Pandemic Fund Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, WHO plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to health emergencies, providing technical assistance, and setting global health standards. The organization is committed to achieving universal health coverage and addressing health inequities across the globe.

Job Overview:
The Pandemic Fund Consultant will play a vital role in supporting Bangladesh's efforts to enhance its pandemic preparedness and response capabilities. This position is crucial in the context of the ongoing challenges posed by public health emergencies, particularly highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The consultant will be responsible for developing and implementing community-based surveillance (CBS) strategies, ensuring that interventions are aligned with national priorities. The role requires a proactive approach to monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies, as well as fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and local communities. The consultant will also be tasked with creating visibility for the Pandemic Fund's initiatives, thereby enhancing public awareness and engagement in health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security measures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: developing data collection tools to track progress on key workplan indicators; compiling periodic progress reports that document achievements, challenges, and lessons learned; supporting relevant agencies and partners in implementing workplan activities; designing a results-based monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework for each sub-activity under the Pandemic Fund workplan; facilitating communication and coordination between government counterparts and development partners; identifying bottlenecks in implementation and proposing timely solutions; ensuring that workplans integrate considerations of gender, disability inclusion, equity, and local community dynamics; supporting capacity-building initiatives through workshops and training activities; developing and implementing a visibility plan to highlight efforts under the Pandemic Fund; coordinating the production of human-interest stories, social media content, IEC materials, and audio-visual documentation to showcase program impact; and submitting monthly activity and quarterly achievement reports. The consultant may also be required to perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in public health, communication, behavioral science, social science, or a related field, along with a postgraduate or Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH). Specialized training in disease surveillance and field epidemiology is desirable. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience working in public health, with demonstrated experience in advising field epidemiology training programs, particularly in resource-limited countries. Experience in designing visibility products, social media content, IEC materials, and audio-visual documentation is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in developing national and/or international guiding documents, with desirable experience in surveillance, field epidemiology, or response for diseases of epidemic and pandemic potential, as well as experience working at the community level.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in public health, communication, behavioral science, social science, or a related field, which is essential. A postgraduate or Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) is also required. Specialized training in disease surveillance and field epidemiology is considered an asset and is desirable for candidates applying for this role.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in public health. This experience should include a strong background in field epidemiology, particularly in advising training programs in resource-limited settings. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of designing and implementing visibility products and communication materials that effectively showcase program impacts. Experience in developing guiding documents at both national and international levels is also essential, along with a background in community-level engagement and response to health emergencies.

Languages:
Excellent writing, reporting, communication, and editing skills in English are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the communities served by the Pandemic Fund initiatives.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and is subject to local recruitment. The salary for this role is set at BDT 159,996.00 (SSA – 8, Step I), which is non-negotiable. WHO offers a locally competitive benefits package, including insurance, leave, and holidays as per WHO rules. The vacancy notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level, and only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. A written test and interviews may be part of the screening process. Candidates are required to provide scanned copies of their educational qualifications in advance if retained for an interview. WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and all members of the workforce are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards.