Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise for the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) vaccine impact estimates project.

Background

The overarching goal of the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) Vaccine Impact Estimates Project is to update the modelled estimates of vaccine impact for the coming decade and transparently document the methodology.

The WHO Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals (IVB) and its partners have generated the first iteration of IA2030 vaccine impact estimates which were submitted to the 74th World Health Assembly as part of the IA2030 Monitoring & Evaluation framework. The first iteration of estimates
has been used for setting the 10-year target for the Impact Goal indicator 1.1 (number of future deaths averted due to immunization from 2021-2030) of the IA2030 M&E framework as well as advocacy during the World Immunization Week 2021, and beyond. The same model has been used to track annual progress made to national-level vaccination coverage.

In preparation for the mid-term review of IA2030 in 2025, the project team has continued to work towards an expansion of the analysis scope, including additional pathogens, DALYs as an impact measure capturing morbidity, and non-routine immunization activities. The Team has developed novel analytical frameworks to leverage different types of data sources and models, especially as part of the global impact analysis commemorating the 50-year anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization.

In Q3 2025, the project team aims to update the target estimates for the Impact Goal indicator 1.1.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Reconcile the analytical frameworks and pipelines of previous analyses.
  Expected by 30 June 2024.
• Deliverable 2: Update the IA2030 coverage scenario(s) and a data set with input from internal and external partners to be developed.
  Expected by 30 September 2024.
• Deliverable 3: Fully incorporate into the analytical framework and code base the country-specific estimates of deaths, cases, and DALYs averted from vaccination against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, TB, and other pathogens covered by the Vaccine Impact Modelling Consortium (VIMC). Expected by 31 December 2024.
• Deliverable 4: Implement the methodological improvements.
  Expected by 31 March 2025.
• Deliverable 5: Prepare and deliver technical presentations at the Immunization and Vaccines-Related Implementation Research (IVIR-AC) September 2024 meeting, and at the February 2025 meeting.
  Expected by 31 August 2024 and by 31 January 2025.
• Deliverable 6: Prepare and deliver technical presentations to the IA2030 Stakeholder Committee meetings (2-3 meetings per year).
  Expected by 31 March 2025.
• Deliverable 7: Draft manuscript outline for the main analysis focusing on the midpoint target updates to be developed.
  Expected by 31 March 2025.
• Deliverable 8: Improve the documentation and reproducibility of the consolidated pipeline with the objective of running the model for annual reporting in future years.
  Expected by 31 March 2025.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health or other relevant field.

Experience

Essential:

• 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in quantitative data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in working with mathematical and/or statistical models to estimate vaccine impact.
• Extensive experience in mathematical modelling, statistics, data science, epidemiology, immunization, vaccine-preventable diseases or public health.
• Experience in preparing technical reports and manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated experience in producing vaccine impact estimates for global stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in working with international organizations or global initiatives.

Skills:

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Strong writing and data visualization skills.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate flexibility.
• Excellent data programming in R.
• Highly organized and strong project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize and work under pressure and to deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners.
• Ability to solve effectively analytical problems.

Languages required:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B – USD 7,000 – 9,980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 months.

Additional Information

• 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.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• 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 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 final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever 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.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html