National Consultant – Support and Participate in Data Analysis and Collection for Infectious Hazard Prevention and Preparedness

Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to collaborate and support WHO and the Member States of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO EMR) for data collection, management and analysis of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) and High-Threat Pathogens (HTPs) to strengthen country preparedness and effective rapid response capacities.

Background

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever which can have a case fatality rate up to 40%. It is a tick-borne virus affecting domestic animals and humans, which can be transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, during and immediately after slaughter. CCHF is endemic in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asian countries south of the 50th parallel north – the geographical limit of the principal tick vector. WHO EMRO has been actively supporting countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to improve their capacities to prepare for and respond to CCHF.

In this connection, WHO with the support of DTRA is implementing the project: Strengthening Preparedness and Effective Rapid Response Capacities for Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Disease. This will be done by developing and implementing an operational guidance document in close collaboration with ministries of health and key partners.

The project will be conducted with strong coordination and collaboration across the three levels of the Organization and with direct connection with affected countries and regions. While some of the work is CCHF-specific, it will also provide capacities for other infectious diseases (cf. optimized supportive care of patient, infection prevention and control, laboratory strategy, prevention and control strategy for other emerging infectious diseases, One Health approach).

In EMR, the project will focus on Iraq that report most of confirmed cases per year in the region since 2022. However, the consultant is expected to support other CCHF affected countries in the region.

The consultant will support the data collection, management and analytics of CCHF and events associated to high-threat pathogens such as vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, as well as contribute to the data integration by providing technical inputs and liaising with different technical units and departments across 3 levels of WHO. The consultant will also be supporting the overall implementation and reporting of the project.

Work to be performed

4.1. Data Collection, Management and Analysis

• Collect, Manage and Analyze the CCHF data.
• Collect, Manage and Analyze the High Threat Pathogen (HTP) data.

4.2. Capacity building of target countries

• Deliver data management/analysis training for the targeted countries.
• Provide technical support to Support targeted countries for the assigned technical area.

4.3. Develop reports with technical insights

• Submit reports on a regular basis and contribute to the overall CCHF guidance development in control and response to CCHF.
• Contribute to internal and external reporting, publication, and documentation for the assigned technical area.

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Medical degree (MD)

Desirable: Postgraduate degree in epidemiology, statistics, data management or relevant area

Experience

Essential

• At least two years’ professional experience in public health
• Well recorded experience in health data management, analysis, and report generation

Desirable: Work experience in WHO, other UN or another international public health organization will be an asset.

Skills/Knowledge

• Efficiency in management and manipulation of large datasets.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficiency in statistical and data analysis software (R, Power-Bi).
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills

Languages and level required

Essential Fluency in oral and written English

Desirable Fluency in Arabic is an asset

Location

The selected Consultant will be working on-site at WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO), Cairo, Egypt.

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: National rate at NOB Level

·Expected duration of the contract 5 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.

• 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 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.