National Consultant - AESI Surveillance

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant is expected to provide support in the study of COVID-19 vaccine Adverse Events of Special Interests (AESI) in Maldives. The AEFI consultant will be the representative at the National level to improve coordination and strengthen AESI surveillance.

Background

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Maldives has achieved considerable success in preventing and controlling vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs). According to WHO-UNICEF best estimates, at national level the programme has succeeded in maintaining coverage for all EPI antigens over 95% for more than a decade. The country was among the earliest in the South-East Asia Region (SEAR) to achieve maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE), eradicate polio, be verified to have eliminated measles and rubella, and introduce a hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) birth dose. Recent years have seen the introduction of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), and, most recently human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine. Reporting of the EPI target diseases (polio, measles, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis, neonatal tetanus (NT)) is mandatory and based on clinical and/or laboratory evidence. However, the program has been subject to several challenges in the past few years owing to limited staff, rapid staff over of staff and vacant positions of manager/coordinator and limited supervision/monitoring and training at field levels.

Maldives started COVID-19 vaccination on 1st February 2021. As of 18th April 2022, about 88.2%of eligible population have been given the 1st dose, 84.78% the second dose and 34.89% with booster dose. Currently the country is using COVISHEILD vaccine, AstraZeneca vaccine, Sinopharm vaccine and Pfizer vaccines. Adverse Events on Following Immunization (AEFI) Surveillance for COVID-19 vaccines was started in Maldives in 2021 and the AEFI Surveillance Guidelines were also published.

Along with AEFI surveillance, AESI surveillance for Covid-19 vaccines will be initiated in Maldives. This study will be conducted for one year duration. The primary aim of this study is to determine if COVID-19 vaccination is associated with an increased risk of selected adverse events of special interest (AESIs). Estimation of pre-specified adverse events of special interest (AESIs) of COVID-19 vaccine will enable countries and regions to define events, ensure the availability of suitable tools, provide training for relevant staff and identify disease codes and estimate background rates.

An AEFI consultant with medical background is necessary to provide support for this study. The AESI consultant will be placed at National Immunization Program, HPA and will work closely with the National AEFI committee and under supervision of Director General of Public Health and head of Communicable Diseases and control, with overall accountability of HPA. The AEFI consultant will be the representative at the national level to improve coordination and strengthen AESI surveillance.

Objectives and Deliverables

• To assist in the implementation of the AESI surveillance and work closely with the National Immunization Program and the National AEFI Committee.
• Collect and review pre-specified, specific AEFI data from health facilities for the AESI study.
• Coordinating interviews with patients and medical professionals regarding selected cases for AESI study.
• Conducting statistical analysis of data collected for AESI study.
• Support in strengthening AEFI/AESI surveillance at the National level.
• Assist in the strategic planning and management of AEFI/ AESI activities including research and M&E for AEFI.
• Support field visits within and outside the national level as required for monitoring AEFI /AESI activities and provide feedback to the National Immunization program manager and chair of AEFI Committee.
• Coordinate follow up of AEFI/AESI cases including sample collection and coordinating with laboratories for analysis of the samples.
• Work closely with partners in the field and at the national level.

Deliverables

Submission of the monthly progress report

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Degree in Medicine (M.B.B.S) or Masters in Nursing

Desirable: Candidate with additional post graduate qualification in public health will be preferred.

Experience:

Essential: At least 2-3 years of previous experience in Public Health/Health Sciences/project management/program coordination.

Desirable: Work experience in Maldives and/or other developing countries in the Asian Region. Experience in working with UN agencies.

Skills/Knowledge:

He/ She should have knowledge of statistical analysis, ability to compile and analyze large scale and diverse data and ability to share information harmoniously with multiple partners and work in a multi-cultural team environment.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced):

Essential: Expert knowledge of Dhivehi and English

Location

On site: Ministry of Health – Male’, Maldives

Travel

Travel maybe required as per the trainings and supervision and monitoring needs of the National Immunization Programme

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

1. Remuneration: MVR 35,494 per month
2. Expected duration of contract: From 1st July 2022 to 31 May 2023

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 ccredited/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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• This assignment is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station/assignment location.