National Consultant - Epidemiologist, Mongolia

Purpose of the Consultancy

The contractor will be responsible for providing technical and program management support to the WHO Health Emergencies in the WHO Representative’s Office Mongolia to support surveillance and innovations through introducing innovations, data analysis, event verification, and risk assessment and strengthening FETP.

Background

Surveillance systems not only detect and monitor pathogens, but support evidence-informed operational decision-making, and transparent sharing of information routinely, before and during pandemics.

Data and information are at the center of evidence-based decision-making in health security – informing risk assessments, planning, response measures, and other critical interventions. To generate timely and high-quality data and information, well-functioning health information systems are needed that integrate data collection, processing, reporting, and analysis. Routine health information forms the baseline for public health emergency forecasting and detection. However, In Mongolia, these information systems are challenged by fragmentation and incomplete or untimely data, making it difficult to generate accurate and reliable information and evidence for decision-making.

Planned timelines

Start date: 20 August 2023 End date: 20 June 2024

Work to be performed

Method(s) to carry out the activity

· Undertake analysis on the system set-up of disease surveillance systems in Mongolia.

· Conduct and provide reports on epidemiological analysis and the process of verification and risk assessment on reported public health events and develop reports and recommendations for actions.

· Conduct, in collaboration with other team members, real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data, from a broad range of sources including non-health sectors, for epidemic forecasting and detection.

· Analyse, systematize, and disseminate scientific and evidence-based technical information and knowledge; support the development of the WHO Situation Reports, other related regular and ad-hoc surveillance reports.

· Undertake regular field supervision visits to assess and evaluate the implementation of surveillance activities, identify gaps and recommend corrective actions based on key performance indicators.

Deliverables:

1. Report on the analysis of the structure and system of disease surveillance in Mongolia, with substantive description of setup, network structure, coordination, interlinkages and inter-operability of the different systems.

2. Regular reports on the on epidemiological analysis and verification of events

3. Regular situation reports of events

4. Report on field evaluation of surveillance systems.

Specific requirements

Qualifications required:

Education

Essential: Degree in epidemiology, public health, emergency management, or related field Desirable: Post-graduate degree or training in epidemiology

Experience

Essential: Prior experience in epidemiology and verification and risk assessment on reported public health events Minimum 8 years’ experience in related field. Desirable: Working experience in public health, emergency response, and management

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Proven skills and knowledge of emergency management and response

Language requirement:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Place of assignment

Mongolia (at her/his own place/office environment will not be provided)

Medical clearance

The Consultant will provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel

The Consultant is expected to undertake in-country travel as the need arises and upon approval by supervisor.

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 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. • 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.