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Qualifications
Area of expertise:
International Consultant - Learner-centered field epidemiology training & multisource collaborative surveillance
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Purpose of consultancy:
The consultant will 1) support implementation of regional roadmap to advance field epidemiology capacities in WHO South-East Asia Region 2025-2029, 2) provide technical assistance in strengthening field epidemiology capacities in Sri Lanka, incorporating One Health approach, and 3) support further development of multisource collaborative surveillance by development of the training package and the tools.
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Background ย
Implementation of the Regional roadmap to advance field epidemiology capacities in WHO South- East Asia Region 2025-2029
Among the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, many Member States expressed the crucial importance of the field epidemiology workforce as key components of health security systems, while countries also suggested the need for more trained epidemiologists to effectively cope with public health threats.
The Regional Roadmap to advance field epidemiology capacities in the WHO South-East Asia Region 2025โ2029 was developed through consultation with the Member States and partners in the WHO South-East Asia Region. This Roadmap encourages Member States to embed the field epidemiology training programme (FETP) into the broader health system strengthening efforts. The roadmap also calls for strengthening the quality of the field epidemiology capacity-building programme and adopting learner-centered training approaches. Another important goal of this roadmap is to foster regional cooperation in further advancing field epidemiology and public health workforce capacities.
It is important for SEARO to maintain momentum to roll-out this Regional Roadmap, facilitating the Member States. The proposed consultancy will support selected priority actions of the roadmap, especially in advancing the regional cooperation, improving training approaches and strengthening One Health approach in FETP.
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Field epidemiology capacity strengthening in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has established a distinctive in-service training system to build national epidemiology capacity. Led by the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, the program offers a residential field epidemiology training course for Regional Epidemiologists and Medical Officers of Health (MOHs).
The curriculum currently aligns with core principles of applied epidemiology but is undergoing review to ensure closer alignment with internationally recognized FETP standards. Sri Lanka aims to update and refine the training structure and content, strengthening its foundation and expanding its scope to meet evolving public health challenges.
In addition, Sri Lanka also plans to strengthen One Health approach in field epidemiology training, incorporating the competency for One Health field epidemiology (COHFE) framework, to strengthen field epidemiology capacities to address risks at human, animal, and environment interface.
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Multisource collaborative surveillance
Managing health security threats require critical decision-making despite many uncertainties. One of the key lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other severe emergencies was that decision making needs to be informed by synthesis of multiple sources of information. However, gathering and synthesizing information from different sources are not always easy in many countries.
To address these challenges, the regional strategic documents โ such as the Strategic framework for action for strengthening surveillance, risk assessment and field epidemiology for health security threats in the WHO South-East Asia Region - strongly advocated the use of multiple sources of information for decision-making, or advancing multi-source collaborative surveillance (MSCS), as part of countriesโ efforts to strengthen health security systems in the Region.
To operationalize the concept of MSCS into practice, SEARO has developed a regional manual โInforming Public Health Decision-Making with Multisource Collaborative Surveillance: A Step-by- Step Approachโ (working draft). Indonesia and Nepal took initiatives to implement MSCS. To further support countries to advance MSCS, needs to build analytics capacities of the workforce and tools to review the performance of the MSCS have been recognized.
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Deliverables
Implementation of the Regional roadmap to advance field epidemiology capacities in WHO South-East Asia Region 2025-2029
Plan, organize and support regional-level virtual forum to facilitate exchange of field epidemiology learning approaches and innovative learning methods through stakeholder engagement and consultations. This may include facilitating discussions at a regional FETP meeting.
Lead one or two Learning-Learning Workshops (training workshop to introduce adult education and experiential learning methods into field epidemiology training) โdepending on country situation โincluding providing guidance and professional development to WHO staff, consultants, and Member State public health professionals who may act as co-facilitators.
Provide support for the Regional Officeโs Global Laboratory Leadership Program (GLLP) initiative by serving as lead facilitator and support the development of training content material and training guidance manual(s).
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DeliverableLearning-Learning Workshop training reports: Expected by 31 October 2025ย
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Field epidemiology capacity strengthening in Sri Lanka
Facilitate and provide strategic and technical input on the development of a National Action Plan for Building Field Epidemiology Capacity in Sri Lanka.
Provide technical advice and support for the development of a field epidemiology mentoring network.
Design and deliver two Learning-Learning (TOT) workshops to build the capacity of medical officer for health and public health inspector trainers to design and deliver training using adult and experiential learning methods.
Develop field epidemiology learning modules for in-service supplementary training for medical officer for health, public health inspectors, and regional epidemiologists.
Provide strategic and technical advice on the development of Center for Disease Control (CDC) Sri Lanka to align with public health workforce strengthening efforts.
Provide strategic and technical advice on approaches for evaluation of surveillance, as guided by the international and regional frameworks.
Develop a plan for the adaptation of the COHFE framework into the existing FETP starting from the review of the existing program, identification of implementation priorities, and development of implementation plan.
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Deliverable
ย Final draft of the field epidemiology learning modules for in-service supplementary training for medical officer for health, public health inspectors, and regional epidemiologists: - Expected by 30 November 2025ย
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Multisource collaborative surveillance (MSCS)
Design and develop draft MSCS analysis training package focusing on the triangulation and analysis of multisource data.
Develop a draft manual for holistic performance review for MSCS with the scope to assess functionality of synthesizing different surveillance data for improved decision-making.
Support HIM/SEARO in initiating and facilitating regional community of practice for public health intelligence and epidemic intelligence from open sources.
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DeliverablesDraft manual for holistic performance review for MSCS with the scope to assess functionality of synthesizing different surveillance data for improved decision-making: Expected by 20 November 2025
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Reporting
Deliverables
ย Monthly brief progress reports
End-of-the-assignment technical report
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Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:ย ย
Essential: Advanced university degree (master level or above) in public health, epidemiology, medicine, or other relevant health sciences
Desirable: Specialization in health education.
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Experience ย
Essential:
Over 10 years of experience working for public health surveillance, field epidemiology or response for diseases of epidemic and pandemic potential, and/or acute public health events (not just for a single disease programme).
Demonstrated experience in advising field epidemiology training programmes and training field epidemiologists in multiple countries, including resource-limited countries.
Demonstrated experience in developing international guiding documents.
At least seven years of experience working with a national public health institute or international public health organizations.
Experience working with ministries of health of resource-limited countries for surveillance, FETP, outbreak investigation or risk assessment.
Desirable:
Experience working with the WHO Health Emergencies Programme.
Experience designing and delivering training programmes on adult education methods for field epidemiologists or field epidemiology trainers.
Experience working in Sri Lanka.
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Skills/Knowledge:
Excellent facilitation skills and andragogical and experiential learning approaches to training in public health professionals.
Advanced knowledge and skills related to field epidemiology.
Good understanding of FETP in resource-limited settings, especially in the Asian context.
Advanced ability for training/capacity building for Member States in disease surveillance and field epidemiology.
Advanced understanding on multisource collaborative surveillance.
Excellent presentation and communication skills, including writing skills, in simple and clear language.
Proven ability to work in a team and produce results under time pressure.
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Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):
Essential: Expert knowledge of English
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Location:
Onsite for insurance purpose
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Travel:ย
The consultant is expected to travel to several locations to undertake the duties.
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Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):