Purpose of consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to contribute towards the development of the contact tracing implementation guidance.

Background

The overarching project goal is that contact tracing strategies are determined, adapted and set up in a timely manner during outbreaks limiting the spread of outbreaks.

The objectives are:

• To develop and disseminate an evidence-based disease-agnostic contact tracing guideline
• To facilitate the application of contact tracing strategies through the development of implementation guidance

In 2023, the Surveillance Systems department started developing a disease-agnostic contact tracing guideline; a guideline steering group was brought together, a guideline development group was recruited, and a systematic literature review was conducted. In September 2024, the guideline was approved by the WHO Guideline Review Committee (GRC). The guideline is expected to be published in English at the end of the year 2024. Translations into 5 additional official WHO languages will be published in the first quarter of 2025. While this guideline proposes three recommendations that aim at making contact tracing strategies the most effective, one important aspect of it is that it is the first WHO normative document that establishes the key definitions and concepts of contact tracing.

In order to encourage the application of these concepts and definitions, as well as the uptake of the recommendations, a practical implementation guidance will be developed.

The implementation guidance will be divided into four sections: methods for contact person identification, methods for contact person monitoring; methods for measuring the performance of the contact tracing strategies; and minimum set of variables needed for contact tracing. Each section will be published independently and as a whole, in English.

To support the development of this guidance, the project team is looking for a consultant who will conduct a comprehensive review. This review will include:

• a review of guidelines and guidance documents (including those included in the systematic literature review conducted in 2023), as well as the collection of data used in contact tracing as well as performance indicators
• the consultation of various stakeholders involved in contact tracing, to identify methods used to identify and monitor contacts, and evaluate the contact tracing performance, in alignment with the recommendations of the guideline. A semi structured questionnaire will have to be developed, based on findings from the review of guidelines and guidance, and key informant interviews conducted with stakeholders at regional and country office levels.

In addition, a technical working group of experts including but not limited to WHO (including regional and country representatives) will be convened to guide the review methodology and input technically into the guidance’ sections. In between monthly meetings, the TWG will be requested to review draft sections.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Comprehensive review report on methods for contact person identification, monitoring and contact tracing data and performance indicators used.

Expected by: 31 August 2025

• Develop a methodology for the comprehensive review
• Develop and complete a data base and analytical plan of information collected
• Develop a short concept note and contact regional and country offices to identify 10-15 stakeholders to be interviewed
• Develop a semi structured interview guide
• Collect feedback from TWG
• Deliverable 2: Minimum set of variables to collect for contact tracing.

Expected by: 31 August 2025

• Develop a methodology to define the minimum set of core contact tracing variables using an electronic Delphi process (based on the methodology used by WHO to define the EpiCore variables)
• Collect feedback from TWG
• Deliverable 3: Write, review, and collect feedback from the TWG on the Implementation guidance (based on deliverables 1 and 2).

Expected by: 31 August 2025

• Guidance on identifying contacts
• Guidance on monitoring contacts
• Guidance on measuring the performance of contact tracing strategies

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential:

• Minimum first university degree in International Health, Public Health, Global Health.
• Field Epidemiological Training Program (FETP) graduate.

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree in International Health, Public Health, Global Health.

Experience

Essential:

• 5 to 10 cumulative years of experience in any or all of the below:
• Experience in conducting systematic reviews.
• Experience in qualitative research (specifically with key informant).
• Experience in investigating outbreaks.

Desirable:

• Experience in low- and middle-income country settings.
• Experience in Contact tracing.
• Experience with WHO Regional and/or Country office.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential:

• Ability to work independently and produce timely deliverables
• Strong writing skills
• Strong analytical skills and capacity to synthetize complex information

Languages and level required

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English
• Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language

Desirable:

• Expert knowledge of another official UN language

Location

Offsite: Home-based

Travel

The consultant may be required to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)

Remuneration

Band level B: USD 7,000 - 9,980 per month

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited)

N/A

Expected duration of contract

8 months part-time at 60%. Remuneration will be pro-rated accordingly.

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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