Consultant P3 Epidemiologist (HIM)

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to position a regional resource dedicated to supporting the strengthening of the early warning function of the surveillance system – more specifically its event-based surveillance component – in Member States through the implementation and adoption of public health intelligence frameworks and tools under the direction of EIOS Core Team (ECT) at WHO-HQ, with specific focus on supporting the EIOS Expansion Strategy.

Background

The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is mandated to enhance WHO’s capacity for the rapid detection, assessment and follow up of all public health risks. This provides the opportunity to establish a framework that facilitates the implementation of a common approach to epidemic intelligence and public health event management across all levels of the organization.

The EIOS initiative is a unique global partnership between organizations involved in epidemic intelligence that aims at building a network for minimizing the impact of emerging risks to human health through their timely detection, their assessment, and their rapid reporting at the member state, regional and global levels. The network is supported by the EIOS system, which allows users to collect and filter open source information to facilitate these activities. The EIOS Initiative will help strengthen member state capacity for early detection and evidence-based decision making, as required by IHR.

The EIOS Initiative Expansion Strategy provides a framework for the incremental growth of the EIOS Initiative through the inclusion of new stakeholders. It guides the processes for the identification, selection and addition of new participants. Key among these participants are the Member States.

This initiative is conducted is in complement of the efforts of the Regional Office to strengthen the early warning function of the surveillance system – more specifically its event-based surveillance component.

During the current COVID-19 outbreak, event-based surveillance (EBS) was key to detect occurrence of new cases in countries of the region as well as exported cases from the Region.

During the last months, through a previous consultancy, EIOS was deployed in Oman and in Egypt, two countries that have particularly been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Event-based surveillance including community-based surveillance was strengthened in Jordan and in Morocco.

Plans are now to ensure that the systems that have been newly established are well maintained and that new countries can benefit from the deployment of EIOS as well as from the Regional Office for implementing EBS.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date\: 01/05/2020

End date\: 30/06/2020

Work to be performed

Output 1\: Supportto Member States that adopted EIOS during Phase 1 of the expansion (Egypt and Oman).

Deliverable 1.1\: Support the development of national SOPs for EIOS.

Deliverable 1.2\: Provide assistance when needed, in particular for the detection of COVID-19 cases. Deli

verable 1.3\: Maintain user profiles as required in collaboration with the WHE/HIM/ISA/ECT.

Output 2\: Support to the ongoing evolution and enhancement of the EIOS system and initiative

Deliverable 2.1\: Document continued phased EIOS initiative expansion to regional Member States and develop corresponding work plans.

Deliverable 2.2\: Provide written feedback to the WHE/HIM/ISA/ECT on bugs, requirements, enhancements, etc to support the ongoing evolution and improvement of the EIOS system, including epidemiological data management and visualization.

Output 3\: Enhancement of Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) in EMR Member States

Deliverable 3.1\: Develop processes for implementing EBS in Member States requesting support.

Deliverable 3.2\: Engage with identified Member States to initiate support for implementing .EBS including EIOS.

5 Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of Dr Pierre Nabeth, Manager Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM), WHO Health Emergencies Program (WHE)

Headquarter Oversight\:

Team lead of EIOS Core Team (ECT)\: Dr Philip Abdelmalik; email\: abdelmalikp@who.int

requirements

1. - Educational Qualifications required \: First university degree in epidemiology, public health, international health or related field, complemented by a degree or diploma in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary science, midwifery, nursing, medical biology or a related discipline.

2. -Desirable\: Advanced degree in epidemiology In-service training in field epidemiology such as Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programmes (FELTP), the European Program for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service programme, or equivalent experience.

- Experience required\:

At least 5 years of experience in applied epidemiology or public health with a track record in engaging with stakeholders, building networks and facilitating cross-organisational collaboration and dialogue.

-Desirable\:

At least 2 years of experience with event-based surveillance systems and a good understanding of the main principles of public health intelligence are significant assets.

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge\:

• Demonstrated ability to interact in complex situations involving technical, cultural and political elements

• Sound analytical and organizational skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of surveillance issues and emerging diseases in an international context.

- Language requirements\:

Languages and level required\: Expert knowledge of English (Read–Write–Speak)

Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic (Read–Write–Speak)

Place of assignment

The work is expected to be carried out from the WHO Regional Office in Cairo, Egypt, and the consultant is expected to work closely with the ECT in Geneva. A subsistence allowance will be provided if applicable.

Medical clearance

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

Travel

The Consultant may be required to travel to meetings with stakeholders and collaborators\:

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.

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.
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Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
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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.
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