Purpose of the consultancy
The incumbent will support WHOโs Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) Pacific Health Security and Communicable Diseases (PSC) to effectively manage sub-national, national, and sub-regional surveillance data and health information; to effectively implement and report on strategic and operational preparedness and response actions for health security priorities in the Pacific; and to rigorously document and analyze emergency data for targeted public health response actions.
Background
The Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) of the World Health Organization (WHO) assists 21 Pacific Island countries and areas (PICs) in strengthening health security through the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) core capacities. The existence of emerging and remerging public health threats, Epidemic and pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for effective and up-to-date public health surveillance and response plans to detect potential health threats, monitor disease mortality and morbidity, and guide prevention and control measures. WHO, in collaboration with the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN), have supported surveillance of public health priorities through EWARS (Early Warning, Alert, and Response System) management of the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance System, Hospital-Based Active Surveillance, and monitoring novel virus.ย
The consultant will play a key role in providing technical assistance in EWARS enhancing data management systems and supporting evidence-based decision-making in the Pacific Islands. The position involves the creation, maintenance, and utilization of databases to ensure the efficient collection, storage, analysis, and dissemination of data. The role supports multiple sectors, including health, environment, and socio-economic development, ensuring data-driven approaches to regional challenges.
Deliverables
Objective 1: Provide technical assistance to EWARS surveillance:
Collaborate with the EWARS HQ technical team to ensure regional implementation aligns with global standards and protocols. Sustain the development and customization of EWARS modules to address the specific needs of the Pacific Islands, including health surveillance and disaster response. Provide technical guidance to stakeholders on the integration of EWARS with existing health information systems. Conduct system assessments to identify gaps and propose enhancements for effective outbreak detection and response. Facilitate data reporting and alert generation in line with regional and international requirements.Objective 2: Strengthen data analysis and reporting:
Perform advanced data analytics using statistical software and machine learning techniques where applicable. Develop interactive dashboards and data visualizations tailored to stakeholders, ensuring insights are easy to interpret. Contribute to evidence-based decision-making by providing timely analytical reports on health, environment, or socio-economic indicators. Develop easy-to-follow training presentation on EWARS to national surveillance teams. Monitor progress and provide follow-up support to build confidence and expertise among local staff.Objective 3: Strengthening collaboration and networking
Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and local, regional, and international partners for data-related initiatives. Collaborate with stakeholders to align database structures with existing regional data systems (e.g., health management information systems or disaster monitoring tools). Participate in regional data forums to represent the organizationโs data initiatives and share best practices.Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:
Essential:
Bachelorโs degree in information management, data science, computer science, public health, statistics, or related field. Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, ArcGIS).Desirable:
Knowledge of API integrations for data exchange across systems. Understanding of data warehousing concepts and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes.Experience:
Essential:
Desirable:
Hands-on expertise on API integrations for data exchange across systems. Extensive insight of data warehousing concepts and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes. Proficiency of cybersecurity protocols and encryption techniques for secure data handling.Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:
Essential:
Ability to work rapidly and efficiently in fast paced, complex environments. Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and advocate consensus. Excellent presentation/facilitation skills, and strong formal public speaking skills. Advanced ability to design, manage, analyze, and coordinate complex information system projects, computer-based applications and databases, web-based tools. High level of analytical skills. Ability to manage multiple, complex tasks with limited direct supervision. Knowledge of WHO mandate and goals or experience in UN Organizations, international institutions or NGOs is considered an asset.Languages:
Expert knowledge of spoken and written English is essential.
Intermediate knowledge of French (is an asset).
Location:
On site: Suva, Fiji.
Travel:
There is no plan for travel at the moment; however, the consultant might be expected to travel on a case-by-case basis.
Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded):
Remuneration:ย Payband level NOB
Duration: 5 months (with the possibility of extension based on available funding)
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. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.ย 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.ย 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 ย 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.