Consultant - Regional Arboviral.

Contractual Arrangement : External consultant
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : ‎1 year
Job Posting : Jul ‎7, ‎2022, ‎7:43:‎28 AM
Closing Date : Jul ‎20, ‎2022, ‎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
applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

.
Template for advertisement of Consultant vacancies

Area of expertise

Consultant - Regional Arboviral.

Purpose of consultancy

In collaboration with the WHE Programme in the Department for Epidemic and
Pandemic Preparedness (EPP) and Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme of WHO
Headquarters, Geneva, on one side and the department(s) of the WHE/DCD EMRO,
on the other the regional arbovirus consultant will (‎1) serve as liaison
between WHO Headquarters and WHO RO arbovirus teams (Emergencies/DCD- Malaria
and Vector Control Unit), (‎2) assist ROs and member states in
adapting/developing a Global Arbovirus Initiative to address regional
priorities and identify and implement key activities, (‎3) identify and engage
data sources (epidemiological surveillance, vector surveillance, laboratory
networks) for global arbovirus dashboard, (‎4) organize, coordinate and assist
regional calls/webinars for training on the use of new WHO arbovirus tools,
(‎5) coordinate invitations for quarterly regional update calls, (‎6) assist
regional offices in preparing report of Arbovirus Surveillance and Response
Capacity survey, and (‎7) support the regional colleagues in providing
technical support for arbovirus outbreak/transmission within the region. The
work will be performed in collaboration with Dr Diana Rojas Alvarez, technical
officer for Zika and chikungunya viruses from June ‎2022-May ‎2023.

Background

Epidemics due to mosquito-borne viruses have escalated globally over the past
two decades, with expansion of their frequency, intensity, and geographic
footprint. Viruses transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes include dengue,
Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya viruses and cause a wide spectrum of
clinical manifestations from asymptomatic and mild infections to lethal and
debilitating disease. In addition, infection during with Zika virus during
pregnancy or chikungunya virus perinatally can cause significant adverse fetal
and neonatal outcomes.

The World Health Organization is launching a global arbovirus strategy for
Aedes-borne arboviral diseases that will strengthen the coordination,
communication, capacity-building, research, preparedness, and response
necessary to mitigate the growing risk of epidemics due to arboviral diseases.
The Initiative will include the Aedes-borne viruses initially but can be
expanded to other arboviruses depending on the regional public health
priorities.

To support the implementation of the Global Arbovirus Initiative at regional
and member state level, WHO, will appoint regional consultants to regions with
significant Aedes-borne arbovirus disease threats. This scope of work will
address preparedness needs, focus intervention strategies through shared
priority-setting with the regional office and Member States and project the
impact of future emerging/re-emerging arboviruses globally.

Deliverables

• Deliverable ‎1…. Expected by: September ‎7,2022

Activity ‎1.1 Convene regional call to engage stakeholders at the Regional
Office and WHO Headquarters in Geneva and establish contact with WCO/national
focal points in each member state.
Activity ‎1.2 Review Global Arbovirus Initiative with the Regional Office to
determine areas for regional adaptation and priority activities.
Activity ‎1.3 Assist Regional Office in preparing report of Arbovirus
Surveillance and Response Capacity survey.
Activity ‎1.4 Assist Regional Office in providing technical support for
arbovirus outbreak response/transmission control within the region.

• Deliverable ‎2… Expected by: October ‎7, ‎2022

Activity ‎2.1 Prepare with Regional Offices a plan for inclusive adaptation of
the Global Arbovirus Initiative document through consultation with regional
experts and member states e.g., under guidance of regional technical advisory
groups. Schedule regional meetings/workshops and extend invitations to
proposed participants.
Activity ‎2.2 Work with Regional and national focal points to develop country-
specific key activities and workplans.
Activity ‎2.3 Assist member states and WCOs with development of funding
proposals to support workplans if internal funding is not available
Activity ‎2.4 Support countries within the Region participating as sentinel
sites for integrated arbovirus interventions.
Activity ‎2.5 Assist Regional Offices in finalizing report of Arbovirus
Surveillance and Response Capacity survey and submitting for publication.

• Deliverable ‎3… Expected by: November ‎7, ‎2022

Activity ‎3.1 Conduct regional meetings/workshops (either virtual or in-person)
convening member states to discuss Global Arbovirus Initiative adaptation and
incorporate discussion feedback into the Regional adaptation of the Global
Arbovirus Initiative document.
Activity ‎3.2 Compile a list of data sources (epidemiological surveillance,
vector surveillance, laboratory networks) across Member States within the
Region and at those at Regional level.
Activity ‎3.3 Support Regional Office and WCOs in streamlining and
strengthening Regional arbovirus data/information system to feed into global
arbovirus dashboard
Activity ‎3.3 Assist member states and WCOs with development of funding
proposals to support workplans if internal funding is not available
Activity ‎3.4 Provide technical support to the Regional Office for control of
arbovirus outbreak/transmission

• Deliverable ‎4… Expected by: December ‎7, ‎2022

Activity ‎4.1 Finalize Regional adaptation of the Global Arbovirus Initiative
document for dissemination to Member States and submission to Headquarters.
Activity ‎4.2 Convene regional call with stakeholders at the Regional Office
and WHO Headquarters in Geneva to provide a progress update and outline next
steps for implementation.
Activity ‎4.3 Prepare data sharing agreements for regional and country-level
data sources and the global arbovirus dashboard
Activity ‎4.3 Provide technical support to the Regional Office for control of
arbovirus outbreak/transmission

• Deliverable ‎5… Expected by: January ‎7, ‎2023

Activity ‎5.1 Conduct calls with Regional Office and Member State focal points
to provide training using new WHO arbovirus tools.
Activity ‎5.2 Conduct site visits (if travel is permitted) to sentinel
countries and countries conduction other Global Arbovirus Initiative-related
activities.
Activity ‎5.3 Support Headquarters and regional offices in operationalizing
data sharing for the global arbovirus dashboard.

• Deliverable ‎6… Expected by: February ‎7, ‎2023

Activity ‎6.1 Conduct calls with remaining Member State focal points to provide
training using new WHO arbovirus tools in collaboration with RO/WCOs
Activity ‎6.2 Conduct regional data quality checks of data feeding into the
global dashboard.
Activity ‎6.3 Provide technical support to the Regional Office for control of
arbovirus outbreak/transmission

• Deliverable ‎7… Expected by: April ‎7, ‎2023

Activity ‎7.1 Convene regional call with stakeholders at the Regional Office
and WHO Headquarters in Geneva to provide a progress update and outline next
steps for implementation.
Activity ‎7.2 Support regional emergencies/NTD/CDS laboratory coordinator in
conducting needs assessments for arbovirus diagnostics
Activity ‎7.3 Conduct regional data quality checks of data feeding into the
global dashboard.

• Deliverable ‎8… Expected by: April ‎7, ‎2023

Activity ‎8.1 Support sentinel priority countries in preparing update reports
and convene calls with sites, WHO Regional Office, and WHO Headquarters teams
to update on progress.
Activity ‎8.2 Provide technical support to the Regional Office for control of
arbovirus outbreak/transmission

• Deliverable ‎9… Expected by: May ‎7, ‎2023

Activity ‎9.1 Conduct virtual meeting among member states to assess Global
Arbovirus Initiative progress at the ‎6-month mark after the regional meeting.
Activity ‎9.2 Provide technical support to the Regional Office for control of
arbovirus outbreak/transmission

• Deliverable ‎10… Expected by: June ‎7, ‎2023

Activity ‎10.1 Convene regional call with stakeholders at the Regional Office
and WHO Headquarters in Geneva to provide a progress update and outline next
steps for implementation.
Activity ‎10.2 Conduct regional data quality checks of data feeding into the
global dashboard.

• Deliverable ‎11… Expected by: July ‎7, ‎2023

‎11.1 Prepare and submit year-end report of activities to be provided to RO and
Headquarters to be incorporated into grant funding reports
‎11.2 Provide technical support for arbovirus outbreak/transmission within the
region

• Deliverable ‎12… Expected by: August, ‎6 ‎2023

Activity ‎12.1 Submit manuscript/presentation for an international meeting
(e.g., ASTMH)
Activity ‎12.2 Convene regional call with stakeholders at the Regional Office
and WHO Headquarters in Geneva to provide a progress update and outline next
steps for implementation.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: - University degree in Epidemiology public health is required.
* Field/on-site training and experience in arboviral disease, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biology, vector surveillance and control, and/or tropical medicine.

Experience
Essential: Minimum ‎5 years of working experience in public health,
epidemiology, vector surveillance and control, or infectious diseases.
* Experience in research and research methods.
* Experience working within the Region in infectious diseases:

Skills/Knowledge:

o Technical expertise in arboviruses, infectious diseases, and epidemiology.
o Documented experience conducting, compiling, and summarizing research public
health data.
o Documented experience implementing arboviral/vector-borne/infectious disease
programmes at national or regional level.
o Excellent communication skills in English, written and oral.
o Strong organizational skills.
o High level of professionalism with the ability to work in a diverse work
environment, including with high-level partners from governmental and non-
governmental organizations.
o Ability to work well as part of a team.

Languages and level required (Expert):

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential and knowledge of Arabic is
desirable.

Location

Cairo, Egypt

Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel abroad to WHO- Headquarters, Geneva as
well as to participating countries and regional offices for meetings related
to the projects, including project discussions and implementation if required.

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.