Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) – IM/GIS consultant, Conakry, Guinea

Background

Large-scale epidemics and pandemics pose a serious threat not only to global health security but also to countries, communities and individuals in their efforts to achieve resilience. Epidemics and pandemics affect all sectors, impacting routine health services, economic and food security, trade, education, civil order, communication, transportation, and many other areas of life. The threat of emerging infectious diseases, including those of zoonotic origin, and the increasing prevalence of diseases previously controlled by antimicrobials and vaccination efforts, is a cause for concern to the global health community. Communities play an important role in prevention, early detection and early response with regard to this threat.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a new programme targeting community centric epidemic and pandemic preparedness utilising an all of society all hazard approach. This programme builds on existing tools and actions being taken by Red Cross members but also external partners. A number of projects will occur within the programme focused on three workstreams: Community Preparedness, National Society Preparedness and Private Sector and Key Stakeholders Engagement.

Objective of the consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to support the IFRC and its partners strengthen the ability of communities and civil society groups to prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats and play a central and significant role in preparing for future health and disaster risks. As part of the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) in Guinea, the Guinea Red Cross will work with the IFRC, the American Red Cross, government entities, anthropologists, social scientists, civil society groups on three key areas of data readiness: data preparedness, data literacy, and data for decision-making. Since 2018 the program prioritized research and collaboration with partners to understand the availability and access of key datasets in Guinea and collected geographic data in some key CP3 program areas. The CP3 program aims to collect and release key datasets and to produce digital visualization tools, as needed, that will help responders at all levels to better understand where and why disease threats exist and thrive and to better prepare for them.

Moving forward the consultancy will

1) continue research and collaborate with partners to open existing and available datasets to support access to secondary data

2) identify geographic data gaps and organize community mapping activities to add features to OpenStreetMap

3) align activities to the Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) thematic areas (such as Public Health in Emergencies, Emergency Operations Center, etc.,) and support strengthening data and digital capacities and support long term capacity building (link to Data Playbook modules).

4) Contribute to knowledge management and learning activities

Priority datasets include geographic base data (i.e. roads, administrative boundaries, etc.), social and cultural determinants of health (i.e. access to clean water, proximity to health facilities, etc). These datasets will be finalized in coordination with local stakeholders and with guidance from the IFRC, the Guinea Red Cross, and the American Red Cross. The consultant will take validated and approved (permissions granted) data layers and work with Red Cross partners to upload these to OpenStreetMap, Healthsites, and HDX, as appropriate.

The consultant will engage with local partners, government actors, and other NGOs to promote open data and community mapping within the region, and solicit stakeholder input into data needs to ensure that mapping results in useful products and synergistic inputs for Red Cross programmes. The IM/GIS Consultant will receive close technical support from the IFRC and the American Red Cross’ GIS and Information Management unit. Any datasets that are validated and have appropriate permissions will be uploaded to accessible data platforms such as OpenStreetMap, Healthsites.io, and HDX, as appropriate, in coordination with Red Cross partners.

The IM/GIS consultant will cover the project work in Guinea and may be based in Conakry with regional travel in order to engage with government and non-governmental partners working in the region.

Expected outcomes and deliverables

1. Complete categorization of the data grid that represents key datasets and their availability/access clearly documented.

○ Review the current state of the data grid and identify gaps in scale, user permissions, and coverage.

○ Build and maintain relationships with the IFRC, Guinea Red Cross, American Red Cross, government ministries and partner organizations to collect relevant datasets

○ Meet with relevant ministries (Ministries of Health, Geographic Information, Census, etc) to determine relevant datasets

○ Work with officials to allow for sharing and dissemination of data using appropriate licenses

○ Work with Red Cross partners to validate data to ensure data quality

○ Arrange that data is received in a universally accessible, and if possible, a machine-readable format to allow for data analysis

○ Assist in determining the best way for data to be disseminated and visualized

○ Practice responsible data management for sensitive datasets

○ Work with Red Cross partners to ensure that when data are produced, they are validated, uploaded to the relevant databases, and easily accessed (e.g. OpenStreetMap, Humanitarian Data Exchange, etc.)

2. Organize mapping activities to add key geographic features where data gaps exist and to promote an ecosystem of open data in the region.

○ Consult on strategy and methods for mapping vulnerable areas, as identified by Red Cross partners, in OpenStreetMap.

○ Build a data culture in the National Society and with partners to support the regular addition of geographic components to survey design, but also to a process of consistent updates to important geographic features.

○ Develop resources to support continuation of data collection and capacity building in data literacy.

○ Engage the community to provide validation of key geographic datasets, such as verifying education and health facilities.

○ Engage with volunteers and partner organizations to educate people about the value of open data and mapping as key infrastructure for humanitarian/development efforts

○ Ensure that all appropriate geographic data are uploaded to OpenStreetMap or other relevant, accessible repositories

○ Support local OpenStreetMap communities to encourage local mapping.

○ Work closely with Red Cross partners to support the project’s collaborative partnerships with other Red Cross / Red Crescent National Societies, HOT, MSF, the World Bank, local government agencies, and other relevant entities.

3. Integrate data preparedness activities into Red Cross processes to strengthen data use

○ Identify areas within the National Society to develop guidelines and resources for increasing data use (data collection and methodologies, data quality and format support, data storage and infrastructure, etc.)

○ Support data skills workshops or documentation of process to build continuity in interpreting and using data

○ Map activities to the data readiness framework and Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) framework

4. Contribute to knowledge management and learning activities

○ Produce and support case study development on data readiness activities

○ Design materials to communicate the impact of data readiness, challenges, and opportunities to leverage in learning sessions

5. Ensure timely submission of all required project reporting.

Management of the consultant

The consultant will be managed by the IFRC Grant Management Officer in Geneva, in close coordination with the IFRC CP3 Coordinator in Conakry. Technical guidance will be provided by the American Red Cross in Washington, DC.

Proposed time frame and location

Time frame: 1 April 2021 – 31 December 2021 (with possible extension based on available funding and candidate availability)

Maximum number of days: 195

Role balance guide:

▪ Project management – 30%

▪ Relationship Development and Data Research/Coordination – 60%

▪ Data analysis and reporting – 10%

Location: Conakry, Guinea – with regular travel to program implementation areas in Guinea.

Desirable Requirements

● Minimum of bachelor’s degree in geography, GIS, urban planning, or other related field

● Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of GIS. The position requires proficiency in ArcGIS or QGIS, online server-based GIS, and web-mapping. Graphic design skills and experience using Adobe Creative Suite and are strongly preferred

● Previous experience with community-based mapping and mapping trainings

● Extensive experience with OpenStreetMap (OSM) and engaging OSM volunteers

● Strong data analysis skills (Excel, Access, PostGIS, PostgreSQL, QGIS etc.)

● Previous experiences working with open data research and using platforms (i.e. HDX, USAID’s Demographic Health Surveys, etc.)

● Strong interest in using open source software and working to promote open data

● Minimum of five years of experience in project management; demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance to projects and in training/overseeing staff

● Willingness to travel within the project region for meetings with partners

● Fluency in English with strong report writing and verbal communication skills. French is also required.

● Strong interpersonal skills, negotiating with leaders, and public speaking abilities

● High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.

● Ability to work in an environment of diverse time zones, languages, and cultures

● Minimum of 3 years’ experience living and working in developing country contexts

● Prior experience with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, IFRC and/or ICRC is preferred