WHO WPRO Field Epidemiology Fellowship Programme
Terms of Reference
Short-term Consultant as Epidemic Intelligence Officer
Eight to Ten Weeks Assignment
Objectives of the programme:
1. to support FET/P in Western Pacific countries in terms of event-based surveillance and risk assessment of potential public health threat;
2. to provide knowledge of event-based surveillance and risk assessment to the participants and strengthen capacity in Western Pacific countries; and
3. to promote collaboration and networking between the FET/P fellows in the Region.
Description of Activities to be Carried Out
Under the supervision of the Programme Area Manager, Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM):
1. Taking an all hazards approach, obtain, assess, monitor, and share information on acute public health events on behalf of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme at WPRO through:
Collection of official and unofficial information using event-based and indicator-based surveillance;
Verification of official and unofficial information through communications with Member States and WHO partners and research into available data and information;
Assessment of risk for an event prior to formal notification;
Presentation of potential and real events daily and weekly to the WHO colleagues outside of HIM; and
Dissemination of information through WHO communication systems and daily, weekly, and ad hoc reports.
2. Participate in risk assessments and situation analyses to:
Understand the risk assessment process and tools using multiple sources of information;
Undertake event notification of risk assessments on a daily basis;
Participate in rapid risk assessments;
Undertake a risk assessment of the potential for spread of a disease relevant to the FETP fellow's country of origin and the magnitude of impact on public health in that country (or, if relevant, within the Region).
3. Support the maintenance, updating, development and implementation of surveillance and assessment databases and tools used in detection, documentation and communication of all-hazard acute public health events, including event detection, outbreak investigation, and risk assessment;
4. Maintain, analyze and interpret surveillance data producing PowerPoint presentations, maps, figures and tables as required;
5. Identify a topic of interest before or during assignment and use this as the basis for an end of assignment exit presentation;
6. Provide an end of assignment report prior to departure; and
7. Carry out other activities as requested by the Programme Area Manager, Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment.
Qualifications
Eligible participants include those with the following qualifications:
- At least two of the followings:
Education: completion of a university or post-graduate degree in a public health field (e.g., MPH, MD, RN);
Training: basic or field epidemiology, preferably in FET/P or similar programme; and
Current (or expected future) position: national or sub-national government with active role in surveillance, risk assessment, outbreak investigation or emergency response.
- Competent in written and verbal English