Consultant TDR – vector control, multi sectoral approach and country preparedness

Consultant TDR – vector control, multi sectoral approach and country preparedness – (2406213) 

Contractual Arrangement: External consultant

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 11 months

Job Posting

: Aug 13, 2024, 7:15:06 AM

Closing Date

: Aug 27, 2024, 9:59:00 PM

Primary Location

: Anywhere

Organization

: HQ/TDR Special Programme for TDR SCI

Schedule

: Full-time 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings. 

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Purpose of consultancy 

The purpose of this contract is to facilitate and contribute to: (i) the coordination and promotion of the Early Warning and Response System for dengue (EWARS-csd) implemented in 17 countries worldwide ,and promotion of community engagement and One Health approach for the early vector control response, (ii) the finalization of the handbook for vector control in urban setting facing yellow fever outbreak and (iii) the piloting and roll out of the Massive Open Online Course on Multi-sectoral approach for vector borne disease control. The consultant will work closely with the research for Implementation team (IMP) of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR).

Background

Several factors contribute to the rise of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) worldwide such as Climate Change, Rapid and uncontrolled urbanisation, Global travel and trade and Environmental changes such as deforestation and changes in water management, which create new aquatic habitats for vectors and increase the risk of transmission of VBDs. 

TDR is involved in different core activities in order to reduce threats associated to VBDs:

• Early warning and early response: In 2012, TDR led the design and testing of EWARS-csd (Early Warning and Response System for climate-sensitive diseases) in collaboration with the University of Freiburg, the University of Gothenburg, IT experts, and stakeholders from endemic partner countries in five WHO regions. Since then, TDR and the WHO’s Climate Change and Health Unit have been supporting countries for test piloting and implementing EWARS-csd, which aims to provide timely and accurate information to support locally preventive and adaptive actions that can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with climate-sensitive diseases such as dengue. Mexico is the first country which integrated this system into their national disease surveillance system (link with https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0001691). TDR currently supports a series of countries for piloting its use in dengue hotspots area (Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, India, and Thailand) and started preparatory work with Senegal, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. 
• Multisectoral approach (MSA): A multisectoral approach can significantly help reduce the threat of VBDs by involving stakeholders from relevant non-health sectors in the prevention and control efforts. TDR is leading the development of a Massive open online course (MOOC) on MSA to the control of vector-borne diseases. This MOOC needs to be piloted and rolled out.
• Vector control and community engagement: Engaging communities in vector control efforts is essential for effectively reducing vector-borne diseases (VBDs). A multisectoral approach can enhance community participation by involving local leaders, organizations, and residents in planning and implementing interventions, including vector control activities triggered by alerts from EWARS-csd and responses to Yellow fever outbreaks in urban settings. Promoting community engagement is particularly important in countries where EWARS-csd is being piloted. Collaboration with the Yellow Fever Unit is underway to develop a handbook aimed at strengthening community involvement in vector control activities related to Yellow fever. Initial efforts have been made in this regard and will require further enhancement.

Deliverables

• Early warning and early response system (EWARS-csd):
• Activity 1: contribute to the coordination of TDR activities for EWARS-csd implementation and integration in Health surveillance systems in the countries already piloting this predicting tool.
• Activity 2: Advise and train teams in Senegal, Burkina Faso and Nigeria for the calibration, piloting of EWARS-csd in sentinel sites and evaluation of its impact in terms of vector control workload reduction.
• Activity 3: Update EWARS-csd TDR webpage and specific web pages for promoting the progress made and research work conducted by each country.
• Activity 4: contribute to the collaboration of TDR and the Global Arboviral Initiative WHO team.
• Multi sectoral approach (MSA):
• Activity 1: Develop indicators to monitor and evaluate the use of the MOOC.
• Activity 2: facilitate the roll out of the use of this MOOC and monitor and evaluate the use of the MOOC as well as the impact on control and elimination of diseases of poverty.
• Activity 3: Work with the communication partner to develop promotional material for the launch of this training course.
• Vector control and community engagement:
• Activity 1: finalize the development of the Handbook on entomological investigations and vector control responses during urban yellow fever outbreaks in collaboration with the WHO’s Yellow fever Unit.
• Activity 2: contribute to the development and piloting of innovative strategies for engaging communities in vector control activities.
• Activity 3: update TDR webpages for promoting the work done in this field by TDR 

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications: 

Essential

• An advanced university degree (master’s level or above) in entomology or closely related subject

Desirable

• University degree at the PhD level in a health research related field relevant for the positio

Experience: 

Essential:

• A minimum of 5 to 10 years’ experience in working in vector borne diseases surveillance and control in a low- and middle-income setting.
• Demonstrated experience supporting research and capacity building activities in low- and middle-income settings.
• Demonstrated experience in multisectoral approach for vector borne disease control.
• Experience working in or with the WHO control programme and WHO regional/country offices, UN agencies or a health cluster member organization.
• Experience in community engagement for vector control. 
• Proven experience of supporting national disease control programme for surveillance and/or control of vector borne diseases. 
• Experience in managing multi-country public health projects.

Desirable:

• Experience in implementing EWARS-csd.
• Experience working on theme of vulnerable and/or migrant populations. 
• Experience working with the Yellow fever Unit and the Global Arbovirus Initiative of the WHO. 
• Field experience in Africa, Latin America, Southeast /West pacific regions

Skills: 

Essential:

• Sound knowledge of vector borne diseases surveillance and control measures. 
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems. 
• Ability to review and revise guidelines, handbook and scientific papers. 
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty. 
• Excellent drafting and written skills. 
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. 
• Team spirit and time management skills. 

Desirable:

• Knowledge on arbovirus diseases including yellow fever 

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.
• Expert knowledge of French

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of Spanish

Location: 

Off site: Home-based 

Travel 

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B: USD 7000 – 9,980 per month

Expected duration of contract:

11 months.

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.
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