Technical review of current communicable disease surveillance systems in Fiji
BACKGROUND
A new WHO global strategy on health, environment and climate change was approved by member states in 2019 at the 72nd Annual World Health Assembly for the period 2019–2023, outlining the transformation needed to improve lives and well-being sustainably through healthy environments. With small island developing States (SIDS) being extremely vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change, WHO’s member states approved a WHO global plan of action on climate change and health in small island developing States in 2019 for the period 2019–2023.
The program is responsible for assisting the Ministry of Health and Medical Services respond to Climate Change in Fiji through the implementation and monitoring of the SHAPE work plan. The consultancy will be responsible for a technical review of current communicable disease surveillance systems, and make recommendations in the interest of progressing Building a geographic information system integrating climate and disease information’ of the SHAPE plan that relates to a strengthened communicable disease surveillance system, through improving the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), including establishing web based reporting and enhanced data management and analysis systems for NNDSS, integrating climate and disease information
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
The consultancy will be responsible for a technical review of current communicable disease surveillance systems in Fiji and provide options for an integrated communicable disease surveillance information system linked to climate data in the interest of progressing the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) supported Strengthening Health Adaptation Project: Responding to Climate Change in Fiji (SHAPE).
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
Building a geographic information system integrating climate and disease information’ of the SHAPE plan that relates to a strengthened communicable disease surveillance system, through improving the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), including establishing web based reporting and enhanced data management and analysis systems for NNDSS, integrating climate and disease information
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
- Review the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) and other existing communicable disease surveillance systems
- Review options for an integrated communicable disease surveillance information system, including establishing web based reporting, and enhanced data management and analysis systems.
- Review the options for linking an integrated communicable disease surveillance system to climate data through the Fiji Meteorological Service and other relevant agencies
- Provide a technical report on the review and recommendations for the way forward in progressing
ACTIVITY COORDINATION & REPORTING
The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:
- Responsible Officer: Dr Akeem Ali, Co-Ordinator PHS, DPS
- Manager: Dr Mark Jacobs, WR, Director DPS
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Education
- Essential: Advanced degree in public health, or epidemiology
- Desirable: A degree in medicine
Experience
Essential: Knowledge of public health, and communicable disease epidemiology, with at least 10 years of experience in the area.
Desirable:
- • Excellent knowledge and experience in outbreak response and in the surveillance of communicable disease.
- • Demonstrable expertise in the review and/or development of communicable disease surveillance systems.
- • Experience with health information systems, particularly communicable disease surveillance information systems.
- • Experience working in Fiji or in the Pacific or in a small island developing State.
Skills
- • Attention to detail and ability to work under pressure
- • Excellent communication skills.
- • Strong organizational skills.
- • Ability to work and consult with multidisciplinary teams, in a resource constrained environment.
Languages
High level of written and spoken English
Competencies
- • Teamwork,
- • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences,
- • Communication,
- • Knowing and managing yourself,
- • Producing results.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Place of assignment
Provide in-country support to Fiji based at WHO Fiji office provided there is approval to travel to Fiji.
Payment terms
Payment will be made in the following instalments:
- • 25% - Submission of a workplan
- • 25% - completion and submission of an interim report
- • 50% - Submission of final technical report
Travel
The Consultant may travel within Fiji depending on the MOHMS request.
APPLICATIONS
Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 29 March 2022.
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. 170274 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
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.