Consultant National Coordinator for the STEPS Survey

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, the WHO has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. The WHO aims to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health, focusing on health systems, disease prevention, and health promotion.

Job Overview:
The WHO office in Burundi is seeking to recruit a national consultant to coordinate the implementation of the STEPS Survey 2026-2027, which focuses on the risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The primary objective of this consultancy is to ensure the technical, operational, and administrative coordination of the survey to produce reliable, representative, and high-quality data on the prevalence of key risk factors for NCDs among the Burundian population aged 18 to 69 years. The consultant will be responsible for overseeing all activities related to the preparation, implementation, and finalization of the STEPS survey, ensuring compliance with protocols, quality procedures, and timelines, and contributing to the analysis and interpretation of survey results. Additionally, the consultant will develop a strategic note translating the main findings of the survey into operational and policy recommendations for the prevention and control of NCDs in Burundi.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• General Coordination: Oversee daily implementation of the survey, coordinate field teams, supervisors, and data managers, and liaise with the steering committee, technical committee, Ministry of Health, and involved partners.
• Survey Preparation: Ensure the acquisition of necessary administrative approvals, prepare and finalize training materials and operational documents, and contribute to logistical planning for the survey.
• Capacity Building: Organize and coordinate training for surveyors and supervisors, participate in training sessions, and evaluate team competencies.
• Implementation and Supervision: Organize field supervision missions, oversee data collection operations, ensure adherence to survey protocols and quality assurance procedures, identify challenges, and propose corrective measures.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Prepare periodic progress reports, regularly present survey progress to various committees, and monitor the roadmap and performance indicators.
• Analysis and Dissemination: Participate in the analysis and interpretation of results, contribute to drafting preliminary and final reports, disseminate results, and develop a strategic note based on survey findings.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires essential qualifications including a Doctor of Medicine degree and specialized training or a Master's degree in Public Health. Desirable qualifications include additional training in epidemiology, research methodology, biostatistics, or health program management. Candidates must have a minimum of five years of professional experience in public health in Burundi, demonstrated experience in coordinating public health projects, studies, or surveys, experience in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, a good understanding of the national health system, documented participation in research leading to at least one scientific publication, and a solid knowledge of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors. Desirable experience includes implementing a STEPS survey or a similar national survey and collaboration with WHO or another UN agency.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Doctor of Medicine degree and specialized training or a Master's degree in Public Health. Additional training in epidemiology, research methodology, biostatistics, or health program management is desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of professional experience in public health, particularly in Burundi. This includes demonstrated experience in project coordination, public health studies or surveys, data collection, analysis, and interpretation, as well as a good understanding of the national health system. Experience in research with documented publications is also required, along with knowledge of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors. Desirable experience includes working on a STEPS survey or similar national surveys and collaboration with WHO or other UN agencies.

Languages:
Essential languages include excellent proficiency in French and Kirundi. Desirable languages include a good knowledge of English and familiarity with Kiswahili.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is a national contract for a duration of three months, covering the entire STEPS survey. The consultant will be based in Bujumbura with regular travel required across the country for supervision, data collection monitoring, quality control missions, and technical meetings with stakeholders. The consultant will be compensated at the National Consultant level, Category C2, with an indicative monthly fee of BIF 10,455,41

• Payment will be structured with 25% upon contract signing and 75% after submission and validation of the final report. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States.