EWARN Consultant (Roster)

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Qualifications

  Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise to the Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) Unit of the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) Programme to strengthen the Early Warning, Alert and Response Network (EWARN) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).

The consultant will focus on the preparation of the EWARN package, development of documentation, delivery of training, and advancing interoperability across surveillance systems. The work will also explore integration of climate and health data to support predictive modeling for epidemic risk.

The expected outcome is to ensure that EMR countries have a standardized, well-documented, and interoperable EWARN package, with trained national and regional focal points capable of implementing and sustaining the system.

Background

The WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) works with Member States to detect, assess, and respond to public health threats. In complex emergencies, EWARN is a critical tool to ensure timely detection and response to epidemic-prone diseases.

EWARN has been implemented in several EMR countries to monitor outbreaks, support rapid response, and guide public health interventions. The increasing complexity of emergencies, coupled with climate-sensitive health risks, necessitates a standardized regional approach to EWARN that ensures:

·         Availability of well-documented system packages for rapid deployment.

·         Capacity building at national and regional levels.

·         Enhanced interoperability with other components of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR).

·         Exploration of climate and health data linkages for operational modeling.

Work to be performed:

The consultant will be responsible for the following outputs/deliverables:

Output 1: Preparation of the EWARN package

·         Deliverable 1.1: Configure a standardized package of tools, indicators, forms, and workflows for EWARN.

·         Deliverable 1.2: Develop metadata and templates that can be adapted for country use.

·         Deliverable 1.3: Pilot-test the package in a controlled environment.

Output 2: Documentation of the EWARN package

·         Deliverable 2.1: Prepare a technical guide on EWARN package deployment.

·         Deliverable 2.2: Develop user manuals and quick reference materials.

·         Deliverable 2.3: Document surveillance workflows, data flow processes, and quality assurance mechanisms.

Output 3: Capacity building and training

·         Deliverable 3.1: Design training modules for EWARN focal points.

·         Deliverable 3.2: Facilitate online and/or in-person training sessions for selected EMR countries.

·         Deliverable 3.3: Develop supporting materials such as FAQs, recorded demos, and troubleshooting guides.

Output 4: Interoperability and Climate–Health Integration

·         Deliverable 4.1: Develop a prototype demonstrating interoperability between EWARN and other IDSR components.

·         Deliverable 4.2: Create a regional demo showing integration of weather and climate data with EWARN surveillance data.

·         Deliverable 4.3: Prepare a technical proposal outlining next steps for linking EWARN data with the Climate and Health Analytical Platform (CHAP) to support operational epidemic risk modeling.

Specific requirements

Education

Essential:

Minimum first university degree for lower end of range, an advanced university degree for mid and high end of range in computer science, programming and or information technology from an accredited institution.

Desirable:

Post graduate certificate in Health Information Management Systems

Experience:

Essential:

5  to 10 years of experience in the design, the implementation and the management of DHIS2 applications

Previous experience in the implementation and the management of National Health Information Systems (NHIS).

Desirable:

Experience of working with UN organisations

Skills :

Essential:

Excellent knowledge of health information management system (HMIS) and technologies especially as they apply to public health

Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of EWARN/DHIS2 applications

Demonstrated ability to synthesise and work with feedback from a range of reviewers.

Sound analytical and organizational skills.

Proven ability to write in English in a clear and concise manner.

Language requirements:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English (Read–Write–Speak)

Desirable:

Intermediate knowledge of Arabic or French (Read–Write–Speak)

Place of assignment