National Consultant – Surveillance and Response Systems Strengthening, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Purpose of consultancy

The national consultant will coordinate and support MOH and WHE on surveillance, response, and overall public health emergency management in Lao PDR.

Background

WHO Lao PDR has been working closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) in strengthening capacities required under the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) for public health emergency preparedness and response in Lao PDR. The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) supports MOH in strengthening key areas of surveillance, response, and public health emergency management for infectious diseases and other public health hazards.

Deliverables

The consultant will work together with WHE technical staff by providing on-site technical and administrative support as necessary, under the supervision of the team leader of WHE Lao PDR and be guided by the WHO Country Office. The consultant will provide support in the following activities and submit reports as requested and as needed:

• Provide technical support in the monitoring and review of surveillance and response systems;
• Provide technical support in implementing multisource surveillance and other public health emergency operations center (PHEOC) functions;
• Provide technical support in implementing field epidemiology trainings;
• Develop materials for trainings and meetings related to surveillance and response strengthening;
• Support rapid response teams during acute public health events;
• Support in interpretation and document translations from English to Lao and Lao to English;

Output/s

Output 1: Provide technical support in the monitoring and review of surveillance and response systems. Deliverable 1.1: Technical reports and other relevant documents related to data quality assessments and/or review of surveillance systems. Deliverable 1.2: Technical reports and other relevant documents related to strengthening surveillance and response systems in Lao PDR.

Output 2: Provide technical support in implementing multisource surveillance and other public health emergency operations center (PHEOC) functions. Deliverable 2.1: Training, meeting, or supervision reports related to multisource surveillance and other public health emergency operations center (PHEOC) functions.

Output 3: Provide technical support in implementing field epidemiology trainings. Deliverable 3.1: Training reports or other technical documents related to field epidemiology training.

Output 4: Develop materials for trainings and meetings related to surveillance and response strengthening. Deliverable 4.1: Training materials including job-aids developed or updated related to surveillance and response

Output 5: Support rapid response teams during acute public health events. Deliverable 5.1: Technical reports related to field investigations and/or response to acute public health events.

Output 6: Support in interpretation and document translations from English to Lao and Lao to English. Deliverable 6.1: Meeting reports where simultaneous interpretation was provided. Deliverable 6.2: Materials translated from English to Lao and Lao to English.

Output 7: Monthly technical reports Deliverable 7.1: Timely submission of the technical reports of WHO-supported activities

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Education:

Essential: University degree in health sciences or relevant areas from a recognized university. Desirable: Advanced university degree (master's level or higher) in public health.

Experience:

Essential: Minimum of two years' relevant work experience in public health. Desirable: Experience in surveillance or communicable disease response. Experience in working with MOH is an asset.

Knowledge & skills:

Experience in conducting trainings or workshops and developing training materials in Lao and English. Ability to interact effectively with health professionals at various levels and to work with national counterparts, and international technical staff. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Flexibility for urgent work

Language requirements:

Expert knowledge of English and Lao (speaking, reading, and writing) are essential.

Location

On site: Vientiane Lao, PDR

Travel

The consultant is expected to undertake domestic travel.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: TBD Expected duration of contract: 9 months, estimated start date: 1 April 2024

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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• 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.
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