Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) Specialist
BACKGROUND
Lao PDR has demonstrated the value of using an Emergency Operations Centres (EOC) to suppress an outbreak of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus in 2015 and believes that a similar approach can be effective for other communicable diseases and public health emergencies. The EOC monitors 19 notifiable diseases on a weekly basis, and provincial EOCs are established and used to communicate across levels of the health system. However, the current EOC requires further strengthening as identified through the joint external evaluations in 2017 and in recent large-scale public health events such as, the Attapeu national disaster response, national 2019 dengue outbreak, multi-provincial measles outbreak in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this process, an opportunity exists to include other diseases and public health events, such as malaria, hepatitis, rabies and antimicrobial resistance as notifiable diseases.
As part of the existing relationship with MoH in Lao PDR, the World Health Organization (WHO) has a mandate to support MoH in developing a robust, highly functional and sustainable EOC, and to help the country to rapidly detect, respond and prevent communicable disease epidemics.
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
To provide technical support to Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) Ministry of Health (MoH) for strengthening of emergency operations preparedness and response, with a focus on public health emergency operations centres (PHEOCs).
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
Under the guidance of the WHO CO (WHO Country Office) HTM lead, the consultant will closely work with the central government, particularly the Department of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC), provincial government and other relevant government institutions, non-governmental organizations, external support agencies, bilateral and multilateral agencies and UN organizations to exchange information and participate in consultations and joint activities to ensure implementation of the identified activities of the key technical areas will take place. Additionally, they will work closely with the WHO country office teams as part of the integration of PHEOC into the notifiable disease landscape and assist with operationalising PHEOC. The consultant is expected to exercise consideration, initiative and sound judgment in the application of policy guidelines and programme objectives of the Organization and partner agencies as required and relevant. Key activities include;
- Support DCDC in their day to day activities for strengthening PHEOC
- Oversee the progress of the different PHEOC work areas; EOC-related policy and law development and updates, finalisation of the National Health Emergency Operations Plan (NHEOP) and hazard-specific ERP development, following the priorities of DCDC, EOC and IMS related training and exercise implementation at the national and subnational levels
- Support DCDC to work with partners and donors on EOC-related work plans
- Perform other duties as required by the WHO CO HTM team
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
Output/s
Output 1: Supporting DCDC in their activities and work to strengthen PHEOC
Deliverable 1.1: Monthly activity report
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Essential: Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health or related area
Desirable: Graduate of field epidemiology training program
EXPERIENCE
Essential: The STC should have at least 7 years’ experience working in public health events, such as disease outbreaks or disasters. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Desirable: Experiencing working in EOCs and implementing EOC programs. Low-resource setting experience
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- • Knowledge of WHO PHEOC frameworks and IMS
- • Ability to work and interact effectively with national counterparts at various levels
- • Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct
- • Ability to work independently under pressure and to deliver high-quality work on-time
- • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- • Good oral and written communication skills
- • Good computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT
LANGUAGES
Essential: Excellent reading, writing and spoken English.
COMPETENCIES
- • Technical Expertise
- • Producing results
- • Communication
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Individual applicants only. Preference is given to qualified candidates already in Lao PDR. However, if there are no suitable candidates available in country, we will be looking for suitable candidates outside the country that can be mobilised and brought into the country.
Duration of Contract: 13 months (12 July 2021 – 24 August 2022)
APPLICATIONS
Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 25 June 2021.
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. 131643 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.