Roster of consultants - Data processing, modelling, and presentation to advance the analytics work in DDI

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will perform the following:

• develop a core set of data products that represent priority initiatives;
• contribute to the development and execution of global health estimation models that produce comprehensive and comparable estimates that are persuasive and focused on the high-impact priority initiatives that can be presented to stakeholders and collaborators;
• facilitate setting up the monitoring, analysis and tracking systems that will help evaluate progress and deliverables of the priority initiatives;
• prepare presentations and seek opportunities for effectively communicating priority initiatives and their scale up in concert with all 3 levels of the Organization.

Background

WHO Division of Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact is the central node of the Organization to make a measurable impact on public health. In collaboration with Member States and partners, it provides reliable, timely and comparable evidence to catalyse change whereby data and health information are used systematically to set measurable goals, monitor progress and drive continuous policy and programme improvements. We are responsible to set data standards, improve measurements to track population health trends. Our work is focused on strengthening technical, policy and operational capacity of countries in surveillance, epidemiology, and modelling and forecasting to inform strategic policy dialogues to drive progress toward the health-related SDGs and deliver on the triple billion targets. We provide annual reporting of key data products including World Health Statistics, Health Inequalities, Global Health Estimates, Universal Health Coverage, International Classification of Diseases and Terminologies, Global Health Observatory, Triple Billion dashboard, Delivery Stocktakes. We are working with partners to demonstrate innovation in data exchange, insights, communication and visualization platforms and document and disseminate best practices. For more information about our work, visit: http://www.who.int/data

DDI serves the following functions:

• Lead organization-wide efforts towards a coherent and principled vision and practice of data collection, analysis, dissemination, and use.
• Accelerate delivery of the ‘Triple Billion targets’ by closely tracking and monitoring data, identifying barriers, and suggesting improvements.
• Set standards for data collection in health and health policy, collate data on trends, and communicate that information.
• Provide reliable, actionable data to drive continuous and equitable health improvement leading to policy change.
• Support Member States and bring change so data and health information are effective in setting measurable goals, tracking progress and impacting public health policies and programmes, priority contextual issues including Universal Health Coverage and the Global Action Plan for SDG3.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Effective data analytics capability to advance WHO’s agenda in helping countries achieve Health-related SDGs.
  • 1.1. Identify the source of data used in models and results, understand the context of the data, and ensure the relevancy to analysis.
  • 1.2. Create and document efficient, effective, and replicable methods for extracting data, developing code, organizing data sources, managing data quality, and explaining complex analytic processes.
• Deliverable 2: Data management and analytics.
  • 2.1. Problem-solve computational and analytic challenges by investigating the data, understanding the root questions, and coming up with alternative measurement strategies.
  • 2.2. Implement code solutions to answer analytic questions, perform diagnostics on results, and test and assess new methods.
  • 2.3. Update and adapt databases containing health data from multiple sources such as surveys, vital registration systems, administrative records, and published studies relevant to the team’s estimation portfolio.
  • 2.4. Update and carry out complex computational processes and statistical modeling that are central to generating estimates of key indicators.
  • 2.5. Execute queries on databases and resolve intricate questions in order to respond to the needs of senior staff members and external requests from collaborators, media, policymakers, donors, and other stakeholders.
  • 2.6. Combine data, analytic engines, and data visualizations in one seamless computational process.
  • 2.7. Use protocols to identify problems with datasets and routine computational processes, rectify issues, and systematize data for future analyses.
  • 2.8. Transform and format datasets for use in ongoing analyses. Catalog and incorporate these datasets into DDI’s flagship database: World Health Data Hub as well as perform quality checks.
• Deliverable 3: Provide technical input to staff members in DDI on technical reports.
  • 3.1. Create tables, figures, and charts for presentations and technical reports.
  • 3.2. Provide referencing and guidance on publications and presentations.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• A first university degree in a related field of statistics, demography, epidemiology, data sciences and economics.

Desirable:

• An advanced degree in any of the above fields.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant working experience with complex global health.
• Demonstrated experience in developing code (in R and Python).

Skills/Knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability in using databases with large-scale, complex datasets.
• Adept diplomacy and exemplary interpersonal skills required. Must be agile at forming respectful and rewarding relationships with people with different levels of experience and expertise from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and professional settings.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to successfully manage multiple tasks and priorities to meet established and changing deadlines.
• Deep interest in global health, population health, and/or ways in which quantitative research and data science can be used to create valuable global public goods.
• Demonstrated self-motivation, ability to absorb detailed information, flexibility, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, energetic, highly creative, and collaborative environment.
• Ability to learn new information quickly and to apply analytic skills to better understand complex information in a systematic way.
• Strong quantitative aptitude.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off-site-Home based.

Travel

The consultant is not 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

For roster VNs:

The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.