Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS) Consultant

Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS) Consultant

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to upgrade the paper based Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS) platform and to provide technical support in rolling out and implementation of the enhanced electronic platform in EWARS implementing States Gedaref, Kassala, Northern, Red Sea, River Nile, Sennar, White Nile, Aj Jazirah and Khartoum followed by expansion in Blue Nile State. The expected outcomes of this consultancy include upgraded electronic EWARS platform with integrated modules for nutrition, malaria and MPNDSR and finalization of RRTs, laboratory and line list forms to enhance outbreak investigation and active case finding; electronic line listing module to capture and report real time large data during outbreaks; automated analysis module for large outbreak data sets; and interactive dashboards and automated generation of real time epidemiological reports for effective public health action.

Background

Over the last years, Sudan went through a severe socio-economic and political crisis, which results in an increase of vulnerable populations throughout the country. The fragile health system struggles to respond to multiple parallel emergencies such as outbreaks of dengue fever, malaria, Hepatitis E, Measles, pertussis, diphtheria, cholera, the influx of refugees and population displacements due to intercommunal tensions.

The escalation of violence in Sudan in April 2023 resulted in disruption of existing surveillance systems in the country posing a threat to early detection and rapid response of priority epidemic prone diseases. The reporting rate for paper-based IBS dropped to 14% in June 2023 while currently performing at around 50%. The reporting rate for CBS system was also significantly dropped and currently performing at around 70%. The influx of IPDs to States not having prior IPDs has posed more strain on the exhausted health system. The EWARs was implemented in 11 States of Sudan before the crisis but with the presence of newly displaced people in other States, there is an urgent need to activate the electronic EWARS reporting from all IDPs hosting States until the routine IBS system is revitalized.

The proposed consultancy aims to support WHE Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment Unit (HIM) through implementation and coordination of WHO and Health Cluster strategies for the monitoring and implementation of public health surveillance and response programmes with special focus on early detection, verification and rapid response to epidemics and other public health incidents related to the health emergencies.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date: 15/07/2024

End date: 31/12/2024

Work to be performed

Output 1: Develop the electronic EWARS platform with enhanced capacities for management of large line-listing outbreak data during major epidemics; RRTs investigation forms for enhanced outbreak investigation and active case finding; and real-time dashboard and generation of epidemiological reports for timely public health action.

Deliverable 1.1: Upgrade the interactive dashboards for effective monitoring of disease outbreaks and automated generation of epidemiological reports.

Deliverable 1.2: Develop integrated nutrition, malaria and MPNDSR (maternal, perinatal, and neonatal disease surveillance and response) modules within electronic EWARS platform for management of disease outbreak alerts including unstructured data of unusual health events from informal non-health reporting sources

Deliverable 1.3: Validate and review response teams forms for use during suspected or confirmed outbreak investigations of high threat pathogens

Deliverable 1.4: Develop electronic EWARS line-listing form with laboratory linkages for real time transmission of large volumes of disease outbreak date during major epidemics in humanitarian crisis settings

Deliverable 1.5: Validate and review joint supportive supervision and data quality audit forms in consultation with Federal MoH and develop electronic module for field use by WHO and State/Federal MOH staff.

Output 2: Implement the enhanced electronic EWARS system in States already implementing EWARS followed by scaling up in remaining States

Deliverable 2.1: Review and update user manuals and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the enhanced electronic EWARS system.

Deliverable 2.2: Develop QC training package for enhanced electronic EWARS system for training of EWARS staff with inclusion of additional modules for RRTs, line lists, lab, nutrition, malaria and MPNDSR.

Deliverable 2.3: Participate in technical missions to support assessments and implementation of the updated real-time early warning surveillance systems.

Deliverable 2.4: Provide a report based on the training after enhancement of electronic platform.

Specific requirements

Qualifications required: Minimum first university degree in Information Technology or equivalent.

Experience required:

From 5 to 6 years of relevant experience in programming including software design and coding; database development; and implementation of electronic EWARS for communicable diseases surveillance in

emergencies.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

1) Excellent computer and data analysis skills with ability to use MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, EPI INFO, EPIMAP and other advanced statistical and epidemiological software.

2) Knowledge and skills in development and implementation of real-time electronic EWARN

systems in emergencies.

3) Good interpersonal, cross cultural, oral and written communication and report writing skills

4) Strong understanding of Object Oriented, architecture and programming.

5) Demonstrated experience in conducts technology orientation for end users

6) Demonstrated knowledge in developing and maintaining technology policies, standards and procedures manual.

Language requirements:

Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of another WHO language would be an asset

Place of assignment

The Consultant expected to perform his work from Red Sea State Port Sudan.

Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel

In expansion phase of the project, he/she needs to travel to Kassala and White Nile States of Sudan as per technical needs. As part of newly established hubs in Kassala and White Nile, the states under both hubs will be invited for a joint training in each respective hub.

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to E-Mail schreiben
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
• WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at E-Mail schreiben.
• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates