Environmental Surveillance Consultant

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Qualifications

The In-country Environmental Surveillance Consultant will support the WHO surveillance team on Environmental Surveillance.  He / She may also be deployed to facilitate other Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance (VPDS) and outbreak response.

Summary of assigned duties:

·         Support the country surveillance team to develop a comprehensive ES plan that is integrated into the country surveillance plan and monitor the progress of its implementation.

·         Monitor ES performance in the country and identify challenges and opportunities to achieving optimal performance for appropriated actions.

·         Conduct quarterly ES desk review and share the result with the country team and the region.

·         Conduct regular supervisory visits to areas with ES sites with particular focus to poor performing sites for appropriate intervention.

·         Build capacity of personnel on ES in the overall context of VPD surveillance.

·         Conduct investigation of poor performing ES sites and take appropriate action in conjunction with the country team and the region.

·         Ensure timely ES sample collection in all sites and shipment of samples to reach the laboratory within 3 days of sample collection.

·         Collaborate with the country surveillance team and the region to expand and optimize ES, especially in high-risk areas

·         Collaborate with the country surveillance team to ensure the use of electronic data collection tools by supervisors

·         Collaborate with the country surveillance team to regularly share ES feedback to all stakeholders in the country.

·         Share up to date tools and Field Guidance for the Implementation of Environmental Surveillance for Poliovirus to all stakeholders including sample collectors.

·         Collaborate with the country surveillance team to participate in other VPD surveillance and outbreak response activities.

·         Collaborate with other relevant government institutions (e.g. Ministry of Environment) to improve and maintain the quality of ES sites.

·         Write monthly and quarterly reports of activities and share with the country team and the region

·         Undertake other assignments and responsibilities as requested by the country surveillance team, head of country office and the regional office.

1.      Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications: Advanced university degree in epidemiology, health sciences, medicine/veterinary sciences or a related discipline that includes environmental health.

Experience: At least Five years relevant experience at national and international levels in implementation of public health surveillance including Envoronmental Surveillance, outbreak investigation and response, and epidemiology.

Skills/languages:

·         Good computer skills in Microsoft office, and statistical packages.

·         Demonstrated excellent writing ability to produce engaging and scientifically accurate communication materials. 

·         Ability to synthesize information in a clear and concise manner.

·         Ability to understand technical issues in the field of public health surveillance including Environmental Surveillance. 

·         Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environment. 

·         Excellent organizational skills combined with the ability to multi-task and produce accurate results under pressure.

·         Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, tact and discretion, sound judgement and initiative

·         Expert knowledge of English/French and basic knowledge of the country of assignment