Consultant-Information and Planning (Epidemiologist)_IMST/WHE/WPRO

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Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant is being recruited to provide technical assistance for epidemiology to the ongoing COVID-19 response activities.

Background

Since 2 January 2020, the three levels of WHO have been working together to respond to this outbreak of COVID-19. On 30 January, WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). On 11 March, WHO Director General characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.

As cases continue to be reported and surges are anticipated, additional preparedness and response efforts are required in the Region. To cope with the situation, the emergency team in the WHO Regional Office requires strengthening to provide technical assistance to Member States for preparedness and response efforts, including the areas of epidemiology. The COVID-19 response operations in the Region are expected to continue for several months.

The purpose of this emergency deployment is to support effective response operations related to the outbreak of pneumonia associated with COVID-19, with a focus on information and planning functions, as part of the Incident Management System Team (IMST) of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila.

Work to be Performed

Under the overall supervision of the WPRO IMST Incident Manager, the information and planning pillar lead and WHO Country Representative, the consultant will:

Output 1: Support epidemiological analysis and developing information products

Deliverable 1.1: Support the timely and high-quality situational analyses, production epidemic information, health risk assessments and implications; and disseminate for decision making

Deliverable 1.2: Provide technical support and assist in the development of surveys, hypothesis driven approach and monitoring/surveillance systems for detection, verification and response; ensuring efficiency of data collection, correlation, analysis, interpretation and timely reporting at health facility at the district levels.

Output 2: Support WHO country offices on preparedness and response to COVID-19

Deliverable 2.1: Provide technical support to WHO country offices on preparedness for and response to COVID-19 outbreak including surveillance, contract tracing and response activities as required.

Output 3: Support tasks of the information and planning pillar lead

Deliverable 3.1: Support the information and planning pillar lead regarding the planning, implementation and monitoring of epi/surveillance activities

Deliverable 3.2: Support the information and planning pillar lead in preparing meeting materials, and coordination with other relevant technical pillars and partners

Output 4: Support in developing regional technical guidance

Deliverable 4.1: Support to develop technical guidelines related to preparedness and response to pandemic/endemic COVID-19

Deliverable 4.2: Contribute to the drafting of all relevant planning documents including project proposals, appeals, reports, and dashboards.

Output 5: Perform any other incident‐specific related duties, as required by the respective Pillar Leads and Incident Manager.

Other Deliverables:

• Progress report (monthly); and

• Technical report at the end of consultancy.

Qualifications, Experience, Skills, and Languages

Qualifications required:

Essential

Advanced university degree in medicine, public health, epidemiology, health science or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

Experience required:

Essential

At least five years relevant experience in public health, communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance data management and research including experience in and/or public health emergency response at the national or international levels.

Desirable
Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries. Previous experience working in collaboration with multiple actors in public health surveillance.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills

• Ability to work in a team with limited supervision

• Ability to work under pressure

• Excellent communication skills

Language requirement:

Proficient in written and spoken English.

Competencies

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

• Communication in a credible and effective way

• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

• Fostering Integration and teamwork

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Place of assignment

The consultancy will initially work in WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) and/or other Country Offices as requested/needed for outbreak response activities and can work remotely depending on COVID-19 situation in Manila.

Medical clearance

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

Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel, as requested/needed for outbreak response activities. Depending on the situation, travel to countries in the Region may be arranged as necessary.

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.
• 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter 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 final candidates.
• 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.