Purpose of consultancy

To provide a variety of technical deliverables for the World Health Organization headquarters (WHO/HQ), Essential Programme on Immunization (EPI) Unit within the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (IVB).

To contribute and provide technical and scientific expertise related to operational guidance tools for programme assessment and strengthening, and tools for understanding Behavioural and Social Drivers (BeSD) of Vaccination.

Contributions will be incorporated by WHO into a varity of specific technical and high visibility outputs that include guidance, tools, templates, documents and reports.

Background  

The mission of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (IVB) is to promote the health and well-being of all people, in all countries, by advancing the impact of vaccines and immunization programmes through partnership and leadership, policies and guidance, and evidence and research.  

Within IVB, the EPI Unit is dedicated to strengthening vaccine programmes and delivery, to help ensure universal access to all relevant vaccines for all populations across the life course. Efforts to achieve high uptake rely on the gathering and use of local data to inform the implementation of tailored strategies to equitably improve immunization systems and primary care.

In late 2021, WHO recommended the systematic collection and analysis of data of behavioural and social drivers of vaccination to guide programme planning and to contribute to global reporting. Since publication of the resulting WHO Position Paper and BeSD tools and guidanceWHO Position Paper in May 2022, work has been underway to actively support use of the BeSD surveys, indicators and interview guides, and establish a package of related digital forms, templates and frameworks to facilitate the process of analyzing and routinely using data on BeSD.

For added insights about root causes of low uptake, WHO recommends that data on BeSD is gathered and used in conjunction with other programme assessments and routine monitoring, facilitating comparative analysis with a variety of other data sources such as coverage, surveillance and supply. Given current trends and threats to uptake, specialist technical assistance is rapidly expanding to support Regions and Countries to integrate BeSD into existing data collection platforms and programme planning processes.

A roster of consultants is needed to support the expansion of the BeSD package and scale-up of technical assistance to countries for collection, analyses and use of data.

Deliverables

Specific deliverables will be pre-defined for each consultancy. Consultants are expected to contribute to assignments and perform a variety of tasks related to:

• Development of new BeSD tools for specific vaccines or populations, for example Human Papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination, migrants and refugees, drawing on global evidence, expertise and experiences.
• Field-testing and validation of draft tools, including coordination with local research partners and provision of specialist support for data collection, analyses and reporting.
• Analyses of EPI review reports and development of updated EPI review tools, particularly in relation to incorporation of BeSD tools into updated EPI review tools.
• Development of practical guidance, frameworks and templates for countries and partners to facilitate standardized gathering and use of BeSD data together with other programme data sources.
• Conduct rapid evidence reviews using systematic processes to identify and collate relevant knowledge on existing validated tools and effective interventions.
• Collaboration with WHO staff members, partners and experts in preparation of technical updates and consultations, including preparation of technical presentations and production of technical background materials and reports.
• Documentation on the outcomes of efforts to develop, test and validate the new global tools and guidance on BeSD and related programme review instruments.
• Track and document country experiences on use of BeSD data for planning and implementation.
• Contribution to the provision of technical guidance, facilitation and communications with WHO regional and country focal points related to the programmatic implementation, evaluation and scale-up of BeSD tools.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Band Level B: A first university degree in health psychology, health behaviours, social science, medical anthropology, public health or similar.
   
• Band Level C: An advanced university degree in health psychology, health behaviours, social science, medical anthropology, public health or similar.

Experience

Essential:

• For Band level B: 5-10 years of relevant work experience in public health, immunization, and behavioural or social sciences.
• For band level C: Over 10 years of relevant work experience in public health, immunization, and behavioural or social sciences.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated experience in collection, analysis and use of behavioural data to guide public health programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting complex projects with multiple elements in diverse geographies.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing technical presentations and developing supporting materials, reports, documentation and case examples.
• Demonstrated working relations with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
• Demonstrated experience in working with a large global health entity, for example, WHO, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), or similar organization.

Skills: 

Essential:

• Knowledge of immunization programmes at global, regional and country levels.
• Familiarity with existing documents and WHO recommendations for EPI and BeSD.
• Excellent skills in writing and drafting technical documents.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including working with multiple stakeholders in diverse locations.
• Ability to work independently and proactively, with strong project management and coordination skills.

Languages required:

Essential:  

• Expert knowledge of English. 

Desirable:

• Expert knowledge of French and/or other UN languages.

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.
Band level C - USD 10,000 - 12,500 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 up to 6 months.
Subsequent contracts may be offered subject to satisfactory performance, continued need and confirmed funding.

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