Consultancy: Survey on Vaccine Shortages (for Individual Applicants)

BACKGROUND

Equitable access to health products is a global priority, and the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and affordability of health products of assured quality need to be addressed in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular target 3.8. Access is concerning, given the high prices of new pharmaceuticals and rapidly changing markets for health products that place increasing pressure on all health systems’ ability to provide full and affordable access to quality health care.

WHO’s comprehensive health systems approach to increasing access to health products is guided by a series of Health Assembly and Regional Committee resolutions. In May 2018, the Seventy-first World Health Assembly considered a report on addressing the global shortage of, and access to, medicines and vaccines. Having considered the report, the Health Assembly decided to request to elaborate a road map report, outlining the programming of WHO’s work on access to medicines and vaccines for the period 2019–2023. The road map is structured mainly two interlinked strategic areas to support access to health products; 1) ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of health products, and 2) improving equitable access to health products.

The position is envisaged to assist WHO’s secretariat role in improving access to safe and quality health products in the region by assessing current gaps in vaccine shortage.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The consultant will assist WHO secretariat in the area of equitable access to health products by assessing current status of vaccine shortage through survey, analysing data from the survey, and drawing up potential consideration points for policy and strategy for countries in the Western Pacific Region of WHO.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

• To formulate questionnaire and conduct survey on assessment of vaccine shortage related issues including notification mechanism;
• To facilitate response to survey by engaging national responsible officers either through teleconference or site visit;
• To conduct risk assessment based on survey findings and other information sources;
• To suggest potential options to address the current gaps and deficiencies at country level;
• To debate on priorities and step wise approaches; and
• To deliver verbal and written report.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Under the supervision and guidance of the Medical Officer, RSS, EMT, DHS at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific Region, the consultant will have to deliver the following:

• Survey questionnaire on vaccine shortage
• Analysis of survey data
• Survey assessment report including recommendations for countries and WHO to address the current gaps

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  University degree or higher in Biologicals or health-related sciences

Desirable: post-graduate degree or experience in statistics and survey research

EXPERIENCE

Essential: more than five years of proven professional and working experience in research or regulation of medical products

Desirable: experience in development and management of systems in developing countries and/or international organization

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Effective communication skills
• Sufficient knowledge on designing and conducting survey (e.g. draft a questionnaire, facilitate and verify survey, and data analysis) desirably in vaccine/medicine-related field
• Ability to work effectively and generate outputs in a timely manner

LANGUAGES

Fluent in English (writing, reading and speaking)

COMPETENCIES

• Good understanding of  the overall regulatory systems of medical products
• Producing results
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Fostering integration and teamwork
• Knowing and managing yourself

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

STARTING DATE:  10 June 2019 (subject to confirmation)

DURATION OF CONTRACT:  6 months

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV and Expression of Interest to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 28 May 2019. 

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 (USD) and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. WPRO/2019-05/DHS_EMT/TN90584/mnc as subject to all submission. 

Only successful candidates will be contacted.