Consultant - Newborn and child health

Purpose of consultancy

To contribute to the implementation of the MCA-coordinated multi-center, multi-country research projects for:

1. the management of possible serious bacterial infection in young infants < 2 months of age.
2. the management of childhood pneumonia.

Background

i. Approximately 2.4 million neonatal deaths still occur globally. Neonatal infections are a major cause of death. Of nearly 7 million cases of PSBI / suspected clinical neonatal sepsis, nearly 10% die. To improve PSBI management in young infants, currently, MCA is coordinating two large multicentre, clinical trials to evaluate the antibiotic regimens, appropriate place of therapy and duration of hospitalisation. The research sites are in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India (two sites), Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania.
ii. Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in under-five children and contributes to around 800,000 under-five deaths.

1. To increase access to appropriate and timely treatment of pneumonia MCA supported two large community-based multicenter, multi-country research trials [Enhanced Management of Pneumonia in Community (EMPIC)], which showed positive results, which have been published. In the second phase, MCA is now supporting implementation research for evaluating enhanced community case management of pneumonia in a programme setting in four countries i.e., Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India and Malawi.
2. MCA is also coordinating observational studies to document the existing pneumonia case management practices and clinical outcomes at health facilities in children in light of the current WHO pneumonia guidelines in six countries i.e., India, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Uganda, and Zambia.

MCA, under Pneumonia Research Partnership to Assess WHO Recommendations (PREPARE) project, is undertaking an in-depth analysis of pooled data from several regions of the world. The findings of this in-depth analysis will help MCA to review the current algorithm for pneumonia diagnosis and treatment at the first-level health facility level.

Deliverables:

Output 1. Contribute to the implementation of the PSBI research study.

• Facilitate the online refresher training for the research staff.
• Provide technical input to the study sites by responding to project implementation queries.
• Monitor the progress of the study and finalize the site monitoring report.

Output 2. Contribute to the implementation research of enhanced community case management of pneumonia in community programme settings.

• Provide technical input to the study sites by responding to project implementation queries.
• Monitor the progress of the study and finalize the site monitoring report.
• Facilitate the refresher training as needed.

Output 3. Contribute to the observational research of pneumonia case management at health facilities.

• Provide technical input to the study sites by responding to project implementation queries.
• Monitor the progress of the study and finalize the site monitoring report.
• Provide support and facilitate the refresher training as needed.

Output 4. Contribute to the analysis and writing the results of the PREPARE project.

• Contribute to the development of draft manuscript (s).

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced degree in medicine or epidemiology, or public health from a recognized university.

Experience

Essential:

• Over 10 years’ relevant experience in pediatrics’ research or epidemiology, or public health.

Skills

Essential:

• Knowledge of Integrated Management of Childhood illness (IMCI) and Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM).
• Skills in research methodology.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage converging priorities and deliver high-quality products under tight deadlines.
• Ability to present clearly in oral and written presentations.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate 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 C - USD 500 – 625 per day.

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

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

6 months (79 days during this period). Starting date March 2023.

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