NEW WHO Early Warning, Alert and Response System EWARS) Mobile Development Officer Consultancy – Consultant – Contractors Agreement UNDP – United Nations Development Programme Closing in 10 days Gaza

Background

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (WHE Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS) at the three levels, the incumbent will provide technical support to the roll-out of EWARS Mobile with a focus on the occupied Palestinian territory, in addition to contributing to the development of EWARS mobile-specific features to challenging contexts.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support the operation and development of EWARS Mobile for diseases of outbreak potential for early detection and response to public health incidents; conduct field investigation; provide technical support for vulnerability assessment, risk mapping and development of preparedness/contingency plan at the crisis affected area in collaboration with partners.

2. Provide technical support in the development of other monitoring/surveillance systems, including surveys and community-based surveillance, for detection, verification and response to public health incidents; ensuring efficiency of data collection, correlation, analysis, interpretation and timely reporting. This includes capacity building of relevant field personnel.

3. Support the establishment, training and functioning of Rapid Response Team (RRT) operating at field level for epidemiological investigation and intervention.

4. Collate and verify data on reported outbreaks or rumors received from multiple sources (EWARS and community-based surveillance), conduct retrospective analysis of reported incidents: determine trends, distribution patterns, and efficiency of the verification mechanism.

5. Maintain database of reported outbreaks and public health incidents, and document all steps taken in the verification and response process.

6. Contribute in building the core surveillance, alert and response capacities in accordance with the requirement for IHR 2005; engage and provide trainings for government health staff and other national and international partners at district and health facility level suited for the area of responsibility and any particular local, cultural language or other aspects that may pertain to it, support the team in the supervision and on-the-job training at health facility level.

7. Facilitate a regular surveillance monthly review meetings including the tracking of the surveillance performance indicators. In cooperation with the team, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the planned surveillance activities, as well as alert and response capacities for incidents detection, verification and response in compliance with IHR 2005.

8. Synthesize event-based information to prepare briefing materials, epidemiological reports and presentations.

9. Prepare and disseminate disease outbreak news, technical documents, updates and assessments to key decision-makers in the organizational hierarchy and to the national health authorities, as required using standard tools and templates.

10. Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Competencies

• Communicating in a credible and effective manner:  Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others; listens actively.
• Producing Results:  Produces and delivers quality results. Is action oriented and committed to achieving outcomes. 
• Knowing and managing yourself:  Manages ambiguity and pressure in a self-reflective way. Uses criticism as a development opportunity.

Required Skills and Experience

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

First university degree in information or data management, computer sciences, statistics, applied math or public health, complemented by training in databases development and/or management from an accredited/recognized institute.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE:

Experience: 

Essential

At least three years’ relevant experience in data and/or information management, including experience in emergency operations or humanitarian context.

Desirable

• Prior working experience with WHO/UN or with an international nongovernmental organization.
• Experience in preparation and delivery of communication materials.

Skills/Knowledge

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Working knowledge of online data collection applications, statistical analysis packages and data visualization software
• Good knowledge of database and GIS software
• Desirable: Previous exposure to EWARS in a box / EWARS mobile platform
• Good interpersonal and communication skills. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Fluency in oral and written English & Arabic  is required. 

APPLICATION DETAILS:

• Applications must be submitted by 15th Nov, 2024 to http://jobs.undp.ps/
• Type of contract: LICA- UNOPS
• Duration: Six months.
• Applications must be in English and include your CV.
• Only Palestinians are eligible to apply. 

                                                               WHO HAS A NON-SMOKING WORK ENVIRONMENT