Consultant – Epidemiologist

• Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: WHO 
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-01-17

Purpose of the Consultancy

This consultancy will support the strengthening and preparedness for emergencies following lessons learned from the COVID-19 surveillance system strengthening and COVID-19 response in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. The consultant will support the preparation for Joint External Evaluation in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam later in 2024. The consultant will support the international health regulation focal person at the WHO Country Office in Malaysia.

Background

The WHO continues to compile and analyse data on SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease for multi-source surveillance, trend analysis, modelling and projections and monitoring and evaluating programme data for action. The WHO Country Office requires the expertise of an Epidemiologist for continued provision of technical support to the Ministries of Health with ongoing and planned activities across WHE programmatic areas as the regular staff is on maternity leave.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date:    15 February 2024
End date:    14 August 2024

Deliverables

Under the technical guidance of the WHO Representative and related technical units at WHO Regional Office in the Western Pacific and Headquarters, the Consultant will work with various Ministries in the Government of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, non-government organizations, academic institutions, the United Nations and other development partners.

The WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore with support of the Director RED, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, will provide strategic direction and mentoring. He/She will also be part of the country office programme budget planning, proposal development, implementation and monitoring implementation of the work plan to prevent risk factor and enhance management of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.

Activities and output/s:

The Consultant is expected to perform the following terms of references:

Output 1: Enhance preparedness for public health emergencies of countries (Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore) by incorporating lessons learned during COVID-19 to better protect the people during emergencies and aligned to the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework. 

•  Deliverable 1.1: Function as country office WHE focal point and reporting of COVID-19 and other emergency situations and responding to queries.
•  Deliverable 1.2: Enhancement of communications for public health emergencies by strengthening communications for outbreak preparedness

Output 2: Strengthen surveillance of countries (Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore) including disease and lab surveillance and utilizing surveillance data for decision-making during outbreaks

•  Deliverable 2.1: Data analysis of epidemiological data based on multi-source surveillance and other essential health information for risk assessment and decision-making.
•  Deliverable 2.2: Receive health emergency related reports to monitor COVID-19 and other health emergency situations and make recommendations for actions.
•  Deliverable 2.3: Support the International Health Regulations (IHR) focal person at the WHO Country Office.
•  Deliverable 2.4: Create information products such as COVID-19 and any event/s on emergency situation reports, technical/policy briefs, presentation slides, and charts for MYS, BRN, and SGP when required.

Output 4: Conduct AMR-related activities through strengthening surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control, awareness-raising, evidence-based policies and practices using the One Health Approach.

•    Deliverable 4.1: Coordination and implementation of the country work plan for Malaysia supported by EU Regional Tripartite AMR Project across all relevant sectors.
•    Deliverable 4.2: Initiatives to support coordination and collaboration on AMR surveillance from human, animal and environmental health sector

Output 5: Prepare Joint External Evaluations for Brunei and Malaysia scheduled for the second half of 2024.

•    Deliverable 5.1: Preparations for Joint External Evaluations, after actions reviews and development of action plans (e.g., National Action Plans for Health Security)
•    Deliverable 5.2: Design and delivery of trainings, SIMEX and/or tabletop exercises.

Qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge, and languages

Qualifications required:

Essential:
Postgraduate degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health sciences or its equivalent.

Experience required:

Essential:
Minimum of five years of international experience in disease surveillance and/or control of acute public health events.

Desirable:
Experience in disease surveillance such as COVID-19 is an asset. International studies and experience in international work experience are an asset.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Proficient in standard MS Offfice software applications, knowledge of STATA or Epi Information

Language requirements:

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset

Competencies

– Teamwork
– Diplomacy
– Producing results
– Ensuring effective use of resources
– Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Place of assignment

The consultancy will be carried out at the WHO Country Office in Cyberjaya, Malaysia

Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.  Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

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