Consultant - Pathogen Genomic Surveillance

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise to the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) to reach key milestones in its first year of implementation.

Background

The Collaborative Intelligence Department (COL) of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is responsible for establishing and coordinating internal and external networks and partnerships that facilitate the work of the Pandemic Hub and the broader WHE Programme around Collaborative Surveillance. These include programs such as the Integrated Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN). The IPSN is a new global network of pathogen genomic actors, hosted by the WHO Pandemic Hub, to accelerate progress on the deployment of pathogen genomics and improve public health decision-making. The IPSN envisions a world where every country has sustained capacity for genomic sequencing and analytics as part of its public health surveillance system. It sets out to create a mutually supportive network of genomic surveillance actors with global coverage, that supports the development of faster and better national policy responses and medical countermeasures.

The IPSN will strengthen national and international surveillance systems by delivering five types of activities that are designed to build a base of knowledge that can drive forward country systems. First, the COP will help solve common challenges related to harmonization and innovation of data standards, tools and sharing in pathogen genomics. The initial COP was stood up for genomics data, and other COP priorities are being considered including pathogen surveillance and the environment. Second, the CSUA will align and accelerate efforts to build and scale countries’ capacity for genomic surveillance, particularly by accelerating South-South exchange. Third, grant funding will enable equity and power IPSN projects. Fourth, high-level advocacy and communication will help keep pathogen genomic surveillance on the agenda. Fifth, a global partners forum for genomic surveillance will coordinate the different sets of members of the IPSN.

IPSN has a number of key high priority milestones for its first implementation year. These priorities include: 1) coordination with other WHO technical groups to ensure the learning and membership of other WHO networks are integrated into the design and implementation of the IPSN, 2) moving forward the workplan implementation for the Community of Practice around data sharing, 3) establishing additional Communities of Practice including around environmental surveillance, 4) developing a genomics surveillance investment case, 5) developing a pathogen surveillance maturity model, and 6) implementing a small grants fund to support countries and regions to develop knowledge products and test innovative strategies around genomics surveillance.

Deliverables:

• Output 1: Contribute to the finalization of the IPSN pathogen genomics surveillance investment case.
• Output 2: Contribute to the finalization of the IPSN pathogen genomics surveillance maturity model.
• Output 3: Contribute to the implementation of the small grants fund to support pathogen genomics surveillance knowledge products and in-country innovative projects in lower resource countries and regions.
• Output 4: Facilitate learning and building networks between other WHO technical advisory groups on genomic sequencing in WHO and IPSN.
• Output 5: Contribute to finalizing and implementing the workplan for the IPSN Community of Practice on Data Sharing.
• Output 6: Contribute to establishing additional IPSN Communities of Practice including potentially on Environmental Surveillance.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in public health, epidemiology, pathogen surveillance, bioinformatics, or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• Over 10 years of relevant experience at national and international levels, including demonstrated roles in implementation of public health surveillance, pathogen sequencing, bioinformatics, partnership building, publication of scientific documentation, and public communications.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated experience working in partnership to develop initiatives, projects or workplans with external stakeholders.

Skills/knowledge

• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in pathogen genomics surveillance including strong networks with WHO and partners organizations and technical bodies working in this area.
• In depth understanding of and networks across the pathogen genomic surveillance landscape, particularly in the areas of data sharing, analysis and bioinformatics, as well as in product and platform development for the above.
• Demonstrated excellent English writing skills and ability to produce engaging and scientifically accurate communication materials.
• Ability to synthesize information in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environment.
• Excellent organizational skills combined with ability to multi-task and produce accurate results under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, tact and discretion, sound judgment and initiative.
• Ability to work under pressure and to clearly articulate and present concepts and procedures to a broad range of audiences.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of another official WHO language.

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:

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.
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• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
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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.
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• 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