Consultant - epidemiologist, him/whe/wproWorld Health Organization

Purpose of the Consultancy
To support in conducting event-based surveillance and risk assessment of potential public health threat in Western Pacific countries;
To support in maintaining, updating, developing and implementing surveillance and assessment databases and tools used in detection, documentation and communication of all-hazard acute public health events;
To support in disseminating information through WHO communication systems and daily, weekly, and ad hoc reports.
Background
Since 2 January 2020, the three levels of WHO (China country office, Regional Office for the Western Pacific and Headquarters) have been working together to respond to this outbreak of COVID-19. On 30 January 2020, WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). On 11 March 2020, WHO Director General characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. WPRO HIM team has supported responding COVID-19 outbreak in Western Pacific regions and several members of HIM team were deployed to Country Offices, to support each country to prepare for and respond to COVID-19.
Work to be performed
Note: Below activities include the events related to COVID-19 in the Western Pacific Region.
Under the supervision of the Programme Area Manager, Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM), the consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:
Output 1: Support obtaining, assessing, monitoring, and sharing information on acute public health events on behalf of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme at WPRO taking an all hazards approach
Deliverable 1.1: Collection of official and unofficial information using event-based and indicator-based surveillance
Deliverable 1.2: Verification of official and unofficial information through communications with Member States, WHO country offices, WHO partners and research into available data and information
Deliverable 1.3: Participation in risk assessments and situation analyses
Deliverable 1.4: Presentation of potential and real events daily and weekly to the WHO colleagues outside of HIM
Deliverable 1.5: Dissemination of information through WHO communication systems and daily, weekly, and ad hoc reports, including EIS and DON posting
Output 2: Support the risk assessments and situation analyses:
Deliverable 2.1: Guide the risk assessment process using appropriate risk questions and multiple sources of information
Deliverable 2.2: Support undertaking a risk assessment of the potential for spread of a disease and the magnitude of impact on public health in that country without sufficient control activities (or, if relevant, within the Region)
Output 3: Support to produce indicator-based surveillance report, including seasonal influenza biweekly report, dengue biweekly report and avian influenza weekly report, as well as other information products on an ad-hoc basis
Output 4: Support in updating or developing surveillance and risk assessment guidelines, and maintain surveillance and assessment databases and tools used in detection, documentation and communication of all-hazard acute public health events, including event detection, and risk assessment
Output 5: Support WHO Country Offices on risk assessment, situation analysis of public health events and information sharing as requested
Output 6: Support WPRO Field Epidemiology Fellowship Programme (FEFP)
Deliverable 6.1: Support FEFP fellows, including education for signal detection, verification and risk assessment
Deliverable 6.2: Support FEFP assigned staffs, including planning and evaluation of FETP fellows' work
Output 7: Provide technical support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency activities including COVID-19 response at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency
Output 8: Provide an end of assignment report prior to departure
Output 9: Perform any other related duties as required by the functional supervisor and the Programme Area Manager, Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment
Other Deliverables:
Monthly progress report on work performed and achieved
End of mission report at the end of consultancy
Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages
Education: Advanced university degree in public health, epidemiology, quantitative methods and/or medicine, complemented by degree in epidemiology, public health, control of infectious diseases or a related discipline from a recognized university.
Experience: Minimum five years' relevant work experience with successful track record in epidemiology, information management, quantitative methods, surveillance and/or control of outbreaks, with proven field experience in epidemics or public health emergencies at national and international level.
Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries.
Language
Competent in written and verbal English.
Competencies
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Moving forward in a changing environment
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Fostering Integration and teamwork
Communication in a credible and effective way
Place of assignment
The consultancy will initially take place remotely with travel to Manila, Philippines, if conditions allow.
Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
Travel
Depending on the situation, travel to countries in the Region may be arranged as necessary.
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:
. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review. * For information on WHO's operations please visit:
. * 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
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.
Qualifications
World Health Organization

Manila City, Metro Manila
Permanent
Full-time