease threats, identify serious outbreaks, monitor control measures or design effective immunisation policies. Once a major outbreak occurs, it is vital to have a data management system that supports efficient data capture and information flow, and that can provide a master list of up-to-date case-based information in real time. IHP is collecting different types of data targeting potential infectious hazards that affecting the public health with the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The purpose of the work is to maintain and manage epidemiological data and platforms of different emerging and epidemic prone diseases and to develop an interactive dashboard for providing access to all relevant information on outbreaks events; and manage the implementation and maintenance of the IHP online portals and supporting users on the data entry, data management, data uploading and producing reports. In addition, the work will support the transfer and maintenance of the EMFLU web-based platform for its hosting (cloud) server to EMRO servers.

2. Background

Over the past years, the Eastern Mediterranean Region has witnessed several emerging epidemics that presented a threat to global health security and highlighted the importance of data management as cornerstone for better preparedness and response. Timely collection, analysis and providing feedback to decision-makers and stakeholders is crucial on seasonal epidemics of influenza as well as for preparedness for an influenza and other emerging respiratory threats epidemics and pandemics.

IHP is working closely with Member States within the region to collect the epidemiological data related to targeted emerging diseases. Those diseases include influenza, MERS, Cholera and other emerging infectious diseases. In addition, IHP is supporting countries with emergencies to maintain the functionality of Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN). Moreover, IHP is maintaining different platforms to ensure the timely dissemination of the knowledge with stakeholders. The focus of this consultancy is to support IHP to maintain and manage epidemiological data and platforms of different emerging and epidemic prone diseases. In EMR, countries have varying capacities for data collection, analysis and reporting regarding influenza and respiratory diseases. Under PIP, priority countries in particular and, other countries in the region in general have been supported to strengthen data management capacities. A regional platform for influenza data sharing has been developed (EMFLU.ORG) and is gradually being introduced to countries in the Region for sharing influenza surveillance data online

3. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 15/01/2021

End date: 14/07/2021

4. Work to be performed

Output 1: To strengthen the capacity to manage surveillance data for respiratory illness including Influenza, MERS and COVID-19, and other emerging infectious diseases

• Support the timely and high-quality collection, analyses, production and dissemination of influenza and other emerging diseases data/information from member states
• facilitate the emerging diseases data sharing.
• Develop tools to harmonize data collection across IHP workstreams to facilitate consolidation of information and respond to specific information requests from technical units and partners.
• Identify gaps in health information management and ensure dissemination of information and knowledge sharing with all team members and countries.
• Aggregate and data/information related to the respiratory diseases at country and regional levels including performance monitoring, health indicator data, health situation data, and health response data.
• Provide technical expertise related to information and data management to ensure sustainability and improving of data sharing. management and reporting and strengthen access easily and rapidly to information.
• Design and manage databases, spreadsheets and other data tools, related to different diseases by ensuring accuracy, consistency and comparability of quality of high-value data, and consolidate operational information on one repository and common dashboard.
• Strengthen the capacity of focal points in the member states on surveillance data management, especially influenza, MERS-CoV, COVID-19 and other emerging diseasesFollow up and coordinate with member states on data reporting and sharing to the regional and global databases.

Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1.1: Produce regular and ad hoc infographic bulletins and visuals of disease specific data using EMFLU or other software
• Deliverable 1.2: Produce 24 Weekly and 6 monthly bulletins and disseminate widely to all member states and stakeholders

Produces 24 Weekly and 6 monthly update on reporting status

Output 2: Support Member States in managing the OPHEP and EWARN data platforms for timely detection and response

• Improve and manage the existing data management portals for OPHEP and EWARN at regional and country levels;
• Provide technical and practical advice in preparing user requirements specifications to develop OPHEP and the new global EWARN platform.
• Support further development and enhancements of data portals including data management and visualization capacity
• Promote use of data portals and data visualization tools and foster inter-country and cross-departmental collaboration
• Provide technical support to Member States on the use of the online portals, and review, analyse and provide feedback to the Member States on the data reported and utilization.
• Follow up and coordinate with the development team on analysing and designing the regional online platform.
• Review and test the developed functions and make sure it fits the user requirements.
• Provide technical support and training to system users during the implementation phase.

Deliverables:

• Deliverable 2.1: Upgrade the online portals at regional and country levels
• Deliverable 2.2: User requirements specifications to develop the new global EWARN platform
• Deliverable 2.3: Weekly and monthly update on reporting status on EWARN
• Deliverable 2.4: Produce 6 Monthly reports on the epidemiological status

Output 3: Developing and maintaining platforms of different emerging and epidemic prone diseases

• Improve and manage the existing data management portals for emerging and epidemic prone platforms (e.g. influenza, MERS-CoV, COVID-19 and others)
• To manage and maintain emerging and epidemic prone platforms e.g. Flu, Cholera, OPHEP and integrated responses.
• Adapt the surveillance information platform to collect data of other priority diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, etc.
• Integrate and synchronize data between regional and global platforms by developing sustained integration tools.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting to Member States
• Conduct missions and online training for member states on using and implementing the new features and functions and improving the data management aspects.

Deliverables:

• Deliverable 3.1: on weekly base, updated platforms including flu, COVID-19, cholera and OPHEP
• Deliverable 3.2: Produce 6 Monthly reports on synchronized data between regional and global platforms
• Deliverable 3.3: Documented technical problems and the solution to build the capacities at national level to deal with different platforms during the contract period.

5. Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

Responsible Officer:

Dr Amgad Elkholy

Medical officer, WHE/IHP

Manager:

Dr Abdinasir Abubakar,

Acting Manager, WHE/IHP

6. Specific requirements

- Qualifications required:

First university degree on data management, computer science, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, Health Policy, Bio Statistics or another related field.

- Experience required:

Essential: At least five years' professional experience in data management, software, graphic presentation of data. Good understanding of infectious emerging diseases data management and analysis. Experience in managing/updating web pages.

Desirable: Experience in the UN system or significant immunization partner organization.

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Knowledge of emerging diseases and reporting systems.- Advanced computer applications in particular MS Excel, Access and Geographic Information System Software.- Data input skills, demonstrated ability to use software to enter, manipulate and analyze data, ability to use mapping software to produce statistical thematic maps, experience in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, etc.), ability to work in multicultural environment.- Experience in managing data, data visualization including producing graphics.- Ability to work as a team member, and sensitivity to working in a multi-cultural environment.- Excellent oral communication skills.- Conscientiousness with ability to take initiative and work independently.- Familiarity with the UN system, including knowledge of WHO country and regional functions.

- Language requirements:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic and/or French

7. Place of assignment

Cairo, Egypt

8. Medical clearance

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

9. Travel

Travel may be required based on the technical needs.

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

• 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.