Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

To contribute to the surveillance of the 2030 global eye care targets, including statistical analysis and the development and implementation of a population-based survey manual for the global sensory functions.

Background

In November 2020, Member States endorsed the recommendations of the World report on vision with the adoption of the resolution titled ‘Integrated people-centered eye care, including preventable vision impairment and blindness’ at the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA73.4). One of the requests in resolution WHA 73.4 was for WHO, in consultation with Member States, to prepare recommendations on feasible global targets for 2030 focusing on two global tracer eye care indicators, effective coverage of cataract surgery (eCSC) and effective coverage of refractive error (eREC). To this end, WHO undertook a consultative process with Member States, and experts from the field, to develop global targets for eCSC and eREC that were endorsed by the 74th World Health Assembly in May 2021. The two new ambitious global eye care targets for 2030 are – a 40 per cent increase in eREC and a 30 per cent increase in eCSC. The essential purpose of these indicators and related targets is to drive eye health coverage while delivering care of quality.

Members States, via the informal Member State consultation (2 Nov 2020) and 148th session of the WHO Executive Board (2021), emphasized the need for additional support from WHO to develop a monitoring framework for the two indicators. Thus, WHO plans to undertake several activities to contribute to surveillance of the global eye care targets.

Deliverables

Objective 1: Contribute to the pilot testing of a population-based survey protocol to facilitate the collection of data on eye and hearing care indicators by Member States.

• Output:
  • 1.1: Contribute to finalizing a population-based survey manual for the global sensory functions’ indicators.
  • 1.2: Contribute to the planning and carrying out piloting of the population-based survey methodology in two Member States.

Objective 2: Contribute to the analysis of data on the global eye care indicators.

• Output:
  • 2.1: Contribute to the statistical analysis to produce updated estimates of the global eye care indicators at the midpoint of the global targets.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• University degree in a science related field.

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree in ophthalmic epidemiology or a related field.

Experience

Essential:.

• Over 5 years of relevant experience in an eye care related field.
• Experience in academic writing as demonstrated by at least 5 scientific publications.

Desirable:

• Previous experience with WHO or other UN agencies.

Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Languages required:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B – USD 7,000 – 9,980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 months.

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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html