Short-Term Surveillance System Strengthening Consultant

Request for Consultancy – Suriname, Paraguay, Ecuador

TEPHINET Background:

Training Programs in Epidemiology & Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET) is a global network of field epidemiology training programs (FETPs) founded in June 1997 with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Foundation Merieux. With a secretariat based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, TEPHINET is the only global network of field epidemiology training programs, spanning multiple regional networks, sub-regional programs, and national programs around the world. Overall, TEPHINET comprises 75 programs in more than 100 countries. Currently, there are more than 19,000 FETP graduates around the world. For more information, visit TEPHINET’s website: https://www.tephinet.org

Overview:

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the urgent need for countries to strengthen surveillance systems, particularly related to respiratory disease detection, to limit the further spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Event-based surveillance (EBS), a key component of an Early Warning and Response (EWAR) system, is the organized and rapid capture of information about events that are a potential risk to public health. This information can be rumors and other ad-hoc reports transmitted through both formal and informal channels. EBS, as part of a country’s broader, more comprehensive surveillance system, can contribute to arresting the additional spread of COVID-19, even during containment and mitigation periods of the pandemic, while also building preparedness for future events of public health importance. **

*General Scope of Work

The consultant will be hired to work in a single country and supervised by TEPHINET. The consultant will work closely with the Global Health Sciences (GHS) team, Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s South American Regional office in Brazil. The TEPHINET consultant will engage with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other relevant entities in-country to cultivate working relationships, evaluate current country surveillance capacity, and explore opportunities for subsequent CDC engagement related to enhancing capacity to conduct early warning surveillance, detection, and response to events of public health significance in South America, including COVID-19.**

This may include activities like meetings with stakeholders, advocating for event-based and early warning surveillance strengthening, and mapping the current surveillance structures in the country, particularly those elements focused on COVID-19 surveillance. Additional country-specific activities may also be identified during the contract and the consultant will be expected to carry out these activities effectively.

*Expected Outcomes. Under the strategic direction of the GHS team and CDC Regional Office, the consultant will:*

1. Describe the current surveillance system operating in-country in its entirety, producing associated summaries/visuals as applicable

2. Identify opportunities for GHS Team and CDC Regional Office to provide technical support to the country around early warning surveillance systems strengthening

3. Lay the groundwork, including relationship building, for potential future GHS Team and CDC engagement in-country

Required Skills and Experience **

· University degree in public health, epidemiology, or related field; or FETP graduate

· At least one year of experience in epidemiology, public health surveillance, or related field

· Desired familiarity with public health surveillance infrastructure/systems, including any previous experience working with the Ministry of Health or similar partners in this area

· Demonstrated ability to interact successfully in complex, sometimes sensitive, situations involving technical, cultural, and political elements

· Strong analytical and organizational skills

· Full professional fluency in English and the country’s official language

· Desirable: Consultant should also be physically located in the country in which he/she is working

Contract Period: July 2021 – September 2021

This position is grant conditional with a completion date of September 30th, 2021. The contract may be extended, depending on an evaluation of consultant activities in September and available funds.

Who can apply:

Independent consultants with a background in public health surveillance.

When to apply:

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 15, 2021. Required documents for submission:

· Background/qualifications (Resume, Curriculum Vitae)

· Cover Letter including a summary of applicable work experience

· Consultant fees requirement

How to apply: Please submit required documents, your preference on the location of work (Ecuador, Paraguay, or Surname), and/or any questions you may have to Lena Mutuiri, Project Manager, at [email protected]. Please copy (cc) [email protected] on the email.