Consultant – WHO Cholera Laboratory Capacity Assessments, Anywhere

Consultant

WHO Cholera Laboratory Capacity Assessments

( 2301026 )

Contractual Arrangement : External consultant

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 6 months

Job Posting: Feb 3, 2023, 11:27:04 AM

Purpose of consultancy

To design a laboratory capacity assessment framework including a methodology and all necessary tools and guidance, for countries affected by cholera and pilot assessments in the four countries of the Global Task Force for Cholera Control (GTFCC) Country Support Platform (CSP) including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Nigeria and Bangladesh.

Background

Currently available cholera surveillance data are insufficient to effectively progress towards cholera control and elimination as described in the objectives of the Global Roadmap to end cholera by 2030. The WHO cholera team and the Global Task Force for Cholera Control (GTFCC) have actively engaged in strengthening cholera surveillance by revising recommendations and guidelines. Enhancing cholera surveillance and in particular laboratory surveillance is a critical priority to rapidly detect and respond to outbreaks as well as to guide and adequately target cholera prevention and control strategies and monitor their impact. In alignment with the GTFCC Laboratory Working Group’s (LWG) target to strengthen laboratory capacity for cholera diagnostics, the mapping of laboratory capacities for cholera diagnostics and laboratory surveillance has been identified as critical in order to identify necessary resources to complement existing gaps and needs. The identification and mapping of eventual weaknesses will improve targeting of multisectoral interventions within cholera hotspots including of laboratory focus. Additionally, the data provided from the assessments will inform other critical activities of the LWG such as an initiative to enhance and promote strategic and widescale use of Rapid Diagnostic Tests for cholera surveillance as part of an adaptive surveillance and testing strategy. The LWG aims to launch the operational phase of the laboratory capacity assessments on a global scale in GTFCC countries at the next GTFCC Surveillance Annual Meeting in April 2023.

Deliverables

Deliverable 1

Design a laboratory capacity assessment framework for cholera laboratories.

• Conduct a desk review of key documents including the WHO Laboratory assessment tools, minimum standards for laboratory capacity in countries and other similar tools and guidance produced by other programs.
• Finalize the draft guidance for laboratory capacity in countries affected by cholera.
• Design the strategy, tools including and not limited to a user guide, data collection and analysis module, and methodology to administer the capacity assessments.

Expected by end of Month 1.

Deliverable 2

Conduct laboratory capacity assessments at both central and peripheral level laboratories in at least one pilot countries, as per the agreed methodology.

• Organize assessments in and with GTFCC partner countries. Targeted countries include CSP-countries Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Nigeria and Bangladesh.
• Coordinate the planning and agenda for the site visits with all partners involved.
• Conduct assessments in the form of joint sites visits with MoH laboratory representative, WHO CO and GTFCC CSP representative.

Expected by Month 2.

Deliverable 3

Present the strategy, methodology, tools and initial results to the GTFCC LWG, GTFCC countries and partners at the Surveillance and Laboratory Working Group Annual Meeting. The GTFCC LWG Annual Meeting will serve as platform to sensitize GTFCC countries and as official launch of cholera laboratory capacity assessment activities.

Expected by end of Month 3.

Deliverable 4

Conduct laboratory capacity assessments at both central and peripheral level laboratories in remaining 3 pilot countries.

Expected by Month 4.

Deliverable 5 – Analyze the data collected.

Expected by end of Month 5.

Deliverable 6 – Project reporting,

• Produce a compiled final report including executive summary of conclusion and recommendations, introduction and description of the assessment methodology, detailed presentation of key findings, lessons learned/good practices and actionable recommendations, conclusions and next steps.
• Contribute to the preparation of final reporting to the funders.

Expected by end of Month 6.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in clinical laboratory sciences.

Desirable:

• Degree in microbiological clinical laboratory sciences.
• Documented training or diploma in quality assurance, quality control, auditing, laboratory management or relevant fields.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in clinical laboratory diagnostics for communicable diseases.
• Field experience in laboratory services in resource limited countries with focus on capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, technical advisory services or other relevant fields.
• Documented experience in working with multiple partners.

Desirable:

• Experience in cholera surveillance or diagnostics or other relevant communicable disease control programme.
• Experience in quality management systems for example as laboratory quality manager or internal auditor or previous experience in performing capacity assessments.

Skills/Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of field needs for laboratory capacity and diagnosis in underserved settings with demonstrated ability to promote pragmatic, field-oriented, operational approaches.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly organize and synthesize findings for different target audiences.
• Proven ability to interact well in multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environments, involving technical, cultural and political elements.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.
• Intermediate knowledge of French.

Location

Off-site

Home based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

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:

6 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: (link) Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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• 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 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: (link)-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html