Consultant – Revision of the Tricycle protocol

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise to produce the final report on the early implementation of the Tricycle protocol, critically review and revise the protocol.

Background

WHO developed the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) to to enable integrated analysis of standardized, comparable and validated data on AMR and AMC/AMU to be shared with countries and inform strategies to tackle AMR locally, regionally and globally. GLASS aims to foster national surveillance systems and will gather AMR and AMC/AMU surveillance information provided by the national governmental bodies. Currently more than 130 countries, territories and areas are participating in GLASS. More information on GLASS is available at https://www.who.int/initiatives/glass.
As part of GLASS-One Health Module, a multisectoral integrated approach for AMR surveillance targeting the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli has been developed, known as the “Tricycle protocol”, resulting in the publication in March 2021 of the protocol WHO integrated global surveillance on ESBL-producing E. coli using a “One Health” approach: implementation and opportunities. The Tricycle Protocol has been applied in several countries during its development phase, and since its publication other countries have expressed the interest to also implement this approach. These countries have valued the protocol as a tool to foster the One Health integrated surveillance approach. An internal report on the lessons learnt from the early implementation of Tricycle has been developed. To finalize the in-depth analysis to inform the revision and further development of this One Health surveillance approach and its application, technical contribution from the WHO AMR Surveillance Collaborating Centres Network, implementing partners and other stakeholders is required. This offers an opportunity for improving the methodology to understand better the relatedness of AMR across the different sectors through the application of molecular epidemiology and new genotypic analytical tools and alignment of the Tricycle protocol with the approaches to One health integrated surveillance currently being developed by the Quadripartite.

Deliverables

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in areas related to epidemiology.

Desirable:

• Ph.D. in epidemiology.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in an epidemiological field.
• At least 7 years of professional, hands-on experience with epidemiological data.
• At least 5 years of experience working specifically in the field of antimicrobial resistance surveillance.
• Proven experience in developing technical reports and guidance documents including in the field of AMR.

Desirable:

• At least 5 years of experience working with WHO or other UN agencies.
• Proven experience in the field of veterinary medicine or environmental health.
• Work experience within resource limited countries.

Skills:

• Solid technical knowledge on infectious diseases and AMR.
• Knowledge of the principles of AMR epidemiology and surveillance.
• Proven analytical and data presentation skills.
• Good computer skills in Microsoft office, and a statistical package such as R and STATA.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of the principles of molecular diagnostic of infectious diseases.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B – USD 7,000 – 9,980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

Six months. Part-time at 70%. Remuneration will be pro-rated accordingly.

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.
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• 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.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html