$ads={1}
Primary Location: Egypt-Cairo
..
- Purpose of the Consultancy
To support the introduction, policy development, advocacy and evidence generation of seasonal influenza vaccination in the region. The consultant will also support the implementation of the regional seasonal influenza introduction roadmap in the priority countries.
- Background
In the last decade, countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have invested in the establishment and strengthening of epidemiological and virological surveillance of influenza for determining the seasonality, severity and characteristics of virus circulation in the countries. With the support of WHO/EMRO, some countries in the region conducted studies that document the disease burden of annual influenza epidemics, while calculating the baseline/threshold values to aid in early detection of pandemic influenza. It is expected that the findings and recommendations from these studies will support the development and implementation of seasonal influenza introduction policies and programmes within the context of national health priorities in EMR countries.
A sustainable seasonal influenza program not only reduces disease burden, but also strengthens health systems and leads to better pandemic preparedness. Since it is conducted annually, seasonal influenza vaccination allows for countries to develop, practice and refine vaccine approval, distribution and delivery plans each year. Increasing national, regional, and global efforts to expand the use of seasonal vaccines provides economic and public health benefits today while developing the systems for pandemic response in the future.
There has been growing interest among EMR countries in defining seasonal influenza vaccination policy and establishing programme to increase the uptake and coverage of seasonal influenza vaccine among high-risk groups such as pregnant women, children, health care workers, chronically ill individuals, and elderly adults. In November 2019, WHO/EMRO in collaboration with US-CDC and Task Force for Global Health, organized a one-day consultative meeting to discuss ways to promote the use of seasonal influenza vaccine among high-risk groups in the EMR, and identified priority activities. The priority activities proposed are directly linked to the Global Influenza Strategy (2019-2030) and the outcomes of the above consultation meeting with partners and stakeholders in addition to the specific needs expressed by the countries. It is expected that implementation of these activities will be crucial to the successful introduction of seasonal influenza vaccination programs in the Region.
- Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Start date: 25/06/2023
End date: 20/12/2023
- Work to be performed
Output 1: Measure the implementation rate of seasonal influenza vaccination introduction workplan activities for countries supported by The Partnership for Influenza Vaccine Introduction (PIVI)
Deliverable 1.1 Participate in the development of action plan, together with PIVI, Immunization program and WHO COs, on feasibility of introducing (in priority countries) and strategizing (in selected countries) seasonal influenza vaccination for vulnerable population groups. Deliverable 1.2 Assess the communication between PIVI, WHO-COs and country counterparts at the MoH to better implement their workplans of activities.
Output 2: Provide technical support to EMR priority countries for establishment and expansion of well-structured sustainable influenza vaccination programs.
Deliverable 2.1: Conduct technical missions with PIVI and other partners to priority countries to evaluate the implementation of seasonal influenza vaccination policies/programs.
Deliverable 2.2: Facilitate the organization of a sub-regional workshop with National Advisory Technical Group on Immunization (NITAGs) members and Expanded Programme on Immunization (EP)I managers on influenza vaccination resources, evidence review and recommendations development.
Deliverable 2.3: Prepare reports and document the progress done based on the results of the field mission and the workshops.
Output 3: Support selected countries in EMR to introduce seasonal influenza vaccination policies/programs.
Deliverable 3.1: Support priority countries to develop context-specific advocacy tools/communication material- on seasonal influenza vaccination and annual tailored awareness- raising campaigns.
Deliverable 3.2: Facilitate conduction of Behavioural and Social Drivers of Influenza Vaccination: Survey Matrix in priority countries.
- Technical Supervision
Hiring Manager: Dr Amal Barakat (First level), Infectious Hazard Preparedness Unit, Health Emergencies Department
Admin Focal point: Ms Ghada Salem, Administrative Assistant, IHP Unit
- Specific requirements
- Qualifications required:
Essential: University degree in Medicine, public health, epidemiology or related discipline.
Desirable: Training in communicable diseases or health policy systems
- Experience required:
Essential: Up to 5 years of progressive experience in public health program implementation and with experience in drafting, implementing, analysing, researching, and developing health care policies and programs.
Desirable: Prior experience in immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases control program.
- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Organization and efficiency skills
- Data handling and analysis skills
- Interpersonal and collaboration skills
- Language requirements:
English expert level required, intermediate level of French or Arabic is desired.
- Place of assignment
Cairo, Egypt
- Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
- Travel
The selected Consultant may 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.
10. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
- Remuneration: EGP87,274/month
- Expected duration of contract: 6 months
Additional Information (For HR use only):
- 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.
- 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 that is committed to put 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 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
