Consultant - information and planning (epidemiologist), imst/whe/wproWorld Health Organization

Purpose of the Consultancy
The consultant is being recruited to provide technical assistance for epidemiology to the ongoing COVID-19 response activities.
Background
Since 2 January 2020, the three levels of WHO have been working together to respond to this outbreak of COVID-19. On 30 January, WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). On 11 March, WHO Director General characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. The WPRO response plan is envisaged until the end of 2021, it is however continually reviewed. Support for each pillar of the response is greatly needed.
The purpose of this emergency deployment is to support effective response operations related to the outbreak of pneumonia associated with COVID-19, with a focus on information and planning functions, as part of the Incident Management System Team (IMST) of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila.
Planned timelines
Start date : 10/01/2022
End date : 30/06/2022
Work to be performed
Under the overall supervision of the WPRO IMST Incident Manager, the information and planning pillar lead and WHO Country Representative, the consultant will:
Output 1: Develop and maintain COVID-19 surveillance system
Deliverable 1.1: Provide technical support to conduct Event-based surveillance related to COVOD-19, verify received rumor information, conduct rapid risk assessment, and provide key inputs to the daily IMST presentation.
Deliverable 1.2: Support in preparing the Variant of Concern (VoC) briefing notes and disseminating to relevant audiences for information sharing.
Deliverable 1.3: Attending the relevant technical meetings including variant of concern with WHO HQ and partners on behalf of the Information and Planning pillar of WPRO IMST for COVID-19 response.
Deliverable 1.4: Contribute to collate technical information related to COVID-19 surveillance and response and assist in drafting the regional and national technical documents as required.
Output 2: Support WPR Country offices
Deliverable 2.1: Support WHO Country Offices to conduct epidemiological situation analysis using multisource surveillance information to inform decision making on response strategies.
Deliverable 2.2: Support WCO focal points to prepare country presentations and present at the IMST meeting.
Output 3: Support COVID-19 IMST regarding situation analysis of COVID-19
Deliverable 3.1: Collaborate with other pillar team members to conduct real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data including non-health sectors for epidemic forecasting and guiding appropriate response strategies.
Deliverable 3.2: Perform any other incident‐specific related duties, as required by the respective Pillar Leads and Incident Manager.
Deliverables:
Progress report (monthly); and
Technical report at the end of consultancy.
Specific Requirements
Education
Essential: First level university degree in public health, epidemiology, social science, international studies or related field
from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: An advanced university degree in health-related field or quantitative epidemiology, specialized training in communicable diseases.
Experience
Essential: At least two‐year work experience related to the field of epidemiology or public health such
as surveillance and outbreak investigation and response or public health program management.
Desirable: Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies; experience working in relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations. Experience in developing countries.
Skills / Technical skills and knowledge
Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills
Ability to work in a team with limited supervision
Ability to work under pressure
Excellent communication skills
Language requirements
Proficient in written and spoken English.
Competencies
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Communication
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
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.
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