Consultant – Epidemiologist (yellow fever)

Purpose of consultancy

To define the risk level for countries endemic for yellow fever using standardized methodologies.

Background

To respond to the increased risk of large urban yellow fever outbreaks with international spread that could threaten global health security, the comprehensive, multicomponent Global Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy was developed by EYE partners. To ensure and guide successful implementation, 3 strategic objectives were defined together with milestones to be attained throughout a 10-year timeline (2017-2026). The EYE Strategy endorses a continuum of preventive activities, ranging from preventive vaccination activities with implementation tiered according to risk, to rapid detection and response to outbreaks.

The global health community is facing an increased risk of urban yellow fever outbreaks as a re-emerging threat to global health security. The epidemiology of yellow fever epidemics has recently shifted, with resurgence of the disease in parts of the world not deemed to be at highest risk, such as the 2016 outbreaks in Angola and DRC, the 2018 and 2020 yellow fever outbreaks in Ethiopia, the 2002 outbreaks in multiple countries in Africa and the 2017-19 outbreaks in Brazil’s coastal areas.

Some of the evolving epidemiology is related to issues with sub-optimal routine immunization coverages in high-risk countries, which have completed nationwide preventive campaigns, resulting in growing accumulation of susceptible populations. This was the cause of the resurgence of yellow fever in late 2020 in some West African countries, such as Guinea and Senegal. In addition to causing morbidity and mortality locally, the resurgence of yellow fever in countries in Africa and the Americas increases the risk of spread regionally and globally.

Deliverables

Task 1: To conduct sub-national yellow fever risk assessments and develop risk profiles validated with country stakeholders in at least 3-4 countries in Africa.
Output 1: Sub-national yellow fever risk assessment and risk profiles validated with country stakeholders in at least 3-4 countries in Africa (expected by the end of contract).

Task 2: To conduct analysis work in collaboration with the Risk Analysis Working Group (RAWG).
Output 2: Two updated risk ranking of countries using standardized methodology (expected by early 2023 and mid 2023).

Task 3: To provide technical appraisal of a model developed to create vaccine coverage heat maps for countries in Africa to improve identification of critical immunity gaps.
Output 3: Written guidance on use of the model, suggestions for improvement on use of the model to identify immunity gaps (final draft expected by the end of contract).

Task 4: To plan and convene an in-country workshop, assuring MoH engagement and partner participation in relation to a subnational risk analysis for YF in a high-risk country in Africa.
Output 4: Technical guidance development for MoH on YF risk analysis (final draft expected by the end of contract).

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university level degree (in epidemiology, public health, or similar field).

Experience

Essential:

• At least 7 years of relevant experience combined at the national and international levels, in the areas of epidemiology, public health risk analysis, public health needs assessments, or health emergencies.
• Field experience in Africa, Latin America, or the Caribbean.
• Prior experience in areas related to health systems or health data.

Desirable:

• Experience with WHO, UN agencies, US CDC or a health cluster member organization.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Proven ability in managing and analyzing public health data sets.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work together as a team with a variety of stakeholders and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability in risk analysis.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft office suite of applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) and remote working technologies.
• Demonstrated knowledge in developing and implementing public health policies and strategies in the context of emergencies.
• Expertise in vector surveillance, yellow fever programmes or outbreak responses.
• Sound knowledge of viral hemorrhagic fevers and/or arboviral diseases.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.
• Expert knowledge of French.

Location

Off site: Home-based

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

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 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