International Consultant (One Health)

1.Purpose of the Consultancy

This consultancy will support the WHE unit, WHO Cambodia in providing systematic technical support to the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the areas of zoonoses, and multisectoral coordination using the One Health approach that aims to ensure coordinated actions with relevant stakeholders and partners in Cambodia.

2.Background

One Health was recently defined by the One Health High-Level Expert Panel as “an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems”. One Health recognizes the human-animal-environment interface interactions and is considered a collaborative approach to support the design and implementation of programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multisectoral actions are aligned to achieve better public health outcomes.

In Cambodia, collaboration between human and animal health sectors on zoonotic diseases such as rabies and avian influenza has been on-going for several years and there is a strong food safety working group consisting of 6 ministries. Most recently, a One Health zoonotic disease prioritization was conducted and five top diseases identified (avian flu, COVID-19, rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Nipah virus) a National Bridging Workshop was conducted in Cambodia with participation from all key Ministries. Outputs of this workshop included the development of a One Health joint road map that sets out the gaps and priorities across key cross-sectoral technical areas.

However, work remains on strengthening the relationships and building a truly collaborative and coordinated approach to these areas of work. The One Health approach is even more relevant as we learn from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reinforced the concept that the control of emerging and zoonotic infectious diseases requires enhanced coordination and active collaboration across animal and human health sectors, as well as other related sectors.

3.Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

• Start date: 1 Feb 2024
• End Date: 30 September 2024

4.Work to be performed

Under the direct supervision of the responsible Technical Officer, the consultant will support the implementation of the zoonoses workplan utilizing One Health multisectoral platform and approach. The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:

Output 1: Provide technical assistance on zoonotic disease programme of work using One Health principles and through coordination with the Quadripartite and other partners

• Facilitate review of existing plan and development of a joint zoonotic disease action plan that includes the five priority zoonotic diseases
• Conduct stakeholder mapping for zoonotic diseases
• Collaborate with government stakeholders and partners to support mapping of hotspots of spillover risks for zoonotic diseases at national and subnational level
• Support to advance coordinated One Health surveillance for zoonosis

Key deliverables:

• National Joint One Health zoonotic disease action plan drafted
• Map of country stakeholders for zoonotic diseases and areas of work
• Map of hotspots of zoonotic risk at national and subnational levels in Cambodia

Output 2: Provide assistance for One Health coordination including with Government and partners

• Facilitate and document multisectoral consultations to finalize the drafted One Health strategy incorporating findings of the National Bridging Workshop (NBW) Roadmap
• Facilitate the convening of Quadripartite and partners meetings in line with agreed schedule, document meetings, and follow up on agreed action points

Key deliverables:

• Finalised One Health strategy for the next 5-10 years
• Documentation of OH consultations and meetings

5.Technical Supervision

The selected consultant will work under the supervision of:

Responsible Officer:

Epidemiologist

Email:

Manager:

WHE Team Lead

Email:

6.Specific requirements

Qualifications

• Essential: University degree in medicine, infectious diseases, public health, pharmacy, or veterinary studies from a recognized institution.
• Desirable: Additional training or an advanced university degree in a field related to AMR, food safety, zoonoses or multisectoral collaboration/One Health, or its equivalent.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of relevant experience at national level in areas of zoonotic diseases, public health, or One-Health

Desirable:

• Experience in coordination of national and international stakeholders, agencies/partners and multi-sectoral collaboration with diverse partners for One-Health
• Experience working in the UN environment, preferably with WHO, or with any other international agency.

Skills and knowledge

• Excellent abilities in overall management, organizational and coordination of technical workstream.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and sensitivity to political and cultural issues
• Proven ability to work in multisectoral teams and multicultural teams
• Proven ability to organize, deliver activities and meet deadlines

Language

• Written and spoken fluency in English are required.

7.Competencies

• Teamwork
• Technical expertise
• Communication
• Overall attitude at work
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

8.Place of assignment

The consultant will be assigned to WHO Cambodia Office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

9.Medical clearance

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

10.Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel only when required within Cambodia will be covered according to WHO rules.

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

11.Additional Information

For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

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The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.

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.

Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.