CONSULTANT - SUPPORT ENTRY POINTS AND TRAVEL ADVISORY PILLAR FOR COVID-19

Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the points of entry and travel advisory pillar of the COVID-19 Incident Management Support Team (IMST) in the development of technical and advocacy products (such as Power Point presentations, talking points, briefings, or case studies) aimed at performing the following activities, in line with the 2021 COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP):

1. Communicating and disseminating WHO recommendations on health measures in relation to international travel in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic across partners in the travel, transport, tourism, migration and economic development sectors; and
2. Promoting information sharing on practices, challenges and lessons learnt from the use of a risk-based approach to international travel in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

The mission of the WHO’s Health Emergencies (WHE) Programme is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The objectives of the Country Readiness Strengthening (CRS) Department include the development and strengthening of core national capacities necessary to mitigate and respond to emergency risks and vulnerabilities.
Within the CRS Department, the Border Risk Dissemination (BRD) Unit works to build readiness and resilience to public health emergencies by: developing, disseminating and implementing risk-based guidance and tools for the implementation of risk mitigation measures and the response to public health emergencies at points of entry and in relation to international travel and transport; training of staff at points of entry on routine and response public health capacities; and coordinating with UN agencies, international organizations and non-governmental actors in the travel, transport, tourism, migration and economic development sectors for the dissemination of evidence- and risk-based guidance for the prevention and mitigation of cross-border health threats. The BRD Unit acts as the points of entry and travel advisory pillar in the structure of the IMST for the COVID-19 response.

Deliverables

Under the overall guidance of the responsible Technical Officer, the selected consultant will:

1. Support WHO’s engagement with partners across the travel, transport, tourism, migration and economic development sectors, by preparing PowerPoint presentations, and drafting talking points, policy and technical briefings, and notes for the record.
2. Contribute to the process of documenting and sharing information on practices, challenges and lessons learnt from the use of a risk-based approach to international travel in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, by supporting the drafting and publication of case studies, PowerPoint presentations and other similar information and advocacy products..

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

University degree from a recognized university or college in public health, emergency management, social sciences or political sciences.

Experience

A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in developing information or communication products and coordinating with partners in the fields of public health or emergency management.

Skills/Knowledge

Excellent writing, communications and information management skills.
Ability to understand, synthesize and explain complex matters.
Sound knowledge of public health and health security; of WHO’s mandate and goals; and of the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005).
Ability to work under pressure and deliver results with tight deadlines.

Languages and level required

Essential
Excellent knowledge of English.

Location

Off site: The selected consultant is expected to be based in her/his country of residence.

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.)

Occasional travels may be required to undertake the work. Travel and accommodation during official duty travels will be paid by WHO as per the prevailing rule and travel policy of WHO applicable for consultants.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Remuneration: Pay band level A – 5,000 USD/month

Work schedule: full time.

Duration of contract: 6 months.

Planned timeline of consultancy (subject to confirmation):
Start date: 01/06/2021
End date: 01/12/2021

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