Consultant, Epidemiology and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Yellow Fever)

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Position Title: Consultant, Epidemiology and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Yellow Fever)
Location: Yaoundé
Country: Cameroon
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

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 has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. It operates in over 150 countries and has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. WHO's primary goal is to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health, which includes addressing health emergencies, improving health systems, and promoting health equity.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in strengthening the capacity for epidemic preparedness, detection, and response in Cameroon, particularly focusing on yellow fever. This position is part of a broader strategy aimed at eliminating yellow fever epidemics globally, with specific objectives to protect at-risk populations, prevent international disease spread, and ensure rapid outbreak containment. The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Health to develop national guidelines for urban epidemic preparedness and evaluate the WHO's preliminary guide for urban yellow fever preparedness. This involves facilitating workshops, synthesizing group actions, and coordinating the finalization of national directives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Familiarizing themselves with the 2024 version of the WHO guide and participating in a briefing with WHO HQ.
• Researching and collecting relevant information and documents for developing national guidelines for urban yellow fever preparedness.
• Assisting health authorities in identifying stakeholders involved in yellow fever epidemic preparedness and response.
• Preparing and facilitating workshops for developing national guidelines and evaluating the WHO guide.
• Synthesizing proposed actions from workshop groups across seven thematic areas: Coordination, Surveillance, Communication, Clinical Management, Vaccination, Vector Control, and Points of Entry.
• Coordinating the finalization of urban yellow fever preparedness and response guidelines.
• Providing feedback on the 2024 WHO guide for urban yellow fever risk management.
• Delivering a final report at the end of the contract.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a postgraduate degree in health sciences, public health, epidemiology, or a related field, along with formal training in epidemiology. Desirable qualifications include additional training in epidemiology. Candidates should possess strong knowledge and understanding of epidemic preparedness and response operations, proven skills in developing guidelines or emergency management documents, and the ability to manage and analyze public health data. Excellent communication and presentation skills, as well as proficiency in using computer tools and software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint, are also essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a postgraduate degree in health sciences, public health, epidemiology, or a related field. Formal training in epidemiology is essential, while additional training in the same field is desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least seven years of relevant experience at the national or international level in epidemiology, surveillance, or public health emergency preparedness and response. Familiarity with emergency situations and experience working with UN agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, or CDC is desirable.

Languages:
Candidates must be proficient in English or French, both orally and in writing, and have practical knowledge of the other language.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy may be used to identify candidates for other similar positions at the same level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test may be part of the screening process. Candidates selected for an interview must provide scanned copies of required degrees or certificates in advance. WHO emphasizes workforce diversity and encourages applications from women and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization maintains a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or tobacco users. WHO has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct. Consultants will work as independent contractors and will be responsible for their own taxes and contributions.