Consultant - Vector Control Guidance & Assessments

Purpose of consultancy

To contribute to in the implementation of the regional iniative against the spread of Anopheles stephensi, and to contribute to the development of vector control manuals and associated communication products.

Background

The strategic objective of the Global Malaria Programme (GMP) is to support Member States to adopt WHO's malaria-related technical recommendations, and to advance implementation of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 (GTS) and the Global Vector Control Response 2017-2030 (GVCR). The major functions of the department are: 1) To play a leadership role in malaria, effectively supporting member states and rallying partners to reach Universal Health Coverage and achieve GTS goals and targets; 2) To shape the research agenda and promote the generation of evidence to support global guidance for new tools and strategies to achieve impact; 3) To develop ethical and evidence based global guidance on malaria with effective dissemination to support adoption and implementation by national malaria programmes; and 4) To monitor and respond to global malaria trends and threats. The mission of GMP’s Vector Control & Insecticide Resistance (VCR) unit is to support optimal use of resources for malaria vector control by WHO Member States through key activities, including to: a) Support generation and reporting of data related to malaria vectors and interventions; b) Develop or revise evidence-based WHO recommendations and programmatic guidance on vector surveillance and control, including for new tools; and c) Support timely dissemination of vector surveillance and control guidance and contribute to its implementation through technical support and capacity building activities based on identified priorities. A consultant with extensive experience in entomology and vector control is sought to support the VCR unit in three key areas: i) the development of implementation guidance on indoor residual spraying (IRS), ii) strengthening the knowledge-base on GVCR implementation with a focus on integrated surveillance and control of anopheline and Aedes vectors, and iii) strengthening the knowledge-base on past and current surveillance and control of An. stephensi in Asia. The consultant is expected to be fully familiar with WHO’s approach to working with its Member States and the associated processes.

Deliverables:

Output 1: Facilitate components of the regional convening on An. stephensi in Ethiopia.

• Deliverable 1.1: Draft report from the convening reviewed and edited to ensure consistency of language with other WHO meeting reports/documents.
• Deliverable 1.2: Final draft meeting report from consultation ready for editing and layout.

Output 2: Finalize an update of the WHO Operational Manual on IRS including expansion into the control of mosquitoes other than anophelines, including contributing to the consultation, production and translation processes.

• Deliverable 2.1: Final draft manual in English ready for editing and layout.
• Deliverable 2.2: Final manual in English ready for online publication (i.e. after overseeing and addressing issues identified during editing and layout).
• Deliverable 2.3 French and Spanish translations initiated.

Output 3: Contribute to the development of an educational video on IRS based on the revised manual.

• Deliverable 3.1: Draft educational video in English ready for online publication.
• Deliverable 3.2: Final educational video in English ready for online publication.

Output 4: Conduct a “deep dive” on the bionomics and control of Anopheles stephensi in Asia, with the aim of informing surveillance and control efforts for this invasive vector in Africa.

• Deliverable 4.1: PowerPoint presentation of the findings.
• Deliverable 4.2: Final report.

Output 5: Country case-study on integrated vector control and surveillance to demonstrate the principles of the GVCR.

• Deliverable 5.1: PowerPoint presentation of the findings.
• Deliverable 5.2: Final report.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in medical entomology/vector control.

Desirable:

• PhD university degree with specialisation in medical entomology/vector control.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in entomological research or evaluation of vector surveillance or vector control interventions.
• Communication experience in the form of publications of scientific papers, case studies, strategies, manuals and reports related to vector control, as demonstrated by being a lead contributor on at least one major publication on a related topic in the last two years.
• Proven experience in managing complex processes as demonstrated by the employment record and achievements made within it.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated experience of implementing integrated vector control, particularly regarding Anopheles and Aedes vectors.
• Demonstrated experience managing and analyzing data sets related to vector surveillance or the monitoring and evaluation of vector control interventions.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting WHO-led activities at country, regional or headquarter level, including for national and/or cross-border capacity building activities.
• Familiarity with the WHO guidelines development process and the process for development of companion documents (e.g. practical manuals).
• Experience of having worked in one or more malaria-endemic countries.
• Proven experience in literature review or case study development.

Skills

Essential:

• Excellent writing skills and good presentation skills.
• Advanced computer literacy essential, at a minimum for Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French and/or Arabic.

Location

Off-site: Home based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level C-USD 10,000 – 12,500 per month.

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

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

9 months - part time (50%). Remuneration will be pro-rated accordingly.

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