International Consultant – To support in developing and implementing national seasonal influenza vaccination policies and programmes

Purpose of consultancy

• Support national decision-makers in developing or strengthening their national influenza vaccination policies and programmes.
• Guide member states to the importance of integration of seasonal influenza vaccination with other vaccination under EPI at the ministry of Health.
• Support countries to be familiar with the process to conduct baseline assessments, monitor and evaluate the seasonal influenza vaccination programme to address the strengths and area to work on.

Background

Influenza is associated with an estimated 3–5 million cases of severe illness and as many as 650 000 respiratory-related deaths per year globally. Influenza vaccines are safe and effective. Vaccination is currently the most effective intervention for preventing severe disease and reducing the impact of influenza and has been found to be cost-effective in Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) priority groups. Influenza vaccination can protect people in at-risk groups, help maintain the health system during influenza epidemics and pandemics and provide a foundation for pandemic preparedness and response. During both the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, countries with an existing seasonal influenza vaccination programme were able to use the experience and systems developed from annual seasonal influenza vaccine production and administration to support introduction, deployment, and uptake of pandemic vaccines.

Within the context of the Global Influenza Strategy 2019–2030, WHO supports countries in developing and implementing national seasonal influenza vaccination policies for health and care workers, pregnant people, older adults, adults with chronic conditions, and other vulnerable populations.

The influenza vaccination situation in the EMR is varied, with some countries reporting having well established policies, programs, and strong supply of vaccine, whereas others having no policy or program and no supply systems; these differences may be due to resources, social, political, and economic variations. This makes a strong case for development of regional roadmap for strengthening of influenza vaccination policies and programs with a targeted approach to address the different contexts of influenza vaccine use and to strengthen the seasonal influenza vaccination programs in EMR.

Work to be performed

The consultant needs to perform the following:

**OUTPUT 1: **Comprehensive review and updated national vaccine policies for 14 countries using the influenza vaccine policy brief and checklist****

Deliverable 1.1: Conduct an initial review of the available national vaccine policies using the influenza vaccine policy brief and checklist. Deliver an initial report summarizing the current status, strengths, and gaps in each country's vaccine policy.

Deliverable 1.2: Organize and facilitate stakeholder consultation for 2 countries. Engage national health authorities, immunization program managers, and other relevant stakeholders to discuss findings from the initial review and gather input for policy updates.

Deliverable 1.3: Guide national decision-makers in enhancing the national vaccine policies for 2 countries based on the comprehensive review and stakeholder feedback. Ensure that the updated policies align with global best practices and WHO recommendations.

**OUTPUT 2: **Provide countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region with expert technical assistance to implement an influenza vaccination programme or include influenza vaccination in their national immunization programme****

Deliverable 2.1: Organize meeting with decision-makers of 2 countries and guide them of the importance of integration of seasonal influenza vaccination into the routine national immunization services.

Deliverable 2.2: Develop a tailored technical assistance plan for countries, outlining specific actions and timelines to enhance integrate Influenza vaccination programs into broader immunization systems.

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Master's level university degree in public health and epidemiology.

Experience

Essential:

• Over 10 years of relevant experience in Vaccines and Immunization including vaccine procurement and management, monitoring and evaluation including relevant internal experience.
• Senior expert in areas of public health principles and practices, particularly in the context of infectious diseases and vaccine-preventable illnesses.
• Senior expert on International Health Regulations (IHR) and Global Health security (preparedness and response to public health emergencies, including emerging and re-emerging diseases)

Desirable:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey technical concepts to diverse audiences, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work effectively in diverse cultural and geographic contexts, collaborating with stakeholders from different countries and regions.
• Strong project management skills to coordinate technical assistance activities, manage timelines and deliverables, and ensure the successful implementation of consultancy tasks.
• Ability to engage with stakeholders at various levels, including government agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations, to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Track record of publications in disease burden estimation, vaccine effectiveness and vaccine impact.

Skills/Knowledge

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language
• Excellent writing and analytical skills to draft synthesis, documents, and/or reports
• Excellent basic computer skills
• Data Management skills
• Organization and efficiency skills
• Interpersonal and collaboration skills

Languages and level required

Essential Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language.

Desirable Intermediate level of French Language is an asset.

Location

Remotely

Medical clearance

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

Travel

The selected Consultant will be expected to travel to countries of the Region upon request.

Hiring Unit

WHO EMRO - Infectious Hazard Preparedness Unit

Remuneration and Expected duration of the contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year)

• Remuneration: Band level “C”.
• Expected duration of the contract 2.5 months starting from 15 August 2024.

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: Enhanced WHO global competency model

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:

a) Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.

b) All required details regarding your qualifications, education, and training are provided.

c) Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

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 an 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and is committed to putting 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.
• 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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.