Consultancy: Strengthening knowledge of WASH practitioners on Epidemiology and Data Collection Methods in Emergencies. Part-time, home-based with some travels.

UNICEF Office of Emergency Programmes in Geneva is looking for a part-time home based consultant to develop a self-online training and implement up to 5 workshops.

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The purpose of the consultancy is to strengthen the capacity of WASH practitioners (as the primary audience) working in emergencies on epidemiology and data collection methods, and support WASH and Health stakeholders to develop a joint approach to improve data collection methods in selected countries facing problematic epidemiological situations.

The objectives include:
1. The development of a reference self-on-line training on “Epidemiology and Data Collection Methods for WASH in Emergencies”, available in English, Arabic, French and Spanish.
2. The implementation of up to five workshops to support national WASH and Health partners to develop a joint approach for the improvement of outbreak data collection methods

Consultancy modality: home-based, part time, with up to 5 travels

Duration: up to 134 working days between May 2021 - April 2022

Reporting to: WASH cluster Coordinator

Scope of Work:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Global WASH Cluster and UNICEF have partnered since June 2017 to strengthen the knowledge of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practitioners on epidemiology and improve the relevance of the specific WASH sector response within the multi-sectoral response during public health emergencies. A one-week face-to-face training package on “Epidemiology and Data Collection Methods for WASH in Emergencies” was developed and implemented, targeting WASH staff working in humanitarian emergencies. The current training package includes presentations, case studies and a simulation exercise using epidemiological data collection methods. The core objective of this training is to build epidemiological capacity in the WASH sector and improve programming and response efforts.
The first pilot training was held in Uganda in November 2017 for the East Africa region. Refined trainings were implemented in Hungary in April 2018 for the Middle East region and in South Africa in October 2018 for the Southern and West African (Anglophone) countries, allowing to develop a consolidated training package. In cooperation with the IFRC, an additional training was to be implemented in Amman for the Yemen WASH and Health practitioners. This last training was unfortunately postponed because of the travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 situation.
As training is facilitated by CDC Epidemiologists, questions have arisen on the sustainability of the training. The Covid-19 crisis also raised questions about the format of the training and the best options to deliver it in the future. Reflexions were held about the creation of a Training of Trainers (ToT) package and/or the construction of an on-line distance training, incorporating lessons learned from past and other trainings, and developing a multi-language package.
The GWC, UNICEF and CDC are also partnering with the Institute for Water Education (IHE) to create an accredited module on Public and Environmental Health in Humanitarian contexts. This module is one of the 4 accredited modules of the Graduate Professional Diploma Programme (GPDP) hosted by IHE to further professionalize the provision of humanitarian WASH education. The GPDP is a key element of the GWC strategy to localize and scale-up the learning and training offers for the WASH sector, based on the current feasibility study led by IHE. The training package developed by CDC the GWC and UNICEF will be aligned with the GPDP programme and will be an essential element of the accredited module on Public and Environmental Health in Humanitarian contexts.
Recently, two similar global and regional initiatives have been developed to equip WASH and Health practitioners with foundational concepts on epidemiology concepts for humanitarian emergencies and inform their humanitarian work: 1) the Epidemiology and Modelling of Infectious Diseases in the Humanitarian Setting training developed and administered by the READY initiative, a USAID/BHA funded consortium of partners led by Save the Children; and 2) the multisectoral training package on Epidemiology, Preventive and Control Strategies during cholera epidemics, both in English and Arabic languages, developed by UNICEF Regional Office in Amman

The scope of work consists of five main aspects:

1. Review the one-week face-to-face training package material currently existing on “Epidemiology and Data Collection Methods for WASH in Emergencies” that was developed and already implemented by CDC, the GWC and UNICEF. This review should assess the appropriateness of the training, mainly for national and field WASH practitioners, reviewing feedback from professionals having participated in the training and from the training facilitators.

2. Develop the self-on-line training package on “Epidemiology and Data Collection Methods for WASH in Emergencies”. The initial package will be in English. The training should include a combination of theory, practical exercises, and case studies, be based on the CDC/GWC/UNICEF face-to-face training, and contains key topics such as: fundamentals of Epidemiology and basic statistics, essential elements of outbreak investigations, methods for data collection, self-learning knowledge tests, corrected exercises and simulations. References should be made to existing relevant education material (guidance, readings, videos…) to support the learning of the beneficiaries.

3. Upload the training and the educational material on on-line platform easily accessible to maximize the number of WASH practitioners having access to the training and ensure the sustainability of the offer. The training should be available on UNICEF platform (Agora) and CDC website, as well as on potentially other learning / humanitarian websites (such as Kaya for instance).

4. Organize up to five 3-days workshops with a problem-solving focus. The workshop will be region or country based and be implemented over 2021 and April 2022. They will be opened to Governments, UNICEF, national and international partners operating in countries and facing specific challenges in related to outbreaks preparedness and response, with a focus on waterborne diseases in humanitarian settings or among people affected by emergencies (commencing by cholera). Participant attending to the workshop will have followed the on-line training previously developed. At the end of the workshop participants will have establish a plan of action to improve epidemiological data collection in their countries. The location of the workshops and the selection of the practitioners will be done jointly with the GWC and UNICEF

Work Assignment Overview: 

Education/Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
• University degree, preferably at an advanced level, in a subject area relevant to epidemiology and/or WASH;
• Minimum number of years of relevant work experience: 8 years, with proven experience and knowledge in conducting field epidemiological activities such as population surveys, surveillance, and investigation of epidemics and proven experience in providing training programs and capacity to develop on-line trainings;
• Good communications skills and experience of training / workshop facilitation;
• Ability to manage the available time and resources and to work to tight deadlines, with minimal supervision;
• One example of similar work to be shared by the applicant;
• Fluency in English required. In addition, French, Spanish or Arabic would be a strong asset

How to apply:

Candidates meeting the requirements are asked to apply online and duly complete the online application. In addition, they need to provide the following:

- lump sum fee for the entire assignment (applications without a lump sum fee will not be considered)

- P 11 form (P11 supersedes the submitted CVs)

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.