Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise in the area of One Health, specifically as it relates to research and capacity building activities for operationalizing One Health as a transdisciplinary ecosystem approach for vector-borne disease (VBD) control in the context of climate change and human population vulnerability in Africa.

To contribute to the implementation of the One Health workplan in TDR.

The consultant is expected to contribute to the One Health portfolio of projects, oversee a mapping survey to score/assess One Health initiatives in WHO regions and contribute to the TDR One Health workplan.

Background

Strategies for the prevention, preparedness and response to vector borne disease threats linked to climate change may be best achieved by operationalizing and implementing integrative intervention approaches focused on the human-animal-environment interface as that offered by the One Health approach.

The One Health approach is well positioned to contribute to the policy framework as stated on the One Health companion document for the NTD Roadmap. In the African region, One Health is aligned with the needs of the Health and Environment Strategic Alliance (HESA), borne out of the 2008 Libreville Declaration on Health and Environment in Africa and the 2019 Libreville Strategic Action Plan to Scale Up Health and Environment Interventions in Africa (2019-2019), contributing to Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.

Beyond disease-focused interventions, the One Health approach and integrative methods offer the potential to capitalize on synergies among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This represents an opportunity toward a more holistic integration of health, environment, and development. Several UN agencies have noted the need and opportunity that SDGs offer to One Health, from the standpoint of the synergistic possibilities among sectors. Likewise, the One Health for the control of VBDs in the context of climate change presents the opportunity to contribute to WHO’s General Programme of Work (2019-2023) to promote health (Universal Health Coverage), keep the world safe (Protection from Health Emergencies) and serve the vulnerable (Better Health and Well-Being).

As a response to a key challenge in the implementation of One Health, TDR has undertaken a multisectoral, transdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnection between the health of people, animals, plants and their shared environment. This operationalization of One Health into an adaptive management setup is an integrative approach which includes the active engagement of the most affected stakeholders in their individual contexts; assuring a strong foundation based on community participation, equity, social innovation, capacity building and the sharing of best practices. It is in this context that the Consultant’s technical expertise in operationalizing One Health is called for.

Deliverables

  • Facilitate and contribute to the One Health portfolio of projects, while closely working with TDR One Health core group of scientists and admin staff.
    • Activity 1 Facilitate the set up of an external scientific committee to review proposals received from a Call for Proposals.
    • Activity 2 Contribute to the coordination of the proposal review process to select projects for funding by TDR.
    • Activity 3 Advise Principal Investigators on the preparation of research protocols for review by WHO Ethics Committee and National Ethics Review Boards.
    • Activity 4 Build the documentation needed for the processing of TDR contracts (technical services agreements).
    • Activity 5 Monitor the project implementation and research dissemination through active engagement with researchers, collaborators/partners in the health and environment sectors, WHO One Health actors, WHO AFRO and other relevant stakeholders.
    • Activity 6 Together with other TDR One Health colleagues, participate in TDR in One Health meetings and related fora.
    • Activity 7 As part of TDR reporting process, prepare progress reports and other related updates.
  • Using the TDR One Health scorecard/metrics system (https://tdr.who.int/docs/librariesprovider10/one-health/tdr-initiative-one-health-report-29-nov-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=1eef7f49_5), oversee the conduct of a survey that will map existing One Health initiatives in representative countries in AFRO to score/assess the status of One Health initiatives.
    • Activity 1 Prepare a concept note and proposal (for internal TDR funding through SDF) where the objectives are aligned with and can contribute to the One Health Companion Document to the Neglected Tropical Diseases Road Map 2021-2030 (link to the One Health companion document - https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/one-health-companion-document-to-the-neglected-tropical-diseases-road-map-2021-2030).
    • Activity 2 Interface with WHO Regional One Health focal points to collaborate and disseminate survey information and to share results.
    • Activity 3 Based on survey mapping results, prepare a technical report (and a publication) which identifies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for One Health; for dissemination to stakeholders and which can be used to inform future TDR One Health initiatives, especially during the next biennium
    • Activity 4 Organize a multi-stakeholder consultation meeting in December 2022 to present results/findings and to agree on next steps and Call for Action.
  • Contribute to the TDR One Health workplan and to participate in WHO’s One Health activities (both in Headquarters and in the relevant regions).
    • Activity 1 Collaborate with TDR colleagues, scientific working groups and other related groups to plan and implement the TDR One Health workplan.
    • Activity 2 Interface with WHO One Health group at Headquarters (One Health Task Force) and AFRO to align TDR work with guidelines and policy frameworks for disease control and prevention and preparedness/readiness.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:
University degree in medical sciences, public health or biology.

Desirable:

  • Advanced degree in medical sciences or public health or biology or any field related to vector-borne diseases.
  • Training in epidemiology, vector control and environmental health.

Experience:

Essential:

  • A minimum of 5 years experience on managing research activities.
  • Demonstrated experience working in One Health in coordination with country disease control programmes.

Desirable:

  • Demonstrated experience at the international level.
  • Experience working in the UN system, preferably in WHO.
  • Experience working in/with different sectors related to One Health.

Skills/Knowledge:

  • Good knowledge on human pathogens transmitted by vectors and ecological systems.
  • Expertise and skills in collection and analysis of scientific data, including the design of a project, monitoring and evaluation and operational planning.
  • Relevant communication skills including in writing and oral presentations, managing interviews and working with different sectors.
  • Coordination, management and communication-for-research-uptake skills.

Languages required:

Essential:
Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:
Expert knowledge of French or any other WHO official language.

Location:

Home based – Off-site.

Travel:

The Consultant may be expected to travel during the assignment to meet with countries and attend the workshop(s).

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B: USD 7,000 – 9,980 per month depending on the consultant’s experience and educational background.

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

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

6 months (1 July – 31 December 2022).

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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