PHI Tool Development 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 works to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health. The organization focuses on various health issues, including disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and emergency response, among others.

Job Overview:
The PHI Tool Development Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the Public Health Intelligence (PHI) initiative across the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This consultancy aims to operationalize the regional PHI Community of Practice and facilitate the expansion of PHI implementation to additional countries. The consultant will be responsible for following up on activities from Phase 1 of the PHI project, ensuring continuity of technical support, and assisting with the deployment of Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS). The role requires a strong background in public health and epidemiology, with a focus on disease surveillance systems, to effectively contribute to the ongoing efforts in enhancing public health intelligence in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key deliverables, including: 1) Supporting and enhancing the Regional Public Health Intelligence (PHI) Community of Practice by updating and implementing a workplan, organizing virtual sessions with PHI focal points, and developing summary notes after key sessions. 2) Providing continued technical guidance to Phase 1 countries on PHI implementation and facilitating its expansion to additional countries, which includes offering technical follow-up, guidance for training, and ensuring proper documentation of progress and challenges. 3) Facilitating partnership coordination and stakeholder engagement for PHI implementation by developing partnership documents, coordinating engagement meetings, and preparing for regional or country-level PHI activities. The consultant will need to ensure that all activities are well-documented and that key achievements and recommendations are clearly communicated to stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in Health Science, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related field. Additionally, they should have 5 to 10 years of professional experience in public health and epidemiology, with specific expertise in disease surveillance systems. Experience in implementing or managing health surveillance systems in humanitarian or resource-limited settings is essential, as is previous work with the United Nations or other international organizations. Strong knowledge of PHI frameworks and WHO guidelines for public health emergencies is also required, along with skills in stakeholder engagement and technical writing.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in Health Science, Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related field is mandatory for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of public health initiatives and the technical aspects of disease surveillance systems.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have between 5 to 10 years of professional experience in public health and epidemiology. This experience should include specific expertise in disease surveillance systems and a demonstrated ability to implement or manage health surveillance systems, particularly in challenging environments such as humanitarian or resource-limited settings. Previous experience working with international organizations, especially within the United Nations system, is highly valued.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is required at an expert level (Read - Write - Speak) for effective communication, report writing, and training delivery. Proficiency in Arabic at an intermediate level or higher is desirable, as it may be beneficial for the regional application of Early Warning Alert and Response Network (EWARN) systems in humanitarian settings.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 5 months, and the consultant will work remotely, with no travel required. The remuneration is set at Band level B. Candidates should be aware that 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, and a written test may be used as part of the screening process. Candidates selected for an interview will need to provide scanned copies of their educational qualifications. WHO emphasizes 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 adhere to the highest ethical standards.