Consultant - Epidemiologist

Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of the consultancy is to support The global Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy by reviewing and updating epidemiological profiles for the high and medium risk countries for yellow fever in Africa and developing epidemiological profiles for high-risk countries and areas in the Americas. The Consultant will contribute to improved epidemiological intelligence and background for priority countries as outlined in the EYE Strategy.

Background

WHO and partners developed a long-term Global Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy during the second half of 2016 to respond to the increasing risk of large urban yellow fever outbreaks. To ensure and guide successful implementation, 3 strategic objectives were defined together with milestones to be attained throughout a 10-year timeline (2017-2026). Aligned to the strategic objectives, the EYE Secretariat and the yellow fever technical team support countries and regions to rapidly identify and respond to yellow fever outbreaks. To enhance capacity for rapid analysis and to support response, it is important to maintain updated and comprehensive epidemic intelligence.

Deliverables:

Under the supervision of the responsible technical officer, the consultant will:

Output 1: Develop template and content sources for new yellow fever country profiles

1. Review the 2017 yellow fever country profiles and familiarize with core data elements and existing structure.

2. Review and propose additional data sources that include:

• Population immunity data (e.g., routine immunization, preventive or reactive campaigns, coverage surveys and administrative coverage)
• Evidence of yellow fever virus circulation (e.g., past outbreaks or cases, non-human primate circulation, serology surveys etc)
• Data on pertinent population movement and land use patterns (e.g., urban centres and growth, prevalence and location of extractive industries and high-risk workers, population displacement, transit patterns and transportation hubs)
• Detail of climatic and ecological factors (e.g., landcover, seasonal rains etc)
• Data on competent vectors (e.g., Aedes species)
• Data on other arboviral diseases (e.g., outbreaks and circulation pattern for Dengue, West Nile Virus, Chikungunya and other arboviral diseases)
• Relevant laboratory information (national laboratories, regional reference laboratories…)
• Gavi eligibility and relevant required data

3. Identify data needs updates and sources for information.

4. Develop updated templates for country profiles and share them for feedback by the EYE Secretariat, yellow fever technical team and any stakeholders.

5. Consolidate inputs and finalize new template in preparation for update of country profiles (#3)

Output 2: Review and update data sources and eventually update country profiles

1. Review existing data sources and augment from available WHO data partners and external data sources for epidemiologic updates

2. Develop, compile and share comprehensive reference and data resource links used in the update of country profiles.

3. Develop updated country profiles in renewed template for all yellow fever high and medium risk countries in Africa

4. Create country profiles in renewed template for all yellow fever high risk countries in the Americas

5. Share the updated country profiles for review and feedback by the EYE secretariat and yellow fever technical team and other key stakeholders

6. Finalize profiles based on feedback received from stakeholders

7. Collaborate with EYE Data Visualization Specialist to align and implement data management standards for country profile information and data visualisation support.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:           

First-level University degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or related field.

Desirable:

Advanced-level University degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or related field.

Experience:

Essential:

At least two years of working experience related to vaccine preventable disease or public health data analysis.

Desirable:

• Experience in design and development of reference materials (toolkit / guides etc.)
• Experience in the field or low-income country context for public health and/or health service delivery
• Prior working experience at recognized humanitarian organizations or with an international nongovernmental organization.

Skills and knowledge:

Essential:

• Strong analytical skills for large complex data sets
• Good communication and data presentation skills.
• Expertise in data analysis, statistical packages and design of graphical display.
• Ability to analyze health information in an international setting, e.g. health system performance assessment
• Demonstrated knowledge of academic or research background including drafting reports or publications.

Desirable:

• Sound knowledge of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers and/or arboviral diseases.

Language requirements:

Essential

Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of French

Desirable

Intermediate knowledge of Spanish

Location

Off site: Global – similar time zone preferable

Travel

No Travel specified at this time.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Remuneration: Young Professionals level – USD – 5,083 per month

Additional Information section:

• 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• 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.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html