Consultant for Polio Response

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 works to combat diseases, improve health systems, and respond to health emergencies. The organization is committed to achieving universal health coverage and ensuring that all people can access essential health services without facing financial hardship.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Polio Response will play a crucial role in supporting Guinea's efforts to combat the poliovirus epidemic and enhance surveillance activities in high-risk districts with low vaccination performance. This position is vital for maintaining the momentum of polio surveillance and response activities, ensuring that the strategies implemented are effective and sustainable. The consultant will work under the general supervision of the WHO Representative in Guinea, with technical oversight from the GPEI Coordinator and the National Administrator for Surveillance. The role requires a proactive approach to technical support, strategic document development, planning, and evaluation of public health activities related to polio response and surveillance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks including providing technical support to the Polio Operations Coordination Unit (COU), assisting in the development of strategic response documents, and supporting the planning and evaluation of all response and surveillance activities. The consultant will also provide technical assistance to consultants and the Ministry of Health for the early detection of suspected polio cases, support investigation and classification of all suspected cases, and contribute to data analysis and the preparation of scientific articles. Additionally, the consultant will participate in operational activity supervision, assist in planning and implementing mass vaccination campaigns against polio, and strengthen the capacity of deployed actors and Ministry of Health officials on polio. Other responsibilities include managing data and producing weekly SITRep reports, assisting the Ministry of Health in producing weekly epidemiological bulletins, and supporting the organization and participation in relevant meetings.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Doctorate degree in medicine as an essential qualification. A postgraduate qualification such as a Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Services Management, Biostatistics, or an equivalent field is desirable. The consultant should have a solid understanding of data management tools, geographic information systems (GIS), and electronic surveillance tools for polio. Additionally, strong writing skills for both strategic and operational health documents are required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Doctorate in medicine as a minimum requirement. A Master's degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Services Management, or Biostatistics is preferred and considered an asset for candidates.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least one year of experience working with polio programs in response situations as an essential requirement. Desirable experience includes a minimum of five years in fields related to epidemic response for diseases with epidemic potential, showcasing a strong background in public health emergency management.

Languages:
Fluency in French is essential for this position, as it is the primary language of communication. A good command of English at an intermediate level is desirable, along with proficiency in at least one national language, which would enhance communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as NO-A under the United Nations system and is offered as a Special Service Agreement (SSA). The consultant will be based in Conakry, Guinea. The vacancy notice may also be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test may be utilized as part of the screening process. Candidates selected for interviews will need to provide scanned copies of their required degrees and qualifications. WHO emphasizes diversity in its workforce and encourages applications from women and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization maintains a smoke-free environment and has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct.