World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
The purpose of this consultancy is to contribute to the implementation of technical activities and to the creation of business analysis artefacts.
The consultant will ensure the effective delivery of technology related elements and proper requirements management for several Data Science for Public Health Intelligence related initiatives.
The consultant will work with topic area leads and teams, in the Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence System (ISY) Department within Division of Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems (WSE).
One of WSE´s goals it to improve the digital landscape with a dedicated portfolio of projects through the design, development and integration of several Data Science for Public Health Intelligence initiatives.
Examples of Data Science for Public Health Intelligence initiatives include but are not limited to:
The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks to contain outbreaks and provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. Early detection and mitigation of infectious, chemical, and radio nuclear hazards are at the core of the International Health Regulations (IHR).
The Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems division (WSE) is responsible to build a system of collaborative intelligence enabling better decisions to avert and manage public health threats and risks. Its goal is to enable, strengthen and support countries, regional and global actors in averting and managing public health threats and risks through collaborative problem solving and decision-making for short-term action and long-term policies, informed by better data and analytics.
Deliverables
Output 1: Well-defined project plans (one for each of the assignments) to include milestones and budget along with a comprehensive tracking system to monitor project and report on project at the defined and agreed upon dates.
Delivery date: 15 March 2025
Activity 1: Collaborate with the technical team to develop a comprehensive project plan, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.
Activity 2: Conduct regular project planning meetings to ensure alignment and understanding of project goals among team members.
Activity 3: Prepare regular financial and progress reports for review by project sponsors and stakeholders.
Output 2: Well-defined product backlog for the Data Science related projects.
Delivery date: 15 May 2025
Activity 1: Conduct requirements elicitation interviews and workshops with the project key stakeholders.
Activity 2: Organize the requirements into a prioritized product backlog.
Activity 3: Work closely with the project lead and data scientist on defining the best technical solution.
Activity 4: Measure project progress, revise the product backlog as needed, and support the team in communicating and coordinating with stakeholders.
Output 3: Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Public Health Intelligence.
Delivery date: 30 June 2025
Activity 1: Conduct regular meetings with project key stakeholders that can provide input and feedback on the document.
Activity 2: Coordinate the copy-editing, design, translation and publication processes.
Output 4: Proofs of concepts of practical data science and AI applications for collaborative surveillance.
Delivery date: 30 July 2025
Activity 1: Conduct requirements elicitation interviews and workshops with the project key stakeholders to select and document suitable PoCs.
Activity 2: Organize the requirements into a prioritized product backlog.
Activity 3: Work closely with the project lead and data scientist on defining the best technical solution.
Activity 4: Measure project progress, revise the product backlog as needed, and support the team in communicating and coordinating with stakeholders.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
Essential:
Minimum first university degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Project Management, Business Administration, Computer Science or related fields.
Experience
Essential:
5 to 10 years of relevant experience working in information technology, project management, business analysis or international development including health emergencies related projects.
Skills/Knowledge
Essential:
Excellent coordination and project management skills, including ability to work with wide range of stakeholders across the spectrum of government, donors, technical partners, civil society, humanitarian actors, and other expanded partners
Proactive identification, reporting and resolution/mitigation of issues and risks
Political acumen and ability to drive change and improvements in challenging, inter-cultural and complex environments
Excellent interpersonal negotiation skills, including ability to problem solve and manage conflict, including with senior counterparts at government level and amongst Gavi partners
Excellent communication skills
Languages and level required
Essential:
Expert knowledge of English
Desirable:
Intermediate knowledge of another UN official language.