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1. Background

Lao People’s Democratic Republic achieved its polio-free status in 2000, but after circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreak in 2015-2016 some gaps detected in surveillance system and sensitivity of polio surveillance has declined over the last five years. Surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) includes rapid reporting and investigation of all cases of AFP in children < 15 years of age, with collection of two stool specimens within 14 days of paralysis onset and follow up 60 days after onset for due cases for evidence of residual paralysis.  Sensitive surveillance for AFP with quality case investigation and adequate stool specimen collection are essential for the detection of wild polio virus (WPV) or VDPV circulation thereby leading up to the goal of polio eradication. AFP surveillance is also critical for documenting the absence of poliovirus circulation after the detection of WPV or cVDPV in Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

2. Purpose of consultancy

As part of enhancing the quality and sensitivity of AFP surveillance, the WHO Lao People’s Democratic Republic Country Office will contract Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) Surveillance consultant. This position will be contracted for at least 1 year, with the potential for renewal. This VPDs consultant will work under the supervision of the WHO Country Office in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, with general guidance of WHO Regional Office, in coordination with the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), national immunization programme (NIP). The primary objective of this consultancy is to improve the quality and sensitivity of polio surveillance (acute flaccid paralysis and environmental) and other VPDs surveillance at the national and sub-national levels. Additional objectives include support implementation of routine immunization/routine immunization activities (including Adverse Events Following Immunization [AEFI]), supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) and outbreak response activities if required.

3. Planned timelines

1 Jul 2023 to 31 May 2024

4. Deliverables

Under the overall supervision of the WCO/Lao PDR EPI team lead and with guidance of WHO Regional Office in collaboration with the WPRO/VDI team coordinator, the incumbent will be responsible for completing the following tasks and activities:

1. Support timely and accurate planning, implementation and monitoring of AFP, ES and other VPDs surveillance (including AEFI), training of Province/District surveillance officers and Health facility/community surveillance focal points.
2. Liaise with Ministry of Health, National Immunization Program (NIP), National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), provincial health offices, district health offices and relevant partners for all logistic arrangements and for field activities.
3. Participate in planning, implementation and monitoring of routine immunization, SIAs and measles elimination activities.
4. Assist in accelerating activities to improve the quality of AFP, ES and other VPDs surveillance; including training/orientation of national and sub-national staffs, strengthening facility/community-based and active surveillance, as well as case investigation and follow-up of due cases.
5. Assist MOH, NCLE/NIP, Provinces, and districts in conducting outbreak investigations for Polio/measles or other VPDs, as required.
6. Assist the provinces and districts in identifying high-risk areas and silent district(s)/health centres for polio, measles and other VPDs to improve the immunization and VPDs surveillance activities in the identified areas.
7. Assist MOH, NIP/NCLE, provinces, districts and health facilities in recording, reporting and analysing surveillance, AEFI, immunization (including AEFI) and SIAs data to improve the data quality management and use of data for decision-making process.
8. Provide regular updates on AFP, ES, VPDs surveillance, RI (including AEFI), case response and SIAs activities to VDI Team Lead with draft presentations and reports as requested.
1.  Conduct regular supportive field visits on AFP, ES and other VPDs surveillance and share feedback to VDI team lead, NIP/NCLE, Provinces, Districts and Health facilities.
10. Facilitate/attend regular coordination meetings with surveillance (VPDs), Immunization and SIAs implementing partners.
11. Assist AFP, ES and other VPDs surveillance guideline review, finalization, printing and dissemination. As well as assist the preparation and distribution of training guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), job aids and other materials of VPDs surveillance, RI and SIAs.
12.  Support in developing and conducting VPDs surveillance research activities (operational and/or implementation research), dissemination of findings and using the study results for decision making in VPDs surveillance.
13.  Assist the VDI team lead in any other related tasks assigned.

5. Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages  

Educational Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in medicine, public health or related sciences and postgraduate degree in public health or related discipline.

Experience

At least 7 years of experience working in the field of disease prevention and control including immunization, AFP, ES and other VPDs surveillance and outbreak response programs. Working
experience in low and middle-income countries, in World Health Organization or nongovernmental and/or international organizations is highly desirable.

Skills/Knowledge

Thorough knowledge of and experience in managing vaccine-preventable disease (VPDs) surveillance, including AFP, ES and measles, and epidemiological data analyses. Conducting risk assessments for Polio, measles and other VPDs. Conducting outbreak investigations for Polio/measles or other VPDs. Developing guidelines, training manuals, standard operating procedures for surveillance of AFP, ES, Measles and other VPDs. Implementing training on surveillance, immunization, SIAs and/or outbreak detection and response programs. Have ability to work harmoniously in a team, adapt to a diverse education and cultural background and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Languages and level required

Proficient in written and spoken English.

Competencies

1. Producing results.
2. Fostering integration and teamwork.
3. Communicating in a credible and effective way
4. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference

6. Place of assignment

The consultant will be travelling to the duty station in Lao PDR

7.  Medical Clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8.  Travel

The consultant will visit subnational levels.

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.
• 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.

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