Job Description

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Qualifications

Purpose of the 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, and the department of CDS and WHE SEARO, the regional arbovirus consultant will (1) serve as liaison between WHO Headquarters and WHO SEARO arbovirus teams (Neglected Tropical Diseases/Emergencies), (2) assist SEARO in developing a new Regional Strategic Framework for control and prevention of Aedes-borne arboviral diseases in South-East Asia through Regional adaptation of the 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 and Regional arbovirus dashboard, (4) organize, coordinate and assist regional calls/webinars for training on the use of new WHO arbovirus guidance (5) coordinate invitations for quarterly regional update calls, (6) assist SEARO in preparing report of various reports as stated below, and (7) support the regional colleagues in providing technical support for arbovirus outbreak/transmission within the Region.

Background & Detailed ToRs

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 with Zika virus during pregnancy or chikungunya virus perinatally can cause significant adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes.

The World Health Organization has launched a Global Arbovirus Initiative for 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 in the WHO South-East Asia Region, WHO will appoint a regional consultant to support WHO South-East Asia Regional Office in addressing preparedness needs, focusing intervention strategies through shared priority-setting with the regional office and member states and projecting the impact of future emerging/re-emerging arboviruses globally.

Under the guidance of the WHO-SEARO, the consultant will closely liaise with WHE and in consultation with WCOs and Member States, implement the below-listed activities. Detailed terms of reference are as follows:

• Conduct a comprehensive arboviral disease control programme review in the WHO South-East Asia Region
• Support development of a new Regional strategic framework for prevention and control of arbovirus disease in South-East Asia through regional adaptation of the Global Arboviral Initiative
• Support strengthening country systems for epidemiological and entomological surveillance and data analysis on dengue and other arboviruses
• Support improvement of data reporting, analysis and visualization on arboviral diseases in the WHO South-East Asia Region
• Support organization of the Regional Technical Advisory Group (RTAG) for dengue and other arbovirus diseases, including a consultation on a draft regional strategic framework for prevention and control of arbovirus diseases
• Support Regional and country specific work plan, budgets and resource mobilization
• Support arbovirus outbreak response/transmission control within the WHO South-East Asia Region

Deliverables

Output 1

• Report and a manuscript of the Arbovirus Surveillance and Response Capacity survey in WHO South-East Asia Region for publication
• Summary document of Vector Control Needs Assessments (VCNA) conducted in WHO South-East Asia Region
• A draft outline of the new Regional Strategic Framework for control and prevention of dengue and other arboviral diseases in South-East Asia
• A draft planning form to organize a meeting of the Regional Technical Advisory Group (RTAG) for dengue and other arbovirus diseases
• Compiled list of data sources (epidemiological surveillance, vector surveillance, laboratory networks) across Member States within the Region and at those at Regional level

Output 2

• Report and a manuscript of review of the dengue situation and progress made by Member States in control of dengue and other arboviral diseases in WHO South-East Asia Region to complement Arbovirus Surveillance and Response Capacity survey and VCNA
• Country-specific key activities, workplans and budgets on arboviral disease control
• Proposed standard indicators and format for regular reporting from countries to WHO (CO/RO)
• First draft of the new Regional Strategic Framework for control and prevention of dengue and other arboviral diseases in South-East Asia following consultation with WCOs

Output 3

• Draft programme and working document for the RTAG meeting
• Second draft of the new Regional Strategic Framework for control and prevention of dengue and other arboviral diseases in South-East Asia following consultation with WCOs and Member States
• Regional arbovirus dashboard as part of the global arbovirus dashboard

Output 4

• Draft conclusions and recommendations of the RTAG meeting
• Draft report of the RTAG meeting
• Final draft of the new Regional Strategic Framework for control and prevention of dengue and other arboviral diseases in South-East Asia following consultation with WCOs and Member States
• Updated WHO-SEARO website on arboviral diseases
• Final report of activities to be provided to RO and Headquarters to be incorporated into grant funding reports

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Masters level degree or PhD in medicine, public health, epidemiology or other science background

Desirable: Training in arboviral disease, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biology, vector surveillance and control, and/or tropical medicine

Experience

Essential: Minimum 7 years of working experience in public health, epidemiology, vector surveillance and control, or infectious diseases.

Desirable:

• Experience in research and research methods.
• Experience working within the South-East Asia Region.

Skills/Knowledge:

Technical expertise in arboviruses, infectious diseases, and epidemiology.

• Documented experience conducting, compiling, and summarizing research data.
• Documented experience implementing arboviral/vector-borne/infectious disease programmes, especially surveillance and disease management at national or regional level.
• Excellent communication skills in English, written and oral.
• Strong organizational skills.
• 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.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced):

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.

Location

The consultant will be working onsite at the South-East Asia Regional Office for the entire period of the contract. Per diem will only be granted to consultant while sent on mission according to WHO rules.

Travel

The Consultant may be required to travel to WHO-Headquarters, Geneva and participating countries for meetings related to the projects.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

• Remuneration: International consultant pay 'Band Level-B'

Monthly remuneration between USD 7,000 to USD 9,980.

• Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited): Per diem will be paid as per WHO rules applicable to international consultant
• Expected duration of contract:

Start date: 1 November 2022

End date: 31 August 2023

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.