Consultant - Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework and Influenza Surveillance, WPRO/WHE

Purpose of consultancy

This consultancy will provide technical support to the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), Country Health Emergency Preparedness and IHR (CPI) unit to develop regional health security activities to implement the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF). The consultancy will also support work under the Health Emergency Information & Risk Assessment (HIM) unit to strengthen national influenza surveillance in Mongolia.

Background

In 2023 the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF) was endorsed by Member States at the seventy-fourth session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific. APHSAF builds on eighteen years of biregional collaboration on health security through the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies, and also regional lessons and experiences gained from responding to major public health emergencies and pandemics.

Support is now needed to guide countries in the region on how to implement APHSAF to strengthen health security capacities in their own contexts. Countries also require support to plan for and operationalize recent amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) which will impact on the international governance of health security.

Surveillance is a core capacity of the IHR (2005) and contributes to the ‘Assess and Respond’ domain of APHSAF. In Mongolia, efforts are underway to build on and sustain gains made in respiratory pathogen surveillance made during COVID-19, and to integrate reporting into expanded global surveillance networks.

Deliverables

Output 1: Support development of APHSAF technical and communication documents (by 31 March 2025)

Deliverable 1.1: Development of APHSAF technical briefings and presentations.
Deliverable 1.2: Support finalisation of draft APSHAF Implementation Guide.
Deliverable 1.3: In coordination with Communications Unit, develop APHSAF advocacy and content and products.
Deliverable 1.4: Support planning and development of technical content for APHSAF community of practice.

Output 2: Coordinate regional support to countries to prepare to operationalise IHR (2005) amendments (by 31 March 2025)

Deliverable 2.1: Coordinate topics and issues for support from country requests.
Deliverable 2.2: Work with WHO colleagues at Regional and HQ to develop policy briefings and guidance documents.
Deliverable 2.3: Support development of a policy paper on adoption of the IHR (2005) amendments, for submission to the seventy-sixth session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific.

Output 3: Work with Country Office Mongolia and regional HIM team to review national influenza surveillance in Mongolia (by 31 March 2025)

Deliverable 3.1: Conduct desk review of reporting systems and data to evaluate the timeliness and quality of reporting of influenza and other respiratory pathogens.
Deliverable 3.2: Develop recommendations to improve respiratory pathogen surveillance, taking into account participation in global networks such as GISRS.

Output 4: Progress reporting (by 31 March 2025)

Deliverable 4.1: Submit monthly progress reports
Deliverable 4.2: Submit a technical report at the end of consultancy.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree in public health, epidemiology, social science or a related area from a recognized university.
Desirable: Additional professional training/specialization in health systems, health security, public health emergency management or a related area.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of relevant experience at national and international level in public health and/or public health emergency management.
Desirable: Previous experience with WHO or other UN agencies. Previous international experience in public health emergency response, communicable disease control or related areas is an advantage.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Motivated, highly organized, critical thinker with strong analytical skills.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English.
• Ability to work productively independently and in a team with diverse collaborators.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Attention to detail.

Languages and level required:

English (Advanced)

Location

Off site: Remote consultancy

Travel

Travel to the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office and countries in the region may be requested.

Remuneration and budget:

Remuneration: Band B; USD 7,000 – 8,000 per month
Expected duration of contract: 6 months, expected start date of 1 October 2024

Additional Information:

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