International Consultant – Providing specialized technical assistance to Eastern Mediterranean Region countries to enhance their capabilities in areas related to influenza preparedness

Purpose of consultancy

The overarching goal of this consultancy is to provide countries in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) with specialized technical assistance to strengthen their capabilities in several areas related to influenza prepadness. This includes aiding countries in establishing or refining their methodologies to calculate baseline and threshold values for estimating the burden of influenza disease, as well as facilitating the dissemination of their findings through publication. Additionally, the consultancy will extend support to EMR countries that have conducted burden of disease estimates for influenza by assisting them in estimating the burden averted through vaccination, utilizing population-based rates and the innovative Pyramid Tool. Furthermore, technical assistance will be provided to enable countries to effectively measure the effectiveness of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine, thereby contributing to evidence-based decision-making and enhancing public health outcomes on a regional and global scale.

Background

The influenza season within the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) typically spans from week 36 to week 18, covering the period from early September of the current year to early May of the following year. However, variations exist in the onset and conclusion of the season among countries, as well as in the intensity of influenza peak activities, particularly in tropical and equatorial regions. In the seasons preceding the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, spanning from 2016/2017 to 2019/2020, EMR countries reported a total of 381,756 specimens tested for influenza virus to the WHO, with 83,940 (22%) testing positive. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2019-2020 influenza season, a global decrease in influenza virus activity was observed following the identification of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This decline varied across regions, with some countries experiencing minimal influenza seasonal activity or reporting few cases, while others, such as those in Western Africa, continued to detect influenza activity into the latter half of 2020. The decrease in influenza and other respiratory viruses has been primarily attributed to the implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) aimed at mitigating the spread and impact of SARS-CoV-2. Despite observing a decline in influenza virus activity within the WHO EMR, a comprehensive characterization of this decline is lacking. Therefore, this assignment aims to provide technical assistance to countries in the EMR, enhancing their capacity to estimate influenza disease burden, evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination programs, and ultimately strengthen influenza preparedness and response efforts in the region.

Work to be performed

Output1: Provide technical expertise to the countries in implementing/enhancing their capacity to calculate baseline and threshold values for influenza disease burden estimation and publish their findings

Deliverables

1. Provide technical support to member states to apply comprehensive guidance on methodologies for calculating baseline and threshold values for influenza disease burden estimation, tailored to the specific needs and contexts of individual countries

2. Develop training material fit to the region, including presentations, manuals, and case studies, to facilitate capacity building workshops on baseline and threshold value calculation methods

3. Provide technical assistance packages offering one-on-one support to countries in implementing and refining their methodologies for influenza disease burden estimation.

4. Review and feedback on draft manuscripts detailing the findings of influenza disease burden estimation studies conducted with technical support provided

5. Publish research papers showcasing the methodologies, results, and implications of influenza disease burden estimation studies conducted with assistance from technical experts.

6. Develop data visualization template for presenting influenza disease burden estimation findings in a clear and accessible format for policymakers and stakeholders.

7. Document the best practices and case studies from targeted countries that have successfully implemented enhanced methodologies for influenza disease burden estimation.

8. Provide recommendations for future research directions or areas for improvement in influenza disease burden estimation methodologies based on lessons learned and emerging trends in the field.

Output2:Provide technical support to countries to estimate the burden averted through vaccination for the counties who completed burden of disease estimates for influenza, utilizing population-based rates and the Pyramid Tool

Deliverables

1. Develop methodological guidelines for estimating the burden averted through vaccination, tailored to the specific context and data availability of individual countries.

2. Develop training materials, including presentations, manuals, and case studies, to facilitate capacity building workshops on burden averted estimation methodologies using population-based rates and the Pyramid Tool.

3. Provide technical assistance package offering one-on-one support to countries in implementing burden averted estimation methodologies, including assistance with data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

4. Review on draft manuscripts detailing the findings of burden averted estimation studies conducted with technical support provided.

5. Publish research papers showcasing the methodologies, results, and implications of burden averted estimation studies conducted with assistance from technical experts.

7. Document of best practices from targeted countries that have successfully estimated the burden averted through vaccination, highlighting successful strategies and potential challenges.

8. Provide recommendations for future research directions or areas for improvement in burden averted estimation methodologies, based on lessons learned and emerging trends in the field.

Output3Provide technical support to countries to measure effectiveness of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

Deliverables

1. Develop standard operating procedures for measuring the effectiveness of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine, tailored to the specific context and data availability of individual countries.

2. Develop training materials to facilitate capacity building workshops on vaccine effectiveness measurement methodologies.

3. Provide technical assistance packages offering one-on-one support to countries in implementing vaccine effectiveness measurement methodologies, including assistance with study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

4. Review draft reports detailing the findings of vaccine effectiveness studies conducted with technical support provided.

5. Publish research papers showcasing the methodologies, results, and implications of vaccine effectiveness studies conducted with assistance from technical experts.

6. Develop data visualization tools or templates for presenting vaccine effectiveness findings in a clear and accessible format for policymakers and stakeholders.

7. Document best practices from countries that have successfully measured the effectiveness of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine, highlighting successful strategies and potential challenges.

8. Provide recommendations for future research directions or areas for improvement in vaccine effectiveness measurement methodologies, based on lessons learned and emerging trends in the field.

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Minimum an advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics or data science.

Experience

Essential

• Over 10 years of progressive experience in areas public health principles and practices, particularly in the context of infectious diseases and vaccine-preventable illnesses.
• Strong background in influenza disease surveillance, data management and epidemiological analysis.

Desirable:

• Deep understanding of disease burden estimation methodologies including epidemiological study design and statistical techniques.
• Experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing vaccine effectiveness studies.
• Proficiency in using statistical software and data analysis tools to analyze epidemiological data and model disease burden and vaccine effectiveness.
• Experience in developing and delivering training programs and capacity-building workshops to strengthen the skills of public health professionals in data management, disease burden estimation and vaccine effectiveness assessment.
• Ability to engage with stakeholders at various levels, including government agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations, to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Track record of publications in disease burden estimation, vaccine effectiveness and vaccine impact.

Skills/Knowledge

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey technical concepts to diverse audiences, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work effectively in diverse cultural and geographic contexts, collaborating with stakeholders from different countries and regions.
• Strong project management skills to coordinate technical assistance activities, manage timelines and deliverables, and ensure the successful implementation of consultancy tasks.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills to draft synthesis, documents, and/or reports.
• Excellent basic computer and Data Management skills.
• Organization and efficiency skills.
• Interpersonal and collaboration skills

Languages and level required

Essential Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language.

Desirable French Language is an asset

Location

The selected Consultant will be expected to travel to countries of the Region upon request..

Medical clearance

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

Hiring Unit

WHO EMRO WHE IHP

Remuneration and Expected duration of the contract(Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year)

• Remuneration: Band level “C”.
• Expected duration of the contract 4 months, starting from 1 July 2024

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: Enhanced WHO global competency model

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply online through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:

a)Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.

b)All required details regarding your qualifications, education, and training are provided.

c)Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

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 an 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.

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• 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 is committed to putting 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.