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Qualifications
Area of Expertise
National Consultant โ Influenza surveillance
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Purpose of consultancy
To support in the routine influenza surveillance work carried out by the Health Protection Agency in collaboration with the National Influenza Centre
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Background ย
This proposal aims to continue the support for the routine influenza surveillance work carried out by the Health Protection Agency in collaboration with the NIC. The national disease surveillance system is in the crucial stage of digitalization of data by adopting the DHIS 2 platform for influenza and communicable disease surveillance module. The main component of this request is to build capacity and maintain the human resources support to carryout surveillance activities in line with the Global influenza strategy (2019-30) in SEAR. Since 2022, through the National Influenza project, Maldives have been supported by WHO to implement influenza and pandemic preparedness activities.
The Project Officer will play a key role in supporting influenza surveillance activities, including managing the DHIS2 platform for the influenza and communicable disease surveillance module. The role will also involve contributing to pandemic preparedness initiatives, such as organizing atoll-level HEOC training workshops and conducting simulation exercises to test Hospital Emergency Response Plans. Additionally, the Project Officer will support the implementation of Risk Communication, Community Engagement, and Resilience plans.
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Terms of Reference
- Coordinate with sentinel sites (atoll hospitals and health centers) in collecting ILi and SARI data.
- Work closely in the implementation of the DHIS 2 platform for influenza and other communicable disease surveillance module. This includes the coordinating and supporting of training for the health facilities, troubleshooting of issues and coordination with the health facilities, HPA and HIMARD.
- Contribute to the maintenance of influenza and other respiratory pathogens database and analysis of data.
- Support in the implementation of the capacity-building training focused on pandemic preparedness and response, including the implementation of simulation exercises across the designated atolls. Travel as and when needed to enhance the sentinel surveillance as well as for simulation exercises.
- Support the organization and execution of the National Pandemic Preparedness & Response, and Surveillance Workshop.
- Support the MoH and relevant teams in the implementation of the Risk Communication, Community Engagement, and Resilience (RCCER) Plan, ensuring alignment with pandemic influenza preparedness goals.
- Support the organization in delivery of targeted RCCER training sessions to build capacity at all community levels for influenza preparedness & response.
- Aid with all initiatives aimed at strengthening pandemic preparedness and response capacities, enhancing national resilience and readiness, and overall strengthening of IHR Core capacities in emergency preparedness and response.
- Provide recommendations for strengthening data quality, timeliness, and analysis (as per WHO trainings and guidance).
- Contribute technically and otherwise, to all activities carried out in the PHPSE division.
- Submit track progress reports and financial reports as required Stellis User Guide โ Advertising Consultant Requisitions (1 October 2021)
- Regular reporting to CDC and WHO aligned with the requirements.
- Any additional work assigned by supervisors.
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Deliverables
- Maintained regular surveillance to detect and respond to outbreaks.
- Technical capacity on influenza surveillance, data management, and analysis enhanced.
- Ensure timely preparation and dissemination of results with the public health units every month.
- Sentinel site surveillance and reporting strengthened.
- Data from Sentinel sites maintained and reported timely and reported to relevant supervisors.
- Training programs for national health workers on influenza surveillance and response in addition to Emergency Preparedness and response conducted and supported.
- The implementation of simulation exercises to enhance preparedness and response capabilities supported.
- Reviewed and evaluated the national influenza surveillance system and overall Maldives surveillance system to identify areas for improvement.
- Recommendations for strengthening data quality, timeliness, and analysis and overall data area enhanced.
- Support during influenza outbreaks, including data analysis and risk assessment provided.
- Overall Emergency Preparedness and Response capacities enhanced.
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Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
Essential: Bachelorโs degree in management/project management, Primary Health Care, Public Health, Data management or Administration related field
Desirable: Masterโs degree in management/project management, Primary Health Care, Public Health, Data Management or Administration related field
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Experience
Essential: Minimum of 2-3 yearsโ experience in data management, documentation, project management, and training relevant to Public Health and/or related fields.
Desirable
- International experience in Project management and coordination.
- Experience working with government institutions and civil society organizations.
- Experience in data management and reporting.
- Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Experience or expertise in working at atoll and island level in coordination with HPA and WHO.
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Skills/Knowledge
- Fluent computer skills in MS Excel/MS Access/MS PowerPoint is a must.
- Familiarity with facilitating trainings and M&E is desirable.
- Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver of time along with excellent communication skills.
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Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced):
Excellent Fluency in spoken and written Dhivehi and English
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Location
Onsite at Health Protection Agency, Ministry of Health Maldives
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Travel
Travel maybe required as per the trainings and supervision and monitoring needs of the National Influenza Programme
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Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
Remuneration: MVR 22,500
Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited): n/a
Expected duration of contract: February 2025 (10 months)
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Additional Information
- This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
- If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
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- The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
- Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int.
- An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
- WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
- WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
- Please note that WHOโs contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
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- This assignment is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station/assignment location.