International Consultant - High-Threat Pathogens

Contractual Arrangement : External consultant
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : ‎5 MONTHS
Job Posting : Apr ‎10, ‎2023, ‎7:50:‎25 AM
Closing Date : Apr ‎26, ‎2023, ‎4:59:‎00 PM
Primary Location : Egypt-Cairo
Organization : EM/WHE WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE)
Schedule : Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of
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Please see deliverables included in attached ToR

Purpose of consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support in
surveillance work and the development of documents for the detection,
prevention, and control of high-threat pathogens such as emerging and re-
emerging vector-borne and zoonotic infectious diseases in the Eastern
Mediterranean Region.

Background

Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region continue to be the hotspots for
emerging and re-emerging diseases including infectious disease outbreaks which
have a significant impact on health and economic development in the Region.
Available surveillance data from the countries reveal that emerging vector-
borne and zoonotic diseases pose a significant burden in the Region.
Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that can spread between animals and
people with increased prevalence in recent years or at risk of increasing in
the near future. ‎6 out of every ‎10 infectious diseases in humans are spread
from animals, ‎3 out of ‎4 new or emerging infectious diseases come from
animals. Zoonotic diseases are responsible for an estimated ‎2.5 billion cases
of illness and ‎2.7 million deaths worldwide each year.
Vector-borne diseases are human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses, and
bacteria that are transmitted by vectors. Vector-borne diseases account for
more than ‎17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than ‎700 ‎000 deaths
annually.
Both vector-borne and zoonotic diseases require a multisectoral,
transdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnection between the
health of people, animals, and plants and their shared environment. The
approach ensures collaboration and coordination among all relevant sectors and
stakeholders to achieve better health outcomes.
Apparently, emerging and re-emerging vector-borne and zoonotic infections that
are associated with high morbidity and mortality continue to be an important
public health priority in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) and require
urgent attention. Countries in the Region have experienced multiple outbreaks
of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases in the last few decades, and the risk of
epidemics caused by vector-borne and zoonosis infectious diseases is high due
to the growing interaction between human and animal, climate change and
population movement within the region which further heightened the risk of the
potential spread of vector-borne and zoonosis infections.

This consultancy is expected to engage in a broad range of epidemiological
work (e.g. collection of data, investigation, analysis) and draft a regional
report based on the data collected from the regional arboviral survey and a
regional arboviral strategic plan and any other requested documents associated
to high-threat pathogens.

Work to be performed

OUTPUT ‎1: Conduct analysis and documentation of high-threat pathogens in
EMR
Deliverable ‎1.1: Draft a regional report based on the previously collected
arboviral survey data from member states in EMR
Deliverable ‎1.2: Elaborate on the regional Vector-Borne and Zoonotic
Diseases Strategic Guidance and draft a regional Arboviral Strategic Plan in
coordination with relevant units/departments in WHO and partners
Deliverable ‎1.3: Provide technical support for analysis and documentation
for the detection, prevention, and control of high-threat pathogens in EMR

OUTPUT ‎2: Engage in surveillance/epidemiological work for high-threat
pathogens in the context of One Health
Deliverables ‎2.1: Enhance coordination across ‎3 levels of WHO and with
partners, regular collection of surveillance data from countries and analysis
for high-threat pathogens, and engage in follow-up activities
Deliverable ‎2.2: Provide technical support in the development of
analytical manuscripts for surveillance and epidemiology of high-threat
pathogens in EMR and data-sharing mechanisms in the context of One Health

OUTPUT ‎3: Create a robust regional network/community for vector-borne and
zoonotic diseases in EMR
Deliverable ‎3.1: Conduct a mission to countries in response to high-threat
pathogen outbreaks or sharing of expertise based on the country's needs and
requests. Participate in WHO/external meetings as an expert in high-threat
pathogens in EMR and share expertise with others
Deliverable ‎3.2: Establish a strong regional network for vector-borne and
zoonotic diseases and linking multidisciplinary areas - surveillance/lab/case
management/RCCE/cross-cutting coordination/research etc

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's level or above) in medicine,
surveillance, or public health
Desirable: Post-graduate training or specialization in infectious diseases
and/or epidemiology.

Experience

Essential: At least ‎7 years of experience working in the area of infectious
diseases surveillance. Demonstrated country and international-level experience
with strong knowledge of infectious diseases surveillance.
Publications in infectious diseases or relevant areas.
Prior experience in developing national or higher-level documents for vector-
borne and/or zoonotic diseases.
Desirable: Knowledge and working experience in UN, regional, and global
partnerships and networks.

Skills/Knowledge

• Demonstrated skills in documenting a regional-level framework.


• Knowledge of general principles of public health and approaches.


• Demonstrated expertise in surveillance and supporting the planning, development, and implementation of norms and standards

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of other UN languages
Remuneration and Expected duration of the contract (Maximum contract
duration is ‎11 months per calendar year)
* Remuneration: at international pay band "B"
* Expected duration of the contract: ‎5 months starting from ‎01 May ‎2023

Medical clearance

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

Hiring Unit

WHO EMRO (Cairo, Egypt)

Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel according to the needs of the WHO offices
and countries

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:
https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through
Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:
* Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.
* All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided.
* Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

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.