Purpose of the Consultancy
To recruit a short-term consultant (STC) to support the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE) and the National Immunization Program (NIP) in planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) Surveillance activities and outbreak response activities. ย
Background
The WHO Lao PDR Country Office will contract a national consultant for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) Surveillance. This consultant will work under the supervision of the Lao PDR WHO Country Office, in coordination with National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE) and National Immunization Program (NIP). ย The primary objective of this position is to support NCLE and NIP in improving the quality and sensitivity of the surveillance for Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) and Acute Fever and Rash (AFR) and other VPDs surveillance at the national and sub-national levels. The consultant will also support implementation of routine immunization activities during the contract period.ย
Deliverables
Under the supervision of the VDI Team Leader and guidance of the WHO Representative of Lao PDR, the STC will be required to perform the following duties:ย
Output 1: Quality and sensitivity of AFP/AFR and other VPDs surveillance improved.
Deliverable 1.1: Main indicators of AFP/AFR and other VPDs are achieved at national, province and district levels.
Deliverable 1.2: All reported AFP/AFR and other VPDs cases are investigated, specimens collected and follow up done for due cases.ย
Deliverable 1.3: Silent provinces/districts reduced and gradually reach to no silent province/district.
Deliverable 1.4: Environmental surveillance (ES) functions well for detection of Polioviruses.
Deliverable 1.5: Establishment of concentration lab for ES.
Output 2: ย Capacity of national and sub-national surveillance staffs strengthened on VPDs surveillance.
Deliverable 2.1: Surveillance guidelines, SOPs and job aids are available / finalized and distributed along relevant units. Training materials prepared, support given to NCLE in conducting training at national, province, district, health facility and community levels.ย
Deliverable 2.2: National/Provinces/Districts/Health facilities/Community surveillance officers and focal points are conducting regular active case search for AFP/AFR and other VPDs.ย
Deliverable 2.3: Support NCLE in AFP/AFR and other VPDs surveillance training for national, provincial, district health facility and community surveillance officers and focal points.
Output 3: ย AFP/AFR and other VPDs Surveillance data management and use for decision making.
Deliverable 3.1: Main surveillance indicators are analysed and interpreted regularly, feedback given to concerned units and appropriate actions are taken based on the findings.
Deliverable 3.2: Data consistency of AFP/AFR and other VPDs case reports are checked from different data sources.ย
Deliverable 3.3: ย Regular performance review meetings conducted on AFP/AFR and other VPDs surveillance at national, province and district levels.
Output 4: Improve immunization coverage and quality of Outbreak Responses.
Deliverable 4.1: Immunization coverage enhanced with Penta3 โฅ 90% nationally and โฅ80% in every district.
Deliverable 4.2: Conduct risk assessment bi-annually to identify high risk areas / districts for AFP/AFR and other VPDs surveillances.
Output 5: Enhance national and sub-national coordination for AFP/AFR and other VPDs surveillance.
Deliverable 5.1: Coordination meetings conducted with surveillance (VPDs), Immunization and implementing partners at national, province and district levels.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:ย
Essential: Postgraduate degree in public health from a recognized university.ย ย
Experience
Essential: At least 7 years of experience in public health is essential. Experience in vaccine preventable diseases surveillance or other disease surveillance is essential.ย
Desirable:ย Previous relevant work experience in World Health Organization (WHO) or nongovernmental and/or with regional or international organizations is desirable.
Skills/Knowledge:
Sound knowledge in the planning, implementation and evaluation of surveillance system. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct. ย
Languages and level required:
Essential: Excellent knowledge of spoken and written of Lao and English. ย
Knowledge of other local languages is a plus
Locationย
On site: Vientiane, Lao PDR
Travelย
The consultant is expected to travel. ย ย
Remuneration and budgetย
Remuneration: TBD
Expected duration of contract: 6 months, July to December 2025
Additional Information:
โข ย ย This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
โข ย ย Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
โข ย ย A written test may be used as a form of screening.
โข ย ย 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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โข ย ย 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.
โข ย ย 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.
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โข ย ย Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.ย
โข ย ย 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.
โข ย ย 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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