National Consultant - conduct a prevalence survey

Purpose of consultancy

Conduct a survey to access the prevalence of trachoma in the previous trachoma-endemic areas in the governorates of southern Tunisia

Background

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. It is caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection is transmitted by direct or indirect transfer of eye and nose discharges of infected people, particularly young children who harbor the principal reservoir of infection.

In Tunisia, trachoma was omnipresent in the country at the beginning of the 20th century. The prevention and control of trachoma was considered a high priority even before independence.

Given the considerable efforts done for many years to control this disease, it is considered as trachoma has been eliminated from Tunisia starting with the northern and central regions and then the southern regions which had recorded the last cases of active trachoma.

Tunisian Health Ministry has started a process of validation with technical support from WHO for the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. During this process, it was revealed that the available data on the epidemiology of trachoma in Tunisia dates back to the end of the eighties of the 20th century. Therefore, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the WHO and other technical partners (eg Tropical data) will conduct a prevalence survey in the 6 southern governorates (Gafsa, Gabes, Kébili, Tozeur, Médenine and Tataouine) which were previously trachoma endemic.

A national consultant will be recruited to conduct this survey.

Work to be performed

The national consultant will coordinate the conduct of the survey to assess the prevalence of trachoma in the governorates of southern Tunisia. This survey aims to estimate in the populations residing in the regions of southern Tunisia:

1. the prevalence of the active form: Trichomatous inflammation, follicular (TF) in children aged 1 to 9 years.

2. Prevalence of trichomatous scarring: Trichomatous trichiasis in adults aged 15 years and over

Deliverables

The expected deliverables are:

Output 1: Develop a database containing the results of the survey in Excel format.

Output 2: Conduct a survey report validated by the steering committee of trachoma elimination.

Output 3: Submit a summary report and powerpoint presentation summarizing the main results of the survey.

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Essential: University degree in epidemiology, public health, community medicine, preventive medicine, family medicine, or relevant field

Desirable: Master’s in Epidemiology or public health or related fields

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of relevant experience in any of the following or related areas

i. Epidemiology

ii. Conducting surveys

iii. Managing research projects in the field of health

iv. Mastering the quantitative analysis of single and multi-varied data

v. Desirable: working experience with WHO and or international organizations on related assignments.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of French, English, and local language.

Location

Many governorates

Travel dates

Location:

From

October

To

December 2023

Gabes, Kébili , Gafsa, Tozeur ,Medenine et Tataouine

Purpose:

Purpose of the mission: training, supervision of the survey

Medical

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

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

· Remuneration: at the national pay rate of NO-C

· Expected duration of the contract: 30 days starting from: 1/10/2023 till 15/12/2023

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.