Roster of Consultants – Support to HQ/Countries: Geospatial Health Analysts, Anywhere

Roster of Consultants –GIS Support to HQ/Countries: Geospatial Health Analysts

( 2300403 )

Contractual Arrangement : External consultant

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 11 months

Job Posting: Feb 9, 2023, 12:25:46 PM

To facilitate the provision of rapid technical expertise to the WHO GIS Centre for Health in the implementation and coordination of its GIS health-related projects in the context of COVAX and other health emergencies at global, regional, or country level.

To enable project/team leads and health partners to take informed, strategic and/or operational decisions.

To contribute to the design and/or implementation of geospatial programmes, manage GIS systems, collect, analyze, update, and maintain geospatial datasets pertaining to COVAX and other emergencies, coordinate field data collection, create maps and other cartographic products, deployment of geo-enabled microplanning for vaccine delivery in the context of COVAX, CoVDP (COVID vaccine delivery partnership) or other vaccine programs, as required.

Background

The Division of Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact (DDI) supports and strengthens the generation and collection, analysis, use, and dissemination of data and evidence to promote better evidence-informed decision-making in the Member States. Its goal is to build capacity in the Member States to monitor the health of their populations and the impact of health interventions and promote evidence-informed policy decisions. Monitoring WHO’s Thirteenth Global Programme of Work 2019-2023 (GPW13) Impact Framework is also an essential function.

The DDI Department of Data and Analytics (DNA) is responsible for monitoring GPW13, strengthening country health information, data generation, and evidence creation in collaboration with partners, and addressing critical data gaps for priority health topics. It undertakes an analysis of health trends and determinants. It also serves as Division focal point for collaboration with other departments concerning primary data generation efforts and analysis.

The newly established GIS Centre for Health at WHO headquarters (HQ) in DDI DNA, supports WHO geospatial data, spatial analysis needs to build and harness the growing potential of geospatial technologies and approaches to accelerate global health outcomes. The GIS Centre for Health supports WHO regional and country offices in their GIS and data needs, including training and capacity building, GIS software/licensing, global baseline foundation datasets, and spatial analysis. The GIS Centre for Health is part of the WHO and UNICEF GIS Working Group for COVAX Innovation, under the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator. COVAX and other efforts have shown the need for global information about health at the national level. The Global Health Facilities Database project, the Health Systems & Response Connector (HSRC) project, and other related work of the GIS Centre for Health seek to ensure that all countries have the necessary technical, operations, information, and financial resources to translate new COVID and other emergency tools into national preparedness, readiness, and response interventions to stop transmission and to save lives.

Equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination and other COVID related health services can only be ensured with accurate, accessible geospatial data of health. This will strengthen understanding of the relationships between populations, health catchment areas, supply chains, operational requirements, and health facility/health service locations. To achieve this at scale requires access to a mobile workforce of GIS and allied experts.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Provide the required technical expertise for the GIS Centre project team and/or country in its activities to implement the necessary aspects of geographic data, analytics, and information products to meet the requirements of the project/emergency.

  Expected by: ongoing.

• Deliverable 2: Prepare meetings, supporting documentation, reports, and technical summaries as required or requested.

  Expected by: monthly.

• Deliverable 3: Ensure the necessary preparations communication, coordination and after-actions are undertaken by developing a GIS Action plan with related milestones and goals for reporting and updates.

  Expected by: ongoing.

• Deliverable 4: Contribute to the preparation of regular project status reports, including financials and risks.

  Expected by: weekly.

• Deliverable 5: Prepare a monthly technical report on work undertaken.

  Expected by: monthly.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• A first university degree in Information Management, Public Health, Geography, Cartography, Geographic Information Systems, Engineering, Geometrics, Computer Sciences or Earth Sciences, Information Technology, or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in geography, cartography, geographical information system, public health or related field.
• Adequate GIS training in lieu of non-GIS degree.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience combined at the national and international levels in GIS management using different analytical/mapping and online data management packages such as ArcGIS, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise/Hub, QGIS/other open source GIS software, ONA, CARTO, and statistical software (SPSS, SPLUS), etc.
• Experience in supporting field data collection in health and/or humanitarian emergency contexts.
• Strong, proven experience in stakeholder engagement, including working with international agencies, government, or multinational companies, preferably in the health, development, or humanitarian fields.

Desirable:

• Experience in a dynamic and fast-paced environment managing a variety of stakeholders with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds and experiences.
• Experience in health, particularly in developing countries.
• Prior humanitarian working experience at field level, with WHO/UN agencies, health partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or with an international non governmental organization.
• 5 to 10 years of project management experience applying GIS to health, policy, or government strategies and projects.
• Experience in developing, organizing, and communicating technical content for a variety of stakeholders, including liaising with senior public health professionals, technical experts, and collaborators.
• Experience in developing strategies and successful implementation plans for GIS initiatives.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and the use of complex databases, spreadsheets, and specific software such as ArcGIS, QGIS.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with multiple stakeholders in an international environment.
• Ability to manage concurrent projects across a spectrum of disciplines.

• Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong business acumen.
• Ability to deliver high-quality products under very tight deadlines.
• Ability to synthesize and effectively communicate scientific and technical information.
• Aptitude to connect the dots across a wide spectrum of partners and health system functions from funding through local health care delivery.
• Strong writing abilities including demonstrated ability to work with complex and technical information and prepare briefing notes and speaking points tailored to specific needs and audiences.
• Ability to provide high-level support to meetings and events, including identifying, prioritizing action items, and ensuing effective follow-up across teams and departments.
• Strong presentation skills with excellent ability to use visualization tools such as PowerPoint.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• 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:

11 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.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: (link)
• 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 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

For roster VNs: The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.