Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS) Consultant

Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of the consultancy is to upgrade the paper based Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS) platform and to provide technical support in rolling out and implementation of the enhanced electronic platform in EWARS implementing States Gedaref, Kassala, Northern, Red Sea, River Nile, Sennar, White Nile, Aj Jazirah and Khartoum followed by expansion in Blue Nile State. The expected outcomes of this consultancy include upgraded electronic EWARS platform with integrated modules for nutrition, malaria and MPNDSR and finalization of RRTs, laboratory and line list forms to enhance outbreak investigation and active case finding; electronic line listing module to capture and report real time large data during outbreaks; automated analysis module for large outbreak data sets; and interactive dashboards and automated generation of real time epidemiological reports for effective public health action.

Background
Over the last years, Sudan went through a severe socio-economic and political crisis, which results in an increase of vulnerable populations throughout the country. The fragile health system struggles to respond to multiple parallel emergencies such as outbreaks of dengue fever, malaria, Hepatitis E, Measles, pertussis, diphtheria, cholera, the influx of refugees and population displacements due to intercommunal tensions.
The escalation of violence in Sudan in April 2023 resulted in disruption of existing surveillance systems in the country posing a threat to early detection and rapid response of priority epidemic prone diseases. The reporting rate for paper-based IBS dropped to 14% in June 2023 while currently performing at around 50%. The reporting rate for CBS system was also significantly dropped and currently performing at around 70%. The influx of IPDs to States not having prior IPDs has posed more strain on the exhausted health system. The EWARs was implemented in 11 States of Sudan before the crisis but with the presence of newly displaced people in other States, there is an urgent need to activate the electronic EWARS reporting from all IDPs hosting States until the routine IBS system is revitalized.

The proposed consultancy aims to support WHE Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment Unit (HIM) through implementation and coordination of WHO and Health Cluster strategies for the monitoring and implementation of public health surveillance and response programmes with special focus on early detection, verification and rapid response to epidemics and other public health incidents related to the health emergencies.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 15/07/2024
End date: 31/12/2024

Work to be performed
Output 1: Develop the electronic EWARS platform with enhanced capacities for management of large line-listing outbreak data during major epidemics; RRTs investigation forms for enhanced outbreak investigation and active case finding; and real-time dashboard and generation of epidemiological reports for timely public health action.
Deliverable 1.1: Upgrade the interactive dashboards for effective monitoring of disease outbreaks and automated generation of epidemiological reports.
Deliverable 1.2: Develop integrated nutrition, malaria and MPNDSR (maternal, perinatal, and neonatal disease surveillance and response) modules within electronic EWARS platform for management of disease outbreak alerts including unstructured data of unusual health events from informal non-health reporting sources
Deliverable 1.3: Validate and review response teams forms for use during suspected or confirmed outbreak investigations of high threat pathogens
Deliverable 1.4: Develop electronic EWARS line-listing form with laboratory linkages for real time transmission of large volumes of disease outbreak date during major epidemics in humanitarian crisis settings
Deliverable 1.5: Validate and review joint supportive supervision and data quality audit forms in consultation with Federal MoH and develop electronic module for field use by WHO and State/Federal MOH staff.

Output 2: Implement the enhanced electronic EWARS system in States already implementing EWARS followed by scaling up in remaining States
Deliverable 2.1: Review and update user manuals and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the enhanced electronic EWARS system.
Deliverable 2.2: Develop QC training package for enhanced electronic EWARS system for training of EWARS staff with inclusion of additional modules for RRTs, line lists, lab, nutrition, malaria and MPNDSR.
Deliverable 2.3: Participate in technical missions to support assessments and implementation of the updated real-time early warning surveillance systems.
Deliverable 2.4: Provide a report based on the training after enhancement of electronic platform.

Specific requirements
Qualifications required: Minimum first university degree in Information Technology or equivalent.

Experience required:
From 5 to 6 years of relevant experience in programming including software design and coding; database development; and implementation of electronic EWARS for communicable diseases surveillance in
emergencies.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
1) Excellent computer and data analysis skills with ability to use MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, EPI INFO, EPIMAP and other advanced statistical and epidemiological software.
2) Knowledge and skills in development and implementation of real-time electronic EWARN
systems in emergencies.
3) Good interpersonal, cross cultural, oral and written communication and report writing skills
4) Strong understanding of Object Oriented, architecture and programming.
5) Demonstrated experience in conducts technology orientation for end users
6) Demonstrated knowledge in developing and maintaining technology policies, standards and procedures manual.

Language requirements:
Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of another WHO language would be an asset

Place of assignment
The Consultant expected to perform his work from Red Sea State Port Sudan.

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

Travel
In expansion phase of the project, he/she needs to travel to Kassala and White Nile States of Sudan as per technical needs. As part of newly established hubs in Kassala and White Nile, the states under both hubs will be invited for a joint training in each respective hub.

Additional Information:

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