.Area of expertise:  National Consultant for Public Health and Laboratory Support

1. Purpose of consultancy:

Under the direct supervision of the Health Operations Manager and the WHO Representative (WR), the national consultant will support the World Health Organization (WHO) Romania in engaging with key national stakeholders. This includes activities related to the implementation of Surveillance Information Sharing Operational Tool (SIS OT) and the Coordinated Surveillance System (CSS). The consultant will also facilitate the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the human and animal health sectors concerning the exchange of information between the respective laboratories. Additionally, the consultant will provide technical support to the WHO Country Office in organizing assessment visits to regional National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) and National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) laboratories and will monitor the timely reporting of ongoing and completed activities under the project.

2. Background:  

The COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine have highlighted the urgent need to enhance national and subnational health emergency preparedness and response in the region. Improving collaboration between health and other sectors in Romania is crucial to the multisectoral approach supported by the International Health Regulations (IHR). Strengthening laboratory support and information sharing are essential components of emergency preparedness.

A critical aspect of emergency preparedness in Romania is reinforcing adherence to the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), which mandates that all countries prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies of international concern promptly. In November 2020, the World Health Assembly resolution WHA73.8, titled “Strengthening Preparedness for Health Emergencies: Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005),” emphasized the necessity of adopting a comprehensive all-hazards, multisectoral, and coordinated approach to health emergencies preparedness.

3. Deliverables:

• Liaise with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, partner organizations, and other key stakeholders, to ensure project objectives are aligned and progress is monitored.
• Identify and address existing gaps and needs in the national laboratory system and within the surveillance and information-sharing processes between human and animal health institutions.
• Facilitate collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders, such as government agencies, public health departments, veterinary services, environmental agencies, and other relevant sectors.
• Facilitate the planning and technical coordination of the joint intersectoral Sharing Operational Tool (SIS OT) workshops according to the agenda and framework established by the SIS OT Working Group.
• Engage stakeholders from both sectors, including laboratory directors, public health officials, veterinarians, and other experts, through targeted consultations to gather input, feedback, and suggestions for refining the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) framework.
• Provide technical guidance on the development of a preliminary MoU framework outlining key components such as objectives, scope, roles and responsibilities, data sharing protocols, confidentiality measures, and coordination mechanisms.
• Incorporate stakeholders’ feedback and revisions into the final MoU document to ensure clarity, comprehensiveness, and alignment with regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Inform regional NIPH and ANSVSA laboratories about upcoming assessment visits, discuss the purpose and scope, and solicit their cooperation and support.
• Formulate assessment teams with qualified experts in laboratory management, quality assurance, biosafety, and other relevant areas.
• Facilitate onsite assessment visits to regional NIPH and ANSVSA laboratories, where teams will evaluate laboratory facilities, equipment, procedures, staff competence, quality management systems, biosafety measures, and compliance with standards and guidelines.
• Support project management and the WHO Country Office (WCO) in the timely and efficient reporting of ongoing and completed activities through quarterly reports.
• Participate in monthly and as needed teleconferences with WHO and the Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) team monitor project implementation.

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages:

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:  University degree in medicine, emergency medicine, epidemiology, public health, international health, or other relevant field.

Desirable: PhD in relevant field.

Experience:

Essential: 
At least 5 years of experience in public health, laboratory medicine, emergency medicine and/or relevant field. Work experience related to emergency response, outbreak response and related field.

Desirable: 
   * Experience working with WHO or UN Agencies
* Experience working with the national health institutions

Skills/Knowledge:
Essential:
   * Ability to work effectively within a team and deliver outputs within agreed deadline.
* Strong interpersonal skills and the capability to work independently without supervision.
* Demonstrated skills in managing collaborations across multiple organizations.
* Excellent presentation and communication skills, with a strong emphasis on writing.
* Strong analytical and organizational skills.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):
Essential:
* Fluency in Romanian
* Proficiency in English

Desirable: 
* Working knowledge of other UN official language

5. Location:

On-site: WHO Country Office, Romania/Bucharest

6. Travel:

The consultant is expected to travel as required by WHO

7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

a. Remuneration: RON 27,209 per month. (The pay band reflects the NO-B salary scale of the country, matched to the labour market in Romania)
b. Locally contracted consultant
c. Expected duration of contract: 11 months (1 October 2024- 31 August 2025)

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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• 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.
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•    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.
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Qualifications

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