Technical Support to WHO/WPRO COVID-19 Incident Management Support Team (IMST) Information and Planning Pillar
BACKGROUND
Since 2 January 2020, the three levels of WHO (China country office, Regional Office for the Western Pacific and headquarters) have been working together to respond to this outbreak of COVID-19. On 30 January, WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). On 11 March, WHO Director General characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.
The World Health Organization, Western Pacific Regional Office (WHO/WPRO) is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through analysis of data and provision of technical guidance in the development of standards on prevention and control of COVID-19 in Member States in the Region. These tasks entail collection and summarizing data from various sources such as case line lists, country reports, official surveillance reports, published and unpublished literature, and event-based monitoring systems in the countries within the region. Additional support is required in collecting and summarizing the data needed to adequately inform the policy decisions to be made. These information data are critical in ensuring that all responses and decisions made are updated and evidence- based.
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
The general purpose of this activity is to provide technical support to the WPRO Incident Management Support Team (IMST) particularly in data gathering and data analysis for the COVID-19 response.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT AND DELIVERABLES
A. Indicator-based surveillance (IBS)
- • Update the daily report of cases and deaths for each country/area in WPR
- • Update the subnational database of cases and deaths daily
- • Update the surveillance indicator database weekly
- • Update the reported imported cases among member states daily
- • Collect other information and data about WPR member states as necessary
- • Collate all IBS information into database, update and maintain IBS database daily
- • Provide daily updated database to data management team in Information and Planning pillar
B. Event-based surveillance (EBS)
- • Collect media reports and other signals from WPR member states
- • Summarize pertinent signals for reporting to the COVID-19 Incident Management Support Team (IMST)
- • Develop daily presentation slides on clusters, significant events, and other signals
- • Present daily presentation slides on clusters, significant events, and other signals and lead discussion (Project Leader) in daily EBS morning meeting and present in WPRO IMST
- • Collate all EBS information into database and presentation repository, maintain and update and provide EBS team daily
- • Provide country offices urgent signals that require action or clarification
- • Send signals that require attention of other pillars in the IMST
C. COVID-19 Vaccine related information monitoring
- • Collect media reports and other signals related COVID-19 Vaccine including Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI), vaccine hesitancy and vaccine deployment from WPR member states.
- • Collect media reports and other signals related COVID-19 Vaccine Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) from countries outside WPR.
- • Develop daily presentation on information related COVID-19 vaccine for daily EBS morning meeting in Information and Planning pillar.
- • Present daily presentation slides related COVID-19 vaccine in daily EBS morning meeting in Information and Planning pillar.
- • Collate all COVID-19 related information into database and presentation repository, maintain and update and provide EBS team daily
- • Send information that require attention of other pillars in the IMST and relevant division in WPRO.
- • Provide updated database to relevant division in WPRO.
D. NPI, Quarantine, and Testing
- • Update and Validate the NPI database weekly
- • Update and validate the Quarantine and Testing database every 2 weeks
- • Provide database and summary presentations and documents on overall situation or updates regarding NPI measures in the region
E. Data Analysis and Visualization
- • Analyze mobility trends and other indicators related to observed patterns and changes in transmission among WPR countries, as needed
- • Update R-scripts for the data visualization materials upon the request of the Data Management Team
F. Special presentation and project
- • Make review of related literature and information
- • Create data and presentation repository for developing final product made by the pillar to the IMST
- • Assist in the preparation of presentation slides
- • Support in the facilitation of webinars conducted by the Information and Planning Pillar
G. Working Group
- • Collection of information and provide data repository in several working groups that are organized within the pillar (e.g. Children working group, Contact tracing working group, etc.)
- • Provide other necessary support in working on the presentations and documentation, etc.
H. Miscellaneous
- • Assist in the preparation of reviews, data entry and management as needed by the Information and Planning Pillar.
- • Support the Information and Planning Pillar in data collection for urgent requests of other pillars and WHO Country Offices.
Deliverables:
- Up to date Indicator-based surveillance databases;
- Event-based surveillance database and repository of all daily presentations;
- Monthly progress reports;
- Final financial report
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
The activity will be based at the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE). The purpose of this activity is to provide support to strengthening the ongoing epidemiology work of the Information and Planning Pillar of the WPRO Incident Management Support Team (IMST). In particular, this assignment entails collection and summarizing data from various sources such as case line lists, country reports, official surveillance reports, published and unpublished literature, and event-based monitoring systems.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
Demonstrated experience producing publication quality epidemiological reports and proven ability to synthesize multiple data sources and communicate complex findings for a range of audiences.
LANGUAGES
Fluent knowledge of English (reading, writing, speaking) is required.
COMPETENCIES
- • Communicating in a credible, effective, and culturally competent way
- • Moving forward in a changing environment
- • Fostering integration and teamwork
- • Producing results
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- • WHO will review all the proposals and take the best proposal based on prevailing industry rates.
- • Duration of contract is for six (6) months
APPLICATIONS
Qualified and interested specialists should submit to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 15 February 2021 the following documents:
- Expression of Interest {cover letter} that indicates: a) earliest availability to commence the assignment, b) proposed fees and budget, and c) samples of work.
- CV(s)
- Portfolio
Please use Tender Notice No. 121630 as subject to all submission. Kindly note that the application may be closed before the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. WHO may contact candidates for further information. Only successful application(s) will be contacted. Progress of this work is subject to confirmation of funding.