Consultant - Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence

Purpose of consultancy

To contribute to the development of the research topic on Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence and assist in coordination of the work of the Data Preparedness Community of Practice.

To provide technical expertise in engaging and managing Data Preparedness contributors within the Division of Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Systems and help to expand its reach and awareness.

Background

The Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems Division (WSE) is responsible for building a system of collaborative intelligence enabling better decisions to avert and manage public health threats and risks. Its goal is to enable, strengthen and support countries, regional and global actors in averting and managing public health threats and risks through collaborative problem solving and decision-making for short-term action and long-term policies, informed by better data and analytics.

WSE works on a variety of projects aiming amongst other on pandemic and epidemic intelligence systems.

The projects on research encompass a wide range of topics relevant to global health and pandemic intelligence, aiming to explore the role of innovation in enhancing public health surveillance and response efforts, analyzing the current state of pandemic intelligence, and addressing the challenges in this field. The publications aim to serve as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers while also providing a platform for innovative contributions. The Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Innovation Forum and the Data Preparedness community of practice link communities of practice by convening quarterly online meetings with international domain expert leaders working on initiatives relevant to epidemic and pandemic intelligence.

To support these projects, to foster the collaborative surveillance approach, to make them successful and realize impact, the ISY team is looking for additional resources to strengthen their team.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Innovation Forum for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence.
  Expected by: end of each Quarter (29 March 2024, 28 June 2024, 30 September 2024, 31 December 2024)
  • For each of the four Innovation Forum on-line meetings in 2024, document the presentations and discussions and make sure, all files shared are properly filed and made available for the Forum community.
  • Draft a peer-review publication about each Innovation Forum topic following the meeting.
  • Work with all presenters as co-authors to facilitate submission and publication of a final peer-review manuscript, including handling all edits and changes required by the journal.
• Deliverable 2: Contribute to the collection, handling and publishing of content in any form / medium.
  Expected by: end of the consultancy (latest 31 December 2024)
  • Coordinate the submission and publication of 10 peer reviewed papers in the special Research Topic on Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in the journal Frontiers in Public Health.
  • Identify suitable peer reviewers for submitted papers and work with them to submit reviews.
  • Work with the authors of submitted papers to make edits to their papers.
  • Work with the Journal editors to ensure that all publication guidelines are followed for the 10 submitted papers.
• Deliverable 3: Data Preparedness community of practice (COP).
  Expected by: end of each Quarter (29 March 2024, 28 June 2024, 30 September 2024, 31 December 2024)
  • Organize four meetings of the Data Preparedness community of practice during 2024, including development of the agenda and participant list.
  • Document the presentations and discussions of the four meetings and produce summaries of each meeting along with an archive of files and documents for each meeting.
• Deliverable 4: Research Prioritization for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence initiative.
  Expected by: end of June 2024
  • Analyze data gathered through an online questionnaire (gathering will be completed by the end of 2023) and produce a summary report of the findings.
  • Write a peer-reviewed paper that summarizes the research prioritization for the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence.
  • Organize project team meetings including agendas and minutes for the research prioritization project team (Wellcome Trust, GLoPID-R, Charite, WHO).
• Deliverable 5: Global COVID-19 Surveillance Evaluation Study.
  Expected by: end of June 2024
  • Organize regular meetings, including agendas and minutes, of the Global COVID-19 Surveillance Evaluation study team.
  • Work with the study team to draft two peer-review papers in 2024 that summarize the main findings of the study.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• First university degree in epidemiology, demography, statistics, health sciences, medicine/veterinary sciences or a related field including quantitative methods.

Desirable:

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

Experience

Essential:

• Five to ten years' relevant experience at national and international levels within public health, including demonstrated roles in implementation of public health surveillance, quantitative methods and epidemiology.
• At least five years' relevant experience in preparation and publication of scientific documentation and public communications.
• Proven experience in the coordination of multiple technical partners/agencies.

Desirable:

• Work experience on research prioritization for pandemic and epidemic intelligence desirable.
• Previous experience with WHO.
• Work experience within resource limited countries constrains.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Database management and statistical analysis, secondary data review, epidemiological analysis, and public health information management.
• Good computer skills in Microsoft office, and a statistical package such as R, STATA, SPSS and Jamovi.
• Demonstrated ability to write well in English 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.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environment.
• Excellent organizational skills combined with ability to multi-task and produce accurate results under pressure.
• Knowledge of public health sector and issues.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is 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:

11 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.
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