Environmental Surveillance Consultant at World Health Organization (WHO)

The In-country Environmental Surveillance Consultant will support the WHO surveillance team on Environmental Surveillance.  He / She may also be deployed to facilitate other Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance (VPDS) and outbreak response.

Summary of assigned duties:

• Support the country surveillance team to develop a comprehensive ES plan that is integrated into the country surveillance plan and monitor the progress of its implementation.
• Monitor ES performance in the country and identify challenges and opportunities to achieving optimal performance for appropriated actions.
• Conduct quarterly ES desk review and share the result with the country team and the region.
• Conduct regular supervisory visits to areas with ES sites with particular focus to poor performing sites for appropriate intervention.
• Build capacity of personnel on ES in the overall context of VPD surveillance.
• Conduct investigation of poor performing ES sites and take appropriate action in conjunction with the country team and the region.
• Ensure timely ES sample collection in all sites and shipment of samples to reach the laboratory within 3 days of sample collection.
• Collaborate with the country surveillance team and the region to expand and optimize ES, especially in high-risk areas
• Collaborate with the country surveillance team to ensure the use of electronic data collection tools by supervisors
• Collaborate with the country surveillance team to regularly share ES feedback to all stakeholders in the country.
• Share up to date tools and Field Guidance for the Implementation of Environmental Surveillance for Poliovirus to all stakeholders including sample collectors.
• Collaborate with the country surveillance team to participate in other VPD surveillance and outbreak response activities.
• Collaborate with other relevant government institutions (e.g. Ministry of Environment) to improve and maintain the quality of ES sites.
• Write monthly and quarterly reports of activities and share with the country team and the region
• Undertake other assignments and responsibilities as requested by the country surveillance team, head of country office and the regional office.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

• Educational Qualifications: Advanced university degree in epidemiology, health sciences, medicine/veterinary sciences or a related discipline that includes environmental health.
• Experience: At least Five years relevant experience at national and international levels in implementation of public health surveillance including Envoronmental Surveillance, outbreak investigation and response, and epidemiology.

Skills/languages:

• Good computer skills in Microsoft office, and statistical packages.
• Demonstrated excellent writing ability to produce engaging and scientifically accurate communication materials. 
• Ability to synthesize information in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to understand technical issues in the field of public health surveillance including Environmental Surveillance. 
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environment. 
• Excellent organizational skills combined with the ability to multi-task and produce accurate results under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, tact and discretion, sound judgement and initiative
• Expert knowledge of English/French and basic knowledge of the country of assignment