International Consultant - Surveillance Systems Strengthening %26 EWARS

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization's Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) serves 21 Pacific Island Countries, focusing on strengthening communicable disease surveillance and response systems. DPS provides technical assistance in outbreak preparedness and emergency response, collaborating with Ministries of Health and regional networks. This role supports DPS's priority to enhance surveillance capacities across the region.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to bolster disease surveillance and Early Warning and Response System (EWARS) implementation in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) through the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS). The role will update national guidelines, build healthcare worker capacity in surveillance and response, and advance regional priorities for integrated, multisource EWARS. A key objective is to develop a joint epidemic intelligence report to consolidate data, improve situational awareness, and support evidence-based public health decision-making at national and regional levels, aligning with WHO standards and IHR (2005).

Responsibilities

The consultant will support the updating and alignment of national communicable disease guidelines with revised notifiable disease lists. Responsibilities include strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Early Warning and Response System (EWARS) through integrated, multisource approaches, providing technical guidance and tools for data quality and reporting. The role involves enhancing the capacity of healthcare workers and surveillance focal points in data collection, analysis, and use for decision-making, and developing capacity-building resources. Additionally, the consultant will support the creation of a joint epidemic intelligence report to synthesize surveillance data, improve situational awareness, and inform coordinated public health actions across PICs.

Work Experience

Essential: Minimum of five years of practical experience in disease surveillance and outbreak response, with at least one year in an international setting, preferably in the Pacific or with Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, data collection, data management, surveillance system software, and data visualization tools. Experience in outbreak response, including developing epidemiological updates. Desirable: Relevant work experience within WHO, UN agencies, or international NGOs.

Skills

Disease surveillance, outbreak response, capacity building, data analysis, data management, EWARS implementation, public health decision-making, technical guidance, training development, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), data visualization tools.

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