Consultant - Infectious Respiratory Diseases

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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

To enhance the global preparedness and response capacity for infectious respiratory diseases through GISRS.

Background  

The Global Influenza Programme initiated the project to enhance global preparedness and response capacity for infectious respiratory diseases through GISRS and Public Health Intelligence. The project aims to strengthen the end-to-end integration of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in 27 countries across all six WHO regions with the use of RT PCR multiplex assays for influenza and SARS-CoV-2, build capacity for sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 viruses, and timely sharing of virologic and genetic data and meta-data on publicly accessible data platforms.

Deliverables

Output 1: Integration of influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses surveillance

• Activity 1.1: Provide technical guidance to National Influenza Centres and influenza laboratories in the use of multiplex RT PCR assays for influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses;
• Activity 1.2: Monitor weekly reporting of integrated influenza and SARS-CoV2 sentinel surveillance results to FluMart data platforms;
• Activity 1.3: Ensure adequate and timely procurement and supply of multiplex RT PCR kits, laboratory reagents, enzymes to participating laboratories;
• Activity 1.4: Provide advice to countries’ and closely monitor the end-to-end integration of surveillance Output 2: Consistent and timely of availability genetic sequence data (GSD) of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 from GISRS sentinel system and potential metadata in GISAID;

  Output 2: Consistent and timely of availability genetic sequence data (GSD) of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 from GISRS sentinel system and potential metadata in GISAID.

  • Activity 2.1: Maintain an updated profile of sequencing capacities of GISRS;
  • Activity 2.2:  Ensure adequate and timely procurement and supply of sequencing reagents to participating laboratories;
  • Activity 2.3: Monitor and evaluate the timeliness and consistency of sharing GSD of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 from GISRS and potential metadata in GISAID, develop timely correction measures and implement these measures.

    Output 3: Centres of Excellence for integrated surveillance of influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and next novel respiratory virus of pandemic potential along the development of GISRS Plus

    • Activity 3.1: Identify Centres of Excellence in support of GISRS Plus development; and assist in building capacities in these Centres strategically;
    • Activity 3.2: Contribute to the development of training programs of CoE related to GISRS Plus development including multiplex RT PCR, sequencing, bioinformatics, and other related areas;
    • Activity 3.3: Coordinate with the Centres of Excellence in providing training workshops including wet-lab trainings;
    • Activity 3.4: Facilitate networking opportunities, exchanges between participating laboratories and scientific dissemination.

      Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

      Educational Qualifications:

      Essential:

      Advanced university degree in public health preferably in microbiology, virology, public health.

      Desirable:

      PhD in virology

      Experience

      Essential:

      5 to 10 years of relevant experience with influenza virologic surveillance, including integration of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 surveillance

      📌 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀? 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗣 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 ✔

      ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

      Desirable:

      Experience with WHO or another UN or international public health agency

      Skills/Knowledge:

      • Excellent writing and communications skills
      • Knowledge in laboratory practices

        Languages required:

        Essential:  

        Expert knowledge of English

        Desirable : 

        Intermediate knowledge of another WHO official language

        Location 

        Off-site: Home based

        Travel 

        The consultant is not expected to travel 

        Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

        Remuneration:

        Pay Band level B – (USD 7,000 - 9,980) per month

        Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

        N/A

        Expected duration of contract: 

        11 months (01/09/2022 to 31/07/2023) 

        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.
        • WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
        • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
        • Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
        • 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 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 final candidates.
        • Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
        • WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever 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 in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
        • Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html