Job Advertisement

Position Title: Consultant for South Africa EPR Hub
Location: Pretoria
Country: South Africa
Deadline Date:

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. With over 7,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, WHO plays a crucial role in coordinating Global Health responses and providing technical assistance to countries. The organization focuses on various health issues, including Disease Prevention, Health Systems strengthening, and Emergency preparedness and response.

Job Overview:
The consultant position is a six-month contract aimed at providing technical expertise to support the establishment of the Southern African Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Regional Hub and Center of Excellence for research, innovation, and laboratory work. This role is critical in addressing the increasing number of Health Emergencies in the African region, which often overwhelm health systems and disrupt essential services. The consultant will coordinate activities to operationalize the EPR hub, ensuring that it effectively supports member states in their preparedness and response efforts to public health emergencies. The consultant will work closely with key stakeholders, including government officials, WHO representatives, and other partners, to facilitate the establishment of the hub and implement initial activities as guided by the EPR hub Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Supporting and facilitating preparatory arrangements for the establishment of the South Africa EPR hub.
• Setting up appointments and attending meetings with key stakeholders, documenting discussions, and following up on actions.
• Preparing weekly status updates and monthly progress reports for the WHO Representative and relevant focal points in AFRO.
• Liaising with technical officers to support the implementation of initial activities of the EPR hub.
• Ensuring timely implementation of priority activities outlined in the EPR hub establishment roadmap.
• Engaging with stakeholders to clarify roles and responsibilities of government, WHO, and partners.
• Assessing the structure, process, capacity, resources, and effectiveness of EPR hub activities.
• Developing a plan of action to enhance emergency preparedness and response capacities.
• Securing key documents critical to the establishment of the EPR hub. 1
• Developing the weekly Influenza Bulletin for publication and distribution. 1
• Supporting the implementation of respiratory pathogen preparedness activities. 1
• Assisting with all other activities necessary for the operationalization of the EPR hub. 1
• Performing additional duties as assigned by the supervisor. Key deliverables include a hub establishment plan of action for six months and a monthly progress report.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced degree in Public Health or Epidemiology at the master's or PhD level. A fellowship in Public Health, Epidemiology, or community health is desirable. Essential experience includes at least five years of international and/or national professional experience in WHO flagship projects, as well as experience in planning, developing, and implementing Disease Surveillance and response programs. Relevant work experience with national or provincial health departments in areas of surveillance and health Emergency Response is also essential. Desirable experience includes work with WHO or other UN agencies and recommendations from supervisors in relevant non-governmental organizations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Public Health or Epidemiology, with a master's or PhD level qualification being essential. A fellowship in related fields is considered an asset.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of professional experience, particularly in international or national contexts, focusing on WHO flagship projects and disease surveillance, response, and control programs. Experience with national health departments in surveillance and emergency response is crucial, while experience with WHO or UN agencies is desirable.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English is essential for this position. Experience working in developing contexts and familiarity with the South African health landscape are desirable.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is six months, with a total remuneration of $29,547 for the contract period. The position is expected to be full-time, and the consultant will be required to engage with various stakeholders to ensure the successful establishment of the EPR hub.