International Consultant - Field Epidemiology Training Programmes (FETPs)

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2604473
• Contractual arrangement: External consultant
• Contract duration: 6 months
• Organization: EM/WHE WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE)
• Schedule: Part-time
• Closing date: Oct 29, 2026, 12:59:00 AM

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

 

1.       Area of expertise : 

       International Consultant - Field Epidemiology Training Programmes (FETPs)

2.       Purpose of consultancy  

The consultant is expected to work with WHE/ISO to provide specialized technical support to WHO EMRO for strengthening the quality, implementation and sustainability of FETPs across the Eastern Mediterranean Region

3.       Background  

Field Epidemiology Training Programmes (FETPs) are an important mechanism for strengthening national and regional capacities for surveillance, outbreak investigation, risk assessment, and response to public health emergencies. Through competency-based and field-oriented training, FETPs contribute to developing a sustainable public health workforce capable of detecting and responding to emerging and ongoing health threats.

The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO) is supporting Member States to establish, strengthen and institutionalize FETPs according to national needs and public health priorities. This includes technical support to newly established and evolving programmes, including those in Syria and Kuwait, as well as other countries requesting assistance.

At the regional level, WHO EMRO is also working towards the establishment of a Regional Advanced FETP to strengthen advanced epidemiological competencies and develop a cadre of public health professionals capable of addressing complex, cross-border and regional public health threats.

To ensure programme quality and sustainability, there is also a need for a standardized approach to assess FETP implementation, performance and institutionalization and to identify areas requiring improvement.

WHO EMRO therefore seeks the services of a consultant to support the development and piloting of an FETP programme assessment tool; provide technical assistance for the establishment and implementation of FETPs in countries; and support the design and establishment of the Regional Advanced FETP.

4.       Deliverables

a.       Output 1:  Develop and Launch a Pilot for an FETP Programme Assessment Tool  

• Deliverable 1.1: Conduct a desk review of existing FETP assessment frameworks, standards and relevant tools developed by WHO and other recognized technical partners.
• Deliverable 1.2: Develop a standardized and adaptable FETP programme assessment tool covering key programme components,
• Deliverable 1.3: Validate and examine the assessment tool in one selected country.

         ·    Deliverable 1.4: Prepare a final pilot assessment report, including recommendations and proposed next steps     for broader regional application.

 

b.      Output 2: Provide Technical Support to Country FETPs

• Deliverable 2.1: Provide technical support to program implementation in selected countries.
• Deliverable 2.2: Provide technical support to the development and strengthening of mentorship systems.
• Deliverable 2.3: Facilitate or co-facilitate FETP workshops, mentorship training and other capacity-building activities.

 

c.       Output 3:  Establish the Regional Advanced FETP

• Deliverable 3.1: Lead a consultative dialoge with partners, national FETP program managers and Academia to develop Regional advanced FETP program.
• Deliverable 3.2: Support the development of the overall programme plan including framework, objectives and implementation approach.
• Deliverable 3.3 Provide documentation for the progress of the consultative dialogue.

 

5.       Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

 

- Qualifications required:            

Essential: An advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in epidemiology, public health or in a related field from a recognized institution 

Desirable: Specialized training in field epidemiology, specialized training in emergency/humanitarian response

- Experience required:

Essential: from 5 to 10 years of experience in communicable disease surveillance and response to outbreaks/emergencies

Desirable: Previous work experience with WHO  

 

- Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

- Good knowledge of WHO mandate and goals and the UN programs;

               - Proven ability to communicate effectively.  Excellent communication and writing skills;

               - Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment;

                - Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure. 

                - Tact, discretion and diplomacy

 

- Language requirements:

 

    Essential: Expert knowledge of English

 

6.       Location

             The consultant is expected to work remotely (off site).

7.       Travel

              Selected consultant may be deployed for surge in any EMR countries for outbreak response to support on    the ISO work (as written on Work to be performed).

 

8.       Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

a.       Remuneration: Band level B

b.       Expected duration of contract: 6 months – Part-time

·       This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

·       The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to  reasonableaccommodation@who.int

·       An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
• WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates   .