Consultant - Entomologist

1. Purpose of consultancy:

The interruption of transmission of onchocerciasis and its verifications requires attainment of both epidemiological and entomological indicators recommended by the WHO strategic and technical advisory group clearly highlighted in the 2030 NTD road map. The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to Onchocerciasis endemic countries in the African region under the direction of the ESPEN Team Leader and in coordination with the ESPEN Oncho and LF medical officer. The incumber will be expected to undertake one of the following duties:

1. Develop budgeted proposals for Blackfly Comprehensive breeding site assessment surveys

2. Plan and facilitate capacity building trainings on Blackfly comprehensive breeding site assessment (CBSA) surveys , including morphological identification, collection and preservation of biological samples;

3. Analyse and interpretate onchocerciasis entomological indices

4. Lead the implementation of Blackfly CBSA surveys;

5.Plan and facilitate capacity building trainings on the entomological component of the onchocerciasis full STOP MDA surveys and Post treatment surveillance (PTS) surveys

6. Lead the implementation of the entomological component of oncho full STOP MDA surveys

2. Background

The Expanded Special Project for Elimination of NTDs (ESPEN)Team is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage – Communicable and Non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster of the WHO Regional Office for Africa. The work of the UCN cluster is guided by its strategic agenda: “disease burden reduction through using analytics to inform tailored interventions and guide disease control investments”. With the goal of contributing to attainment of SDGs target 3.3 through facilitating effective response to the elimination of five most prevalent NTDs amenable to preventive chemotherapy (PC-NTDs) in the region and in line with the WHO NTDs roadmap (2021–2030), the ESPEN team exists to contribute to development and implementation of science-driven PC-NTD technical products, tools and services including implementation of appropriate ESPEN collaborative initiatives among ESPEN partners and across WHO regions and headquarters, UCN teams and AFRO clusters, enabling countries strengthen own health intervention capacities.

3. Deliverables:

The following deliverables are expected from the consultancy:

1. Budgeted proposal for blackfly CBSA surveys are developed.
2. Capacity building trainings on blackfly CBSA surveys are planned and facilitated;
3. Entomological indices generated during entomological surveys are analyzed and interpreted
4. Blackfly comprehensive breeding site assessment surveys are implemented
5. Component of oncho full STOP MDA or PTS surveys are implemented
6. Technical capacity of countries are strengthened on Full STOP MDA and PTS surveys

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Éducation (Qualifications)

Band A (P1&2) :

• Bachelor degree in biological sciences (zoology, entomology, parasitology)

Band B (P3&4):

• Medical degree (MD) with Master’s degree in medical entomological or Master degree in medical entomology, parasitology or zoology

Band C (P5):

• PhD in biological Sciences ( Zoology, Medical parasitology and Medical entomology)

Experience

Band A:

• Up to 5 years of experience in the training, planning and implementation of entomological surveys

Band B:

• 5 to 10 years of experience in training, planning and implementation of entomological surveys

Band C:

• At least 11 years of experience in the training, planning, implementation of entomological surveys)

Languages and level required.

• Excellent knowledge of English and/or French with a good working knowledge of the other.
• Knowledge of Spanish will be an asset.

5. Location

Multiple duty stations.

6. Remuneration and budget

Class: level: P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 based on qualification and experience.

Currency: US dollars (USD)

7. Duration of work:

The consultant is expected to work for 3 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.
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• 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.