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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise as follows:

• Review the evidence supporting the development of WHO global guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI)2)).
• Update the WHO Global report on infection prevention and control.
• Carry out rapid searches in scientific literature for emerging issues related to infection prevention and control.

Background

The mission of the Integrated Health Services (IHS) Department is to develop guidance to support countries to improve the quality, safety, integration and responsiveness of health services’ delivery, with a particular focus on primary health care and in the context of Universal Health Coverage.

Within this, the IPC T&C Hub provides leadership and technical expertise on IPC in health care. This includes networking, advocacy, and campaigning to promote IPC policies and best practices and develops evidence-based guidelines, implementation strategies, training resources and monitoring tools. In collaboration across WHO colleagues, the hub coordinates of the WHO work on sepsis as well as providing technical support to other key WHO programmes such as neonatal and maternal services, AMR, emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the IPC T&C HUB co-led Pillar 6 (IPC) of the WHO Strategic preparedness, and Response Plan.

Between 2009 and 2019, several evidence-based guidelines were developed and issued on the prevention of HAIs and AMR in health care including for the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI), were based upon 31 systematic reviews and related meta-analyses and included 29 recommendations. Such guidelines require regular scoping to assess any new evidence emerging and potentially leading to an update. In addition, and following the COVID-19 pandemic, existing guidelines require re formatting to improve ease of implementation in some settings such as primary care.

Deliverables:

• Objective 1: To contribute to reviewing the evidence supporting the WHO Global guidelines for the prevention of SSI and to follow-up on the completion process of updating the WHO Global guidelines for the prevention of SSI.
  • Deliverable 1.1: Written technical guidelines update planning document based upon discussion with the Guidelines Development Group (GDG).
    Expected by: 7 August 2023
  • Deliverable 1.2: Reports and evidence updates of systematic reviews for 3-5 recommendations pointed out by the GDG.
    Expected by: 20 December 2023
  • Deliverable 1.3: Written linkage to the authors of the systematic reviews supporting and reviewing the process of updating the systematic reviews and minutes of meetings discussing any amendments to fit the WHO Global guidelines.
    Expected by: 20 December 2023
  • Deliverable 1.4: Written linkage and follow up to the SSI guidelines GDG as well as agendas and minutes of follow-up meetings with the GDG.
    Expected by: June 2024
  • Deliverable 1.5: Written technical update of the narrative chapters of the WHO Global guidelines and to draft new, added sections according to the GDG’s suggestions.
    Expected by: June 2024

• Objective 2: To contribute to the update of the WHO Global Report on Infection Prevention and Control.
  • Deliverable 2.1: Written results of systematic screening of data sources used for the Global report and identification of scientific literature updates.
    Expected by:  October 2023
  • Deliverable 2.2: Written technical feedback on conducting a global survey to support the evidence update of the Global report.
    Expected by: September 2023
  • Deliverable 2.3: Written technical feedback on the updated sections of the Global report.
    Expected by: March 2024

• Objective 3: To provide rapid searches for other emerging updates of the scientific literature needed for the work of the IPC T&C Hub.
  • Deliverable 3.1: Written results of scientific literature updates.
    Expected by: June 2024

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in Medicine.
• Specialist qualification in IPC or hygiene e.g., CIC (Certificate in Infection Control).

Experience

Essential:

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in developing and delivering IPC work, including national and international experience.
• Documented experience in developing international IPC guidelines and in conducting systematic reviews of scientific and grey literature.

Skills/knowledge

• In depth knowledge of methods for WHO guidelines development and cross-sectional IPC surveys at national and international level and of existing IPC guidelines, including the WHO guidelines on IPC Core Components and SSI prevention.
• Expertise in guidelines writing (preferably WHO guidelines) and implementation at national and facility level.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear and concise technical reports and to write scientific publications in English.

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 – part-time at 50%. Remuneration will be pro-rated accordingly.

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