National Consultant – Data Manager for Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization (VDI), Suva, Fiji

Purpose of consultancy

The Division of Pacific Technical Support and WHO Representative Office to the South Pacific is seeking technical assistance to support data management of National Immunization Programme (NIP), disease surveillance/epidemiological unit and MOH in the PICs.

Background

There have been remarkable achievements in vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization (VDI) programmes in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) over the past two decades. The countries and areas have made great efforts to safeguard their populations against Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) attaining some milestones such as sustained polio eradication, maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) and controlling measles outbreaks. These accomplishments have not only contributed to newborn survival but also played a crucial role in the reduction of child and maternal mortality aligning with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Routine immunization and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance systems are critical for sustaining achieved immunization goals and achieving new goals including measles and rubella elimination and also to preventing, detecting, and controlling disease outbreaks in the Pacific as emphasized in the Immunization Agenda 2030, Regional Strategic Framework for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization in the Western Pacific 2021-2030 and For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region. However, data management for both routine immunization and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance remains an issue, particularly in less-resourced countries and areas in the Pacific. The strains on this magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in less emphasis on data management efforts. Addressing the strains on data management is critical to ensuring the continued success of immunization programs and disease surveillance in the Pacific.

One of the key three strategic objectives of Regional Strategic Framework for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization is to manage health intelligence on VPDs and immunization. Specifically, it proposes to enhance the strategic use of epidemiological intelligence through optimized and integrated VPD surveillance systems.

Since 1997, WHO and UNICEF have jointly collected information on immunization programmes and VPDs through the Joint Reporting Form (JRF) for Immunization which is one of the main data sources for the annual WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunization coverage (WUENIC). WUENIC data is not only used by WHO and UNICEF but other development partners for planning and decision-making to improve immunization programmes. Data gathered annually is also used to track progress towards global and regional indicators such as the Immunization Agenda 2030, health-related Sustainable Development Goals and the Regional Strategic Framework for Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization in the Western Pacific 2021-2030.

The Sub-Regional Verification Committee (SRVC) for Measles and Rubella Elimination in the Pacific decided during its 10th meeting in May 2022 to request the RVC for the verification of measles and rubella elimination in the Pacific in 2025. WHO supported SRVC in developing the “Strategies and Plan of Action for Achieving Verification of Measles and Rubella Elimination in the Pacific Island Countries and Areas 2023-2025” with PICs initiating the implementation of associated activities. The Strategies and plan of action highlighted the necessity for countries and areas in the Pacific to strengthen their data management system including gathering measles vaccination and outbreak data to be presented for review by SRVC and RVC.

Improving data management and its quality for both immunization and VPD surveillance and its practices is crucial as it supports informed decision-making and planning. WHO is committed to providing support in National Immunization Programmes (NIPs) and the disease surveillance/epidemiological units and Ministries of Health (MOHs) in the Pacific to enhance these practices.

Deliverables

The national consultant will be based in Suva, Fiji and will work under the overall guidance of the Technical Officer-VDI. She/he will be working in close collaboration with the NIP, disease surveillance/epidemiological unit and MOH of countries and areas in the Pacific. The scope of the responsibilities encompasses planning, preparing, implementing and monitoring the below mentioned deliverables requiring frequent visits to countries and areas.

Output 1: Strengthened routine immunization and VPD surveillance data management and its quality in countries and areas in the Pacific.

Deliverables 1.1: Coordinate data collection, and entry of routine immunization VPD surveillance data through eJRF in countries and areas in the Pacific.
Deliverables 1.2: Integrate health information system of COVID-19 platform into routine immunization system/
Deliverables 1.3: Facilitate capacity-building activities for data management and its quality.
Deliverables 1.4: Ensure timely and accurate collection of data for immunization and VPD surveillance.

Output 2: Strengthened data collection, entry and analysis and feedback for immunization and VPD surveillance.

Deliverables 2.1: Develop database for immunization and VPD surveillance data needed for office use.
Deliverables 2.2: Collect, enter data from WHO CO and countries and areas in the Pacific for immunization and VPD surveillance, analyzing data with recommended actions.
Deliverables 2.3: Maintain up-to-date data availability from the countries including the repository ensuring proper filing of WHO documents.
Deliverables 2.4: Develop quarterly immunization and VPD surveillance bulleting and disseminate to stakeholders.
Deliverables 2.5: Facilitate the systematic collection of data and information related to measles and rubella outbreaks in the Pacific, analysis it SRVC review.

Output 3: Prepare and submit monthly and mission reports.

Deliverables 3.1: Prepare well-documented monthly reports detailing activities and achievements.
Deliverable 3.2: Prepare a comprehensive end-of-mission report including in-depth analyses submitted to the WHO DPS Office.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in nursing or public health graduate from a recognized university or its equivalent.
Desirable: Training in EPI.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of relevant experience in the immunization programmes data management at the country level.
Desirable: Working experiences in WHO or UNICEF or international organizations

Skills/Knowledge

• Sound knowledge in data management and quality assurance and in the planning, preparation, implementation and monitoring of various activities in vaccine-preventable disease and immunization programme.
• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Languages and level required

Expert knowledge of spoken and written English

Location

Onsite at WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS)office in Suva, Fiji with frequent travels to PICs and beyond.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: TDB
Expected duration of contract: 3 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.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
  The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
  Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected]
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
• WHO shall have no responsibility 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.
• This is a National Consultancy position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].
• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.

..