Adres1.Purpose of consultancy
This consultancy will focus on providing technical support to the WCO and Ministry of Health (MoH) to conduct a literature review including national/regional and global data on the influenza disease burden in Jordan for prioritization - identified by the national authorities using the publication related to social behavior and vaccine hesitancy to be used in policy development to strengthen community engagement, knowledge translation and infodemic management capacities for influenza.
2.Background
WHO helps countries to prepare for and respond to a wide range of public health events through its programs on infectious diseases epidemiological and laboratory surveillance. Through these programs WHO facilitates collaboration with partners in various sectors and builds on each country’s existing initiatives, to strengthen core capacities and help countries to meet their IHR commitments.
In recent years emphasis has been placed on the need for inclusive and Community-based analysis and approach to manage the overwhelming amount of information and reduce its potential negative impact on health behaviors during emergencies.
Several initiatives supported by WHO took place in Jordan to strengthen the collaboration efforts among partners and sectors. Collaboration was established between the Ministry of Health, JCDC, RMS, and academia (Animal Health Sector) to update and strengthen RCCE for seasonal influenza based on social science and behavioral change to decrease resistance and increase the IV uptake.
This highlights the need to continue investment in RCCE, and the opportunity to build capacities for science translation and infodemic management.
The consultant in coordination with all relevant stakeholders (researchers, responders, student associations, community associations, decision-makers) and WCO communication experts will develop a network and platform to deliver appropriate messages to a wide audience without misleading and enable members in the community to take responsible actions to protect themselves and others.
3.Work to be performed.
Output 1: Conduct a national literature review by collecting disease-specific information for humans, regarding transmission, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, economic impacts, pandemic and epidemic potential, , prevention and control measures, and outbreak information at the country level.
Deliverable 2.1: A comprehensive analysis sheet for Influenza diseases and vaccines for prioritization developed based on the indicators being collected, the availability of national data, and the number of national publications.
Deliverable 2.2: One-day introductory session organized for academic partners and MOH, officials to agree on the process, list, and review results.
Deliverable 2.3: One-day consultation session with all national stakeholders to strengthen the network for country surge capacity (national social scientists, national vaccine communication experts).
Output 2: Strengthen the national scientific network involving researchers including national health scientists, specialists in communication science and information technology for the digital society, media professionals, health promoters, and decision-makers.
Deliverables: 2.1 Train responsible for national Community Protection in infodemic management including its use during acute respiratory pathogen events such as seasonal influenza.
Deliverables: 2.2 Support MOH is updating the RCCE component (risk communication systems, stakeholders’ coordination, public communication mechanisms, community engagement, and misinformation management mechanism) for pandemic preparedness, including understanding risk perception for tailored risk communication to high-risk groups.
Output 3 Develop national Behavioural and Social Drivers of Influenza Vaccination BeSD IV sampling frame, and Provide data and analytic support, as requested, to MOH for their use in identifying behavior and social drivers for influenza vaccination locally.
Deliverable3.1Develop standard study protocol including sampling plan, sample size calculations, guidance regarding site & sub-population/target group selection, study timelines, and data analysis plans.
Deliverable 3.2: Ensure that all data -is aggregated into the MOH database.
Deliverable 3.3:Analyse aggregate data, evaluating validity, reliability, and stability of questions and response options samples (language, demographics, region); compile qualitative feedback from interviewees, and produce a summary report.
Deliverable 3.4 Develop Country-specific and summary reports shared with MOH and WHO points of contact.
4.Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:
Education:
Essential: an advanced university degree /master’s degree in the medical field or health-related field or in behavioral and social science monitoring and devaluation.
Experience:
Essential:
-At least 7 years of professional experience in research writing in the fields of epidemiology, Public Health, or any related field. In addition, demonstrated experience in facilitating effective communication between relevant national stakeholders.
-Proven experience in preparing manuscripts and medical-related publications and managing both projects. A strong background in both quantitative and qualitative research is essential, along with a track record of publications in reputable international journals.
-Practical Experience in local data collection, analysis, surveys, forecasting, and performing analysis.
Desirable:
Proven national experience in engaging stakeholders from academic institutions, as well as drafting national policies and conducting program evaluations, conducting evidence analytical studies.
Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:
§Social science, epidemiology: Data analysis, surveillance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Quantitative data analysis, data modeling.
§Training Skills.
§Excellent Report writing skills in English and Arabic.
§Publications on related topics are highly desirable.
§Effective Utilization of available Surveillance Data for publication purposes.
Languages and level required:
Excellent in Arabic and English (Read - Write - Speak)
5.Location
Amman - Jordan
6.Planned timelines (Subject to confirmation)
Start date:01 April 2024
End date: 29 September 2024
7.Medical clearance
The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
8.Travel
Travel is not needed.
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.
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