Consultant - Onchocerciasis and Lymphatic filariasis

1. Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to Onchocerciasis (ONCHO) and/or Lymphatic filariasis (LF) 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 incumbent will be expected to undertake some or all of the following duties

1. Develop budgeted proposals for Onchocerciasis elimination mapping (OEM) surveys

2. Plan and facilitate capacity building trainings on OEM surveys

3. Lead the implementation of OEM surveys where needed in countries

4. Plan and facilitate capacity building trainings on routine M&E, Pre-STOP and Full STOP MDA surveys

5. Lead the implementation of oncho routine M&E, Pre-STOP and full STOP MDA surveys where needed

6. Plan and facilitate capacity building trainings on LF Pre-TAS and TAS

7. Lead the implementation of LF Pre-TAS and TAS

8. Plan and facilitate capacity building trainings on LF Morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP)

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 consultant:

1. Budgeted proposals for OEM Surveys are developed;
2. Capacity building trainings on OEM surveys are planned and facilitated;
3. Onchocerciasis Elimination mapping surveys are implemented;
4. Technical capacity of countries are strengthened on Oncho routine M&E, Pre-STOP and STOP MDA surveys;
5. Onchocerciasis routine M&E, Pre-STOP and Full STOP MDA surveys are implemented
6. Technical capacity of countries are strengthened on LF Pre-TAS and TAS
7. LF Pre-TAS and TAS are implemented
8. Technical capacity of countries are strengthened on LF MMDP

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Éducation (Qualifications)

Band A (P1&2) :

• Bachelor degree in nursing, in medical sciences, or biological sciences (zoology, entomology, parasitology), or Laboratory Technician diploma or equivalent

Band B (P3&4):

• Master’s degree in Public Health or Epidemiology or control of diseases, Bachelor degree in nursing, biological sciences ( Zoology, Parasitology and entomology)

Band C (P5):

• Medical degree (MD) with Master degree in Public Health (MPH), epidemiology, parasitology or entomology or PhD in Public Health, Biological Sciences ( Zoology, Medical parasitology and Medical entomology)

Experience

Experience

Band A:

• Up to 5 years of experience in the training, planning and implementation of one of the following onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis activities: Mapping, mass drug administration, Treatment coverage surveys, LF transmission assessment surveys (Pre-TAS or TAS) and Onchocerciasis Epidemiological surveys, MMDP activities

Band B:

• 5 to 10 years of experience in training, planning and implementation one of the following onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis activities: onchocerciasis or LF mapping surveys, mass drug administration campaigns, post treatment coverage surveys, LF transmission assessment surveys, Oncho Pre-STOP and full STOP MDA surveys, planning and implementation of Morbidity management and disability prevention

Band C:

• At least 11 years of experience in the training, planning, implementation of one of the following onchocerciasis and Lymphatic filariasis activities: Mapping, mass drug administration, Treatment coverage surveys, LF transmission assessment surveys ( Pre-TAS or TAS) and Onchocerciasis Epidemiological surveys, LF morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP)

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.
• 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 in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.