Consultant – Field Epidemiology Training Program

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will provide technical input to enhance the surveillance reporting within and among African Union member countries.

Background

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. Early detection and mitigation of infectious, chemical and radio nuclear hazards is at the core of the International Health Regulations (IHR). SRV department supports implementation of IHRs in country with capacity building for surveillance and early warning, supporting multiple approaches towards global Public Health intelligence. SRV is responsible for producing strategic guidances, preparing the world to detect and face future and emerging public health threats of all origin. Strong and well organized public health and particularly epidemiology workforce in country is one of the key element for countries to be able to face future pandemic and current epidemics.

The Field Epidemiology Strengthening Unit of the SRV participates in the development of epidemiology workforce in country and internationally via the support to the Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) worldwide and to the FETP Enterprise of TEPHINET. The objectives of the unit are to build an efficient and sustainable epidemiology workforce, leveraging institutionalization and advocacy for FETPs. This objective is directly aligned with the multiple recommendations received during the 73rd World Health Assembly during the COVID-19 pandemic to “built a strong front line public health workforce, including epidemiologists”. To do so, the unit will:

1. Advocate and support countries and regions to extend the number of field epidemiologists through FETPs or similar trainings
2. Support field epidemiologist fellows in accomplishing tasks, activities, continuous learning and developing adaptative approaches to respond to health emergencies of all causes in all settings.
3. Support FETP capacity building at country level.
4. Support bio surveillance capacity strengthening activities at country level.

Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Develop FETPs materials and tools to respond to health emergencies (due July 2022).
Activity 1.1: Review, adapt and deliver the course: “Epidemiology in Humanitarian Emergencies” for the Ukraine crisis and for Ghana. Work with US-CDC, WHO FCV department, Response to Emergencies department.
Activity 1.2: Develop One Health Field Epidemiology competencies and curriculum guidance.

Deliverable 2: Develop technical documents that will support WHO input to the Tephinet FETP Enterprise roadmap.
Activity 2.1: Map case-studies illustrating the integration of FETP fellows into priority public health programs (due September 2022).
Activity 2.2: Develop mentorship activities at WHO HQ.

Deliverable 3: Pilot, test and implement WHO tools and guidance for surveillance capacity strengthening at country level in Africa (expected due date linked to missions).

Deliverable 4: Investigate outbreak of any origin as per need of field epidemiology support in the field upon request (expected due date linked to emergency missions).

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Minimum first university degree in Public Health, Medicine, biology, veterinary sciences.
• Graduate from an advanced (i.e. 2-years) FE(L)TP(V) Programme.

Desirable:

Post graduate degree (Master or equivalent) in a public health field.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least two years of relevant experience in the field of communicable disease surveillance and control.
• Experience in data and database management and descriptive epidemiology.

Desirable:

• Professional experience with a recognized organization expert in surveillance and epidemiology.
• Field experience in designing, implementation and supervision of emergency public health program in developing countries.
• Field experience in outbreak response.
• Previous work experience with WHO.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Analytical skills and capacity to synthetize complex information.
• Good writing skills and sound organizational skills.
• Knowledge of database management using ACCESS, EXCEL; familiar with statistical analysis software e.g. STATA.
• Ability to work independently and produce timely deliverables.

Languages required:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off-site – Home based.

Travel

Occasional duty travels may be necessary.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level A - USD 3,955 - 6,980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

6 months.

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.
• 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