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Qualifications

1.     Purpose of consultancy:

WHO is supporting Member States to implement case-based sentinel surveillance to document the burden of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) targeted by new vaccines.  The data collected from the sentinel surveillance has guided the introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine, rotavirus vaccines and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCV) in routine immunization. The same sentinel surveillance platform is being used to conduct vaccine effectiveness studies and to measure the impact of the newly introduced vaccines, PCV and rotavirus vaccines. Sentinel surveillance implies collection and collation of clinical, laboratory and vaccination data, among others for appropriate analysis.

WHO/AFRO VPD program would like to develop a Rooster of consultants VPD Laboratory to support VPD sentinel surveillance, analytics, and research needs.

Specifically, the consultants will support the VPD Program in the area of case-based rotavirus diarrhoea and other enteropathogens, meningitis and pneumococcal sentinel surveillance within the context of regional investment case for VPD surveillance and global strategy for comprehensive VPD surveillance.

The consultants will work across various WHO clusters/programs, closely with HQ, the WHO/AFRO Regional Office, IST and WHO country office VPD surveillance Officers and Regional Data Managers to efficiently the support VPD sentinel surveillance. Broadly, the scope of work includes co-ordination, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of sentinel surveillance and vaccine impact/effectiveness studies across WHO/AFRO countries

2.     Background

The UCN team at the WHO country office , in collaboration with the regional office and headquarters, aims to: (i) provide leadership on disease control coordination, partnership and resource mobilization; (ii) contribute to the development of WHO disease control technical products, services and tools including adoption of new technologies and innovations; (ii) support generation and use strategic information for action including optimizing investment; and (iv) provide or facilitate provision of technical support in deployment of WHO technical products and services, as well as  institutional capacity building including support to national disease programmes and regulatory authorities. community involvement in targeted high risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards. The people centred, integrated approaches to disease control involves investments around: (a) integrated guidance on disease control for each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone disease specific guidance; and (b) integrated and efficient disease control investments in strengthening the capacity of appropriate health services delivery platforms through deployment of appropriate technologies and analytics to guide stratification of disease risks across population groups in order to develop and deploy comprehensive packages of interventions appropriate for each population group and health service delivery platform, as well as monitor population access, coverage and impact to leave no one behind. In addition to country support roles, UCN including PPHM office provides regional strategic leadership towards enhanced  disease control investment efficiency,  equity and impact with focus on the following objectives: (i) leadership in  coordination, partnerships and resource mobilization for  disease control; (ii) generation of analytics-driven strategic information to set  disease control agendas and guide investments; (iii) development of WHO disease control technical products, services, and tools; and (iv) facilitation of technical support and institutional  capacity building including support to national disease programmes and regulatory authorities.

Towards attainment of the 2030 SDGs targets for VPDs in the region, the consultants will contribute to the VPD regional laboratory systems strengthening.

3.     Deliverables:

The consultant will work with the VPD team to accomplish the following tasks to be achieved by the end of specified period: 

·        Provide technical support to the national microbiology laboratories of the countries conducting VPD surveillance and for the implementation of WHO standard operating procedures

·       Coordinate quality control and external quality control programs monitoring activities of the main VPD pathogens

·       Contribute to the establishment and functionality of VPD sentinel laboratory networks in countries

·       Support laboratories to analyse the laboratory data for monitoring disease trends, vaccine impact/effectiveness and rapidly detect pathogens to guide and rapid response VPD outbreaks

·       Organize remote support and carry out regular field visits, conduct laboratory assessments/training to meet the needs of the countries.

·       Contribute to capacity building / training of laboratory teams and integrated training in collaboration with Regional Reference laboratories and WHO collaborating Centres (WHO CC).

·       Support documentation and publications based on the WHO guidance

·       Maintain real time epi, laboratory and vaccination linked data repository

·       Provide periodic technical and financial reports

·       Monitor progress of surveillance using defined key performance indicators and provide updates, year-end progress report and donor reports

·        Contribute information products (e.g., bulletins, newsletters etc.)

·       Perform other tasks assigned by the supervisor

4.     Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Éducation (Qualifications)

Essential:

Medical degree, medical microbiology/virology, bacteriology and/or relevant related field experience

Desirable:

PhD in medical sciences

Experience

·       Essential: At least 7 years of experience with public health research, epidemiology, vaccine impact /effectiveness evaluations and co-ordination of VPD surveillance

·       Previous experience with WHO technical networks, VPD surveillance, immunization data management and/or immunization systems strengthening will be an asset

·       Knowledge of VPD surveillance design and monitoring and evaluation.

·       Knowledge in Public health /research data analysis 

·       Experience in planning and organizing surveillance program reviews

·       Technical experience in planning, Co-ordinating and to provide technical assistance to countries for all aspects of sentinel surveillance

·       Work experience in UN agency, NGOs or WHO Field work is an advantage

5.     Languages and level required

·       Working proficiency in English (written, presentation and verbal communication skills)

·       Working knowledge of another language used in AFR is an asset (e.g. French, Portuguese, others)

6.     Location

·       Brazzaville

7.     Remuneration and budget

·       Band level: B (P3). Currency: US dollars (USD)

8.     Duration of work:

The duration of the position is expected for 6 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.