Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical guidance to member states and institutions in Go.Data implementation.

Background

Go.Data (https://www.who.int/tools/godata) is a platform for outbreak response and contact tracing developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with partners in the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). Field-based users such as field epidemiologists, contact tracing teams and laboratory staff can register cases, contacts and their related data, including laboratory samples and hospitalizations. Go.Data dynamically generates outputs and analyses – such as contact follow-up lists and chains of transmission – to help responders target local response efforts in real time.

The onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020 rapidly shifted the focus of the project towards supporting countries in Go.Data implementation for the pandemic response, where WHO and GOARN partners have supported roll-out in 65 countries or territories and over 115 institutions, in which implementation is conducted at national, subnational or institutional levels.

With the start of 2022, Go.Data implementation strategy shifted from reactive to proactive approach and prepositioning of Go.Data in countries with additional support provided on request during outbreak response times. This approach will promote Go.Data use for other diseases, primarily those where there is human-to-human transmission, and which were used to inform Go.Data design and functionalities, e.g. viral hemorrhagic fevers etc.

Deliverables

  • Prepare Go.Data global implementation plans for institutions / countries. Plans should cover initial setup phase, and operation.
  • Develop epidemiological technical documents to enhance surveillance data and health information management. These documents should have country specific focus and context and where applicable should be based on Go.Data use.
  • Provide guidance for epidemiological data collection, analysis and information management for acute events management as well as other emerging infectious diseases.
  • Provide on-site and remote training for Go.Data. This training will include usage of the Go.Data mobile and Web application.
  • Provide technical advisory and user support for the pilot operation and implementation of Go.Data at the national and sub-regional level.  
  • Recommend ways to enhance data flows to further strengthen data and health information management, including development of SOPs).
  • Develop training curriculums for Go.Data use in general and contact tracing specifically.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:
An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in epidemiology, statistics, database management or public health from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable:
First university degree in health-related field. Specialized training in communicable diseases.

Experience:

Essential:

  • At least seven years’ related experience, at the national and international levels, in quantitative epidemiology and the implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response in humanitarian settings.
  • Previous experience in implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR).

Desirable:
Prior humanitarian working experience at field level with WHO/UN, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organization or with an international non-governmental organization with expertise in disaster and outbreak response.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
  • Working knowledge of online data collection applications, statistical analysis packages (Stata, SPSS, etc).

Desirable:
Working knowledge of GIS mapping software (or similar).

Languages required:

Essential:
Excellent knowledge of English or French.

Desirable:
Working knowledge of another WHO official language.

Location:

Off-site – Home-based.

Travel:

Travel may be required.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B: USD 7,000 - 9,980 per month.

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

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 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
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