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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

To contribute to the global NCD population-based surveys and contribute to updating of existing tools and development of new tools to improve population-based surveillance of NCDs and risk factors.  

Background 

The main objective of the Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting (SMR) Unit, within the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases is to support the collection, analysis and dissemination of country level noncommunicable diseases (NCD) and risk factor data to inform and improve public health policy. The SMR Unit focuses on developing global standards for NCDs and risk factors and provide technical support to countries which includes capacity building provided to countries implementing the various NCD-related surveillance systems. 
Within the SMR Unit is the Population-based sub team whose main focus is providing technical support to countries that are implementing their population-based surveys for NCDs.  
The population-based surveys include: the household adult NCD STEPS survey as well as the Global Adult Tobacco Survey; and the adolescent school based surveys, namely the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), Global School Health Policies and Practices Survey (GSHPPS) and the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS).  The tools used need to be continuously updated to improve their usability.  

Deliverables: 

• Provide technical expertise to countries with planning, implementation, data management and analysis, reporting and dissemination of their NCD population-based surveys such as STEPS, GSHS, GSHPPS, GYTS and GATS.
• Undertake a review of the NCD population-based survey questionnaires and instruments, processes and protocols to ensure they are kept up-to-date and relevant to NCD public health priorities.  
• Develop training materials for use in population based NCD surveys.
• Develop survey tools, instruments and protocols for complimentary facility based NCD surveys.
• Undertake reviews of equipment and procedures for point of care devices for the measurement of key NCD risk factors.
• Provide technical advice on data analysis and reporting of cross-country survey results.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in epidemiology, social sciences, biostatistics or related subject.

Experience

Essential:

• Over five years’ experience working in epidemiology or epidemiological surveillance conducting population-based surveys, with at least one year of international experience.  
• At least one year of experience in NCD population-based surveillance.  
• Practical experience in low- and middle-income countries focusing on the design, development and implementation of population-based surveys. 
• Experience managing logistics of survey implementation and conducting epidemiological field work.
• Experience with NCD risk factor surveillance in population-based settings.
• Experience in training and technical support for survey implementation.

Skills/knowledge

Essential:

• Strong organization skills.
• Knowledge of data analysis packages (eg R, Stata, epi info) used for analysing population based survey data.
• Ability to work as a member of a team with good communication skills.
• Ability to work in multicultural team and maintain an effective working relationship with recognized experts and stakeholders.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of another UN language.

Location 

Off-site – Home based. 

Travel 

The consultant is expected 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: 

Contract duration varies from 1 to 11 months depending on individual tasks.

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.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• 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 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 final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever 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.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html

For roster VNs:

The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.