..
1. Area of expertise :
Unit: WHE/IHP – Infectious Hazard Prevention & Preparedness
Department: WHE – Health Emergencies
2. Background
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 preparedness. 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.
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.
3. Deliverables
The consultant is expected to do the following:
Output 1: 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. Apply comprehensive guidance toolkit 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 provide 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. Prepare data visualization template for presenting influenza disease burden estimation findings in a clear and accessible format for policymakers and stakeholders.
7. Document best practices and case studies from targeted countries that have successfully implemented enhanced methodologies for influenza disease burden estimation.
8. Propose 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.
Output 2: 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. Create 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 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 best practices from targeted countries that have successfully estimated the burden averted through vaccination, highlighting successful strategies and potential challenges.
8. Propose recommendations for future research directions or areas for improvement in burden averted estimation methodologies, based on lessons learned and emerging trends in the field.
Output 3 Provide 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. Create 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. Design 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. Propose recommendations for future research directions or areas for improvement in vaccine effectiveness measurement methodologies, based on lessons learned and emerging trends in the field.
4. Planned timelines: (4 months – subject to confirmation)
Start date: 29/05/2024
End date: 29/09/2024
5. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:
Essential: Advanced university degree in public health and epidemiology, data science. A strong background in influenza surveillance, data management and epidemiological analysis, with a deep understanding of disease burden estimation methodologies, including knowledge of statistical techniques and epidemiological study design.
International experience is mandatory.
Experience
Essential: At least 5 years of progressive experience in areas public health principles and practices, particularly in the context of infectious diseases and vaccine-preventable illnesses.
Desirable:
· Proficiency in using statistical software and data analysis tools to analyze epidemiological data and model disease burden and vaccine effectiveness.
· Experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing epidemiological studies, including burden of disease assessments and vaccine effectiveness studies.
· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey technical concepts to diverse audiences, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers.
· Experience in developing and delivering training programs and capacity-building workshops to strengthen the skills of public health professionals in disease burden estimation and vaccine effectiveness assessment.
· 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.
· Ability to engage with stakeholders at various levels, including government agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations, to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Skills/Knowledge:
· Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language
· Excellent writing and analytical skills to draft synthesis, documents, and/or reports
· Excellent basic computer skills
· Data Management skills
· Organization and efficiency skills
· Interpersonal and collaboration skills
Languages and level required :
· Excellent knowledge of English.
· Knowledge of French will be an asset.
6. Location
Off site
7. Travel
The selected Consultant will be expected to travel to countries of the Region upon request.
All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.
Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.
8. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
a. Remuneration: Payband level – B
b. Expected duration of contract: 4 months
(Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year)
9. Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
The selected Consultant will work under the supervision of:
Responsible Officer:
| Team Lead, Influenza programme, Infectious Hazard Preparedness Unit, Health Emergencies Department
|
Manager:
| Programme Area Manager, Infectious Hazard Preparedness Unit, Health Emergencies Department
|
Additional Information
· 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 into practice.
Apply for job
To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where (globalvacancies.org) you saw this job posting.
Job title: Lecturer in Law (Teaching / Research) Company Royal Holloway, University of London Job…
Job title: Sessional Lecturer, STA2570H - Numerical Methods for Finance and Insurance (0.5 FCE) Company…
Job title: Senior Director, Global Labeling Strategy Team Lead Company Bristol-Myers Squibb Job description Working…
Job title: Consultant In Anaesthesia with an interest in Intensive Care Medicine Company NHS Job…
Job title: Associate Professor / Professor - Mathematics Company University of Toronto Job description Date…