National Consultant - Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARIs) Assessment

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 in more than 150 countries, WHO works in various areas including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, health systems, and emergency response. The organization operates in multiple countries, providing technical assistance and support to national health systems, particularly in response to health emergencies and outbreaks.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to conduct an assessment of the implementation results of a model for early and intensified diagnosis of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARIs) in Quang Ninh, Vietnam. This position is crucial as Vietnam has faced numerous outbreaks of infectious diseases, including SARIs, which have significantly impacted the healthcare system. The consultant will evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot model, identify gaps, and provide evidence to support the national scale-up of the model to other provinces. The role involves collaboration with the WHO Country Office and Hanoi Medical University, focusing on improving healthcare practices and patient outcomes related to SARI management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key activities, including:

• Reviewing existing evidence and developing evaluation tools, which involves analyzing the 2025 implementation report and related documents of the SARI pilot model in Quang Ninh Province.
• Developing an evaluation framework and methodology to assess the effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of the pilot model.
• Designing data collection tools such as questionnaires and interview guides for healthcare workers and facilities.
• Conducting a field assessment of one provincial hospital and selected sub-regional hospitals to evaluate the implementation and performance of the pilot model.
• Assessing referral practices, clinical management, and patient outcomes following referrals from sub-regional hospitals to the provincial hospital.
• Evaluating the overall impact of the interventions on case management across the provincial healthcare network.
• Generating evidence on the effectiveness and sustainability of the pilot model to support scalable approaches for improving SARI diagnosis and management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in medicine, public health, infectious diseases, or a relevant field. A postgraduate training or specialization in infectious diseases is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in infectious diseases or emergency medicine, specifically in SARI case management. Demonstrated experience in surveillance, study design, implementation, and evaluation for communicable diseases is essential. Previous work experience with WHO, the Ministry of Health, and public hospitals in Vietnam is considered an advantage. Advanced knowledge in emerging infectious diseases, SARI, and emergency medicine is required.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in medicine, public health, infectious diseases, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification or specialization in infectious diseases is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise in the relevant area.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in infectious diseases or emergency medicine, particularly in managing SARI cases. This experience should include involvement in surveillance, study design, implementation, and evaluation of communicable diseases, demonstrating a solid understanding of the healthcare landscape and challenges in Vietnam.

Languages:
Fluency in Vietnamese is essential, as the consultant will be working within the local healthcare system. Proficiency in English, both spoken and written, is also required to facilitate communication with international stakeholders and to produce reports and documentation in English.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted on a part-time basis over a duration of 2 months, totaling 20 working days. The consultant will work offsite but is expected to travel to Quang Ninh Province for field assessments. The remuneration for this consultancy is set at USD 170 per day, excluding travel costs. The position may also serve as a basis for identifying candidates for similar consultancies at the same level. Candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test may be part of the screening process. It is important for candidates to provide scanned copies of their relevant degrees and certifications, as WHO only recognizes qualifications from accredited institutions. WHO emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals from underrepresented member states.