Immunization specialist
Background
National Immunization Progamme (NIP) has made great efforts to protect the people from Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) in last two decades in Cambodia. It has made significant progresses including attaining some landmark achievements in the history of public health such as polio eradication, measles elimination and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination and recently hepatitis B control goal. Incredible contributions made to new born survival, reduction of child and maternal mortality and hence supported to achieve Cambodian Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and now contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Cambodia was verified by the Regional Verification Commission (RVC) for Measles Elimination in the Western Pacific in March 2015 to have achieved measles elimination, noting that endemic measles virus transmission had been interrupted and the interruption had been sustained since November 2011 to March 2015.
However, as measles importation can happen, almost after one year of the verification on measles elimination status, first laboratory confirmed measles case was reported in January 2016. In 2016-2017, a total of 66 laboratory confirmed cases were reported from 33 operational districts of 16 provinces. Because of measles outbreak, Ministry of Health had revised the immunization schedule; along with the two routine doses at 9 months and 18 months age, MR0 dose at 6 months and MR extra dose at 24 months-10 years old children (who missed routine doses) are given in routine vaccination. The Ministry of Health also conducted several immunization response activities including small and large scale measles and rubella supplementary immunization activities (MR SIAs) which allowed Cambodia to interrupt the transmission of measles virus and also reduction of incidence of rubella case.
Cambodia also reported three laboratory confirmed measles cases in 2018 and successfully interrupted the transmission of virus by immunization responses. Due to repeated importation of virus from endemic and neighbouring countries, Cambodia reported a total 674 and 371 laboratory confirmed measles cases from in 2019 and 1 January to 31 October 2020.
It is more than one-year Cambodia has been reporting measles cases. There is urgent needs to conduct in depth epidemiological and laboratory analysis, categories cases and share to NIP and other stakeholders. Also to provide action-orientated recommendations and to support to write a report for national verification committee (NVC) of Cambodia.
Purpose/Specific Objective of the Activity
Technical assistance to Cambodian National Immunization Programme (NIP) of Ministry of Health and NVC in strengthening routine immunization and vaccine preventable disease surveillance system in Cambodia.
Description of activities to be carried out
- Review the measles and rubella cases investigation and re-investigation report;
- Review the routine immunization and vaccination campaign coverage data and analysis population immunity by provinces/ODs;
- Conduct in depth epidemiological and laboratory analysis of reported cases for last two years and more and categorize the cases;
- Prepare the detailed report on the basis of analysis.
- Provide technical assistance in developing the NVC report of Cambodia
Method(s) to carry out the activity
A consultant will be based in home country and work remotely under the overall guidance of the Technical Officer, Expanded Programme on Immunization of WHO Country Office, Cambodia and Technical Officer of measles/rubella in WHO Regional Office for Western Pacific. She/he will be working and implement above mentioned activities.
Output 1: Review of documents and data
Deliverable: Case investigation reports, surveillance data and immunization coverage data reviewed and analysed.
Output 2: Prepared detailed report
Deliverable: Detailed report prepared with action-oriented recommendations
Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Essential: Postgraduate degree in public health from a recognized university and/or training/s in public health at postgraduate degree level or its equivalent is essential
Desirable: Training in EPI
Experience:
Essential: At least 10 years of relevant experience and/or experiences in the field of immunization programme and surveillance activities in country level is essential.
Desirable: Working experience with WHO
Technical Skills and knowledge/Skills
Sound knowledge in the vaccine preventable disease surveillance especially measles-rubella surveillance and routine immunization programme. Ability to work harmoniously, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.
Competencies
- Producing results.
- Fostering integration and teamwork.
- Communicating in a credible and effective way
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference
Additional Information
Duty Station: Remote assignment
Applications
Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 22 November 2020.
- • Expression of interest (cover letter)
- • proposed timeline
- • Fees and budget for production
- • Samples of work
The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.
Please use Tender Notice No. 117641 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.