Consultant - Epidemiology and Surveillance-Intel Info Products. ARC at World Health Organization

Purpose of consultancy

To collect, analyze and disseminate information on epidemiological trends and evidence. He/she will conduct the surveillance process of, monitoring of public health interventions, coordinate and provide data management and analytic support for acute responses.  

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Public Health Intelligence.  
  • Conduct public health intelligence activities on COVID-19 received from multiple sources, conduct retrospective analysis of reported incidents, determine trends and distribution patterns.
  • Strengthen global and regional monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants through enhancing detection and characterization of VOIs and VOCs.
  • Strengthen and further develop SARS-CoV-2 variant public health risk assessment through revision of relevant epidemiological and genetic indicators for longer-term surveillance, integration of alternative approaches.
• Deliverable 2: Data management and analytics.  
  • Collect, review, verify and manage COVID-19 outbreak data and information, including data on SARS-CoV-2 variants, to be published in external and internal products in a timely manner.
  • Prepare and provide daily briefings to the Incident Management Support Team on the current epidemiological and variant situation globally of the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Review and respond to enquiries from WHO colleagues across all levels of the organization as well as external partners on the accuracy and validity of daily COVID-19 case and death data, and on enquiries related to variants.
• Deliverable 3: Health information products.  
  • Prepare and disseminate technical documents, updates and assessments to key decision-makers in the organizational hierarchy, and others as required using standard tools and templates.
  • Produce analysis for information products and develop material for a peer review publication.
  • Research and identify sources of information related to the COVID-19 for the drafting of technical materials, situation reports, briefing notes, articles and other materials.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in epidemiology, demography, statistics, health sciences, medicine/veterinary sciences or a related discipline that includes quantitative methods.

Desirable: 

• Advanced degree in health-related field or quantitative epidemiology.

Experience

Essential:

• Seven to ten years relevant experience at national and international levels in implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response, quantitative methods and epidemiology.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Skills in database management and statistical analysis, secondary data review, epidemiological analysis and public health information management. 
• Skills in epidemiological analysis and public health information management, database management and statistical analysis, secondary data review. 
• Good computer skills in Microsoft office, and statistical packages, such as R, STATA, and SPSS.
• Demonstrated excellent English writing and ability to produce engaging and scientifically accurate communication materials. 
• Ability to synthesize information in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to understand technical issues in the field of public health as well as knowledge of epidemiology, quantitative methods, and surveillance in emerging/re-emerging diseases. 
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environment. 
• Excellent organizational skills combined with the ability to multi-task and produce accurate results under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, tact and discretion, sound judgment and initiative.
• Ability to work under pressure and to clearly articulate and present concepts and procedures to a broad range of audiences. 
• Knowledge of public health sector and issues.

Closing Date: Mar 15, 2023,