International Consultant – Medical Entomologist - (2401769)
Contractual Arrangement: External consultant
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 8 months
: Mar 14, 2024, 6:09:30 AM
: Mar 28, 2024, 10:59:00 PM
: India-New Delhi
: SE/CDS Department of Communicable Diseases (CDS)
: Full-time
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.
..
Area of Expertise:
International Consultant – Medical Entomologist
Purpose of consultancy
Vectors are living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans. Mosquitoes are the best-known disease vector. Others include ticks, flies, sandflies, fleas and triatomine bugs. Vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 1 million deaths annually. Vector-borne diseases are prevalent and major public health problems in the South-East Asia Region. These include, among others, mosquito-borne diseases (e.g. malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, lymphatic filariasis), sandfly-borne disease (kala-azar) and mite and tick-borne diseases (scrub typhus, tick typhus, other rickettsial diseases). The South-East Asia Region has become hyperendemic with dengue, with over 6-fold increase of cases since 2000 and recurrent large outbreaks in many countries in the Region. Malaria is endemic in all countries in the SEA Region except Maldives and Sri Lanka, which have been recognized malaria-free since 1984 and 2016, respectively. Of the 793 million people globally at risk of lymphatic filariasis, 479 million reside in the South-East Asia Region. The Indian sub-continent used to account for 70% of the global burden of kala-azar, with on average about 42,000 cases every year between 2004 and 2008. However, the tremendous efforts to eliminate the disease led to reduction of the number of new cases reduced by 97% in the last decade.
Vector control is one of the WHO recommended strategies for prevention and control of dengue and other arboviral diseases and elimination of malaria, lymphatic filariasis and Kala-azar. It aims to interrupt disease transmission by reducing the vector density and man-vector contacts. Entomological surveillance is essential for effective vector control strategies as it provides real-time data on vector populations, their behaviour, and resistance patterns. It is also essential to assess and monitor impacts of other interventions on local disease transmission and to detect transmission foci or recrudescence of transmission even in the post-elimination phase. While both strategies require vector-specific entomological knowledge and skills to implement effectively, vector control and surveillance is well suited for integrated approaches because some vectors are responsible for multiple diseases, and some interventions are effective against several vectors. The concept of integrated vector management (IVM) hence has been progressively promoted in the Region to optimize and rationalize the use of resources and tools for vector control. Given the fact that entomological capacity is progressively decreasing across the Region and even globally in recent years, strengthening and sustaining national entomological capacity in an integrated approach is considered as one of the priority areas of the Global Vector Control Response 2017–2030 (GVCR) to accelerate control and elimination of VBDs.
WHO-SEARO is looking for qualified entomologists who have profound field experience in the following aspects to be part of the Regional roster to provide relevant technical support to Member States in the South-East Asia Region as required:
Background
Under the direct technical guidance and supervision of RA-NTD and overall supervision of the Director, Department of Communicable Diseases in WHO-SEARO, the consultant will support NTD and malaria programmes by performing the following duties:
Deliverables
S. No.
Deliverable
Expected delivery date
Output 1
1.1. A concise summary of key findings from vector control needs assessment in Member States to guide entomological capacity strengthening in the Region
1.2. Draft Regional work plan to strengthen entomological surveillance and vector control for prevention and control of dengue and other arboviral diseases in the South-East Asia Region, including social and behaviorial change communication (SBCC), community engagement, intersectoral collaboration and research.
1.3. A draft agenda and detailed plan of a Regional workshop for integrated field entomology and IVM training to be convened in Q4 2024
30 June 2024
Output 2
2.1. Draft operational booklet for Member States on entomological surveillance and vector control, including key innovation and research priorities, based on global guidance.
2.2. Draft operational booklet for Member States to enhance the management and judicious use of public health pesticides, based on global guidance.
31 August 2024
Output 3
3.1. Country-specific reports detailing the entomological capacity situation, key players/stakeholders, support provided for vector control field operations and remaining gaps and priorities.
3.2. Final technical report on the participation in meetings, project assessments, internal and external evaluation missions, and other appraisals, with the preparation of relevant technical documents and reports summarizing findings, recommendations, and action plans as required.
30 November 2024
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:
Essential: University degree in biological sciences, medicines or other related areas, with postgraduate degree in entomology, medical entomology and/or public health vector control.
Desirable: Relevant degree or qualification in the field of public health and disease control.
Experience
Essential: Up to 5 years of work experience in vector-borne disease elimination and control focusing on vector control and entomological surveillance, some of which in an international context.
Desirable: Experience working on vector borne disease elimination and control focusing on vector control and entomological surveillance in developing countries. Experience on dengue prevention and control is an asset.
Skills/Knowledge:
Expert level technical knowledge and skills in planning, organization and conduct of field operations of entomological surveillance and vector control for vector borne disease elimination and control.
Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced):
English at expert level required (Read - Write - Speak)
Location:
Off-site
Travel
The Consultant may be required to travel to WHO-Headquarters, Geneva and participating countries for meetings related to the projects.
Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
Remuneration: Band Level – A; Monthly remuneration from USD 3955 to USD 6980
Living expenses: N/A
Expected duration of contract (tentative): 8 Months
Additional Information: