Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 11 Dec 2015
Description:**
1. INTRODUCTION
HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) emerges when HIV replicates in the presence of antiretroviral drugs. With global scale-up of antiretroviral therapy, some degree of HIVDR is expected to emerge. Key to achieving an end to the AIDS epidemic is optimizing population-level HIV treatment and minimizing HIVDR. The HIVDR team, situated within the Treatment and Care (TAC) unit of the HIV Department, monitors emergence of HIVDR, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Assessments focus on monitoring of ART clinic-level factors correlated with HIVDR, so called early warning indicators (EWI) of HIVDR, and surveys estimating levels of pre-treatment, acquired and transmitted HIVDR and HIVDR in infants < 18 months of age.
Over the last decade, considerable HIVDR data has been generated. Data are currently managed using a combination of SharePoint and Microsoft EXCEL. The HIVDR team is actively transitioning to use of an SQL database to optimize its management needs.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
I. Purpose of this assignment
The contractual partner will have the responsibility to support the technical infrastructure and information management n related to the surveillance and monitoring of HIVDR.
II. Scope of Work
The assignment is estimated to be for 180 days over a 12 month period.
III. Outputs
- Data management of HIVDR surveillance information at WHO. Perform structure and preliminary content validation (quality review) as well as follow-up with countries to resolve data submission/quality issues.
- Assist in outreach to WHO regional and country offices to ensure timely reporting by countries of HIVDR/EWI monitoring plans and results.
- Perform descriptive analyses of HIVDR surveillance information for purpose of monitoring implementation of national/regional surveillance and monitoring plans.
- Provide technical assistance to participating countries concerning the submission, management and quality assurance of HIVDR surveillance and monitoring data.
- Data management for the HIVDR team MS SharePoint site and SQL database with support of the WHO IT and/or external contractual partners, if required.
- Support automated report functionality of SQL database by using inet-soft to generate reports from specifications provided by the WHO HIVDR team.
- Perform basic analytical analyses using STATA or other software of HIVDR survey or EWI data for the purpose of supporting global reporting
- Provide advice to WHO HIVDR team to understand the information system requirements for HIVDR surveillance and provide input to the design of supporting information technology tools
- Where relevant, support development and collation of written WHO-country data sharing agreements
- Develop test plans and test evolving WHO HIVDR database and report finding to WHO HIVDR team to support prioritization/development of bug fixing, enhancements, new functionality
- Complete import, verification and validation of all available data from surveys of transmitted HIVDR and surveys of acquired HIVDR using prospective survey methods
IV. Timeframe & Deliverables (estimate based on 15 days per month)
a) Quarterly reports summarizing:
· HIVDR-related data reviewed of content and quality and status of follow-up with regions/countries for any missing or poor quality data.
· Countries where outreach was provided for the purpose of obtaining country surveillance plans and data
· List of descriptive analyses of HIVDR surveillance performed.
· Technical assistance provided to participating countries concerning the submission, management and quality assurance of HIVDR surveillance and monitoring data.
· Report issues related to MS SharePoint site and SQL, if applicable
· List of reports generated from SQL using inet-soft or other business analysis tool as requested by the WHO HIVDR team.
· List of analyses performed using STATA or other software of HIVDR survey or EWI data for the purpose of supporting global reporting
· Report information system requirements for HIVDR surveillance and provide input to the design of supporting information technology tools
· List of developed data sharing agreements, by country, when relevant
· Written test plans and results of testing of WHO HIVDR database
· List of data from surveys/EWI for which import, verification and validation has been completed in the relevant quarter.
V. Performance monitoring
The contractor’s work will be supervised by the Technical Officer, Responsible for HIVDR (first-level supervisor), and by the Treatment and Care Coordinator (second-level supervisor), both in the HIV/AIDS Department.
The timeframe above includes deliverables against which performance will be monitored on a quarterly basis.
VI. Location and Travel
The contractual partner is expected to work at their place of residence. However, in the beginning of the contract for capacity building reasons temporary presence in WHO/HQ, Geneva, Switzerland may be required. Any duty travel related to this assignment will be organized separately, following the WHO Rules and Regulations on duty travel (not to be included in the proposal budget). The Contractor shall verify that he/she is legally entitled to travel to the country or countries where the work is to be carried out, including Switzerland.
3. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT
I. Education
Postgraduate or other advance degree in public health, epidemiology, statistics, or public health informatics
II. Skills and competencies
Essential:
· Good analytical skills, especially descriptive analyses
· Good knowledge of analytical software such as Stata (preferred), SAS or Epi Info
· Expert skills manipulating data into appropriate data sets for specific analyses
· Ability to work effectively in a team environment with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, as well as work independently with limited supervision
· Knowledge of best practices in quality review of data in an information system
· Ability to train others in data management including quality assurance reviews
· Familiarity with project life cycle and implementation strategies
· Good knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
· Strong programming knowledge of Microsoft EXCEL
Desirable:
· Good knowledge of database design and relational database management system
· Good knowledge of accessing and using an MS SQL Server database or one in a similar data storage tool
· Familiarity with MS SharePoint
· Exposure to InetSoft or experience using other business or statistical analysis tools
III. Experience
Essential:
· At least 2 years of experience planning and producing descriptive analyses and data quality assurance reviews
· At least 2 years of experience manipulating relational database structures
· At least 2 years of experience selecting and implementing information technology tools for data management
Desirable:
· Experience working in an international environment
· Experience working to improve data quality at a state (province) or national-level
· Education in Public Health or Public Health Informatics
· Previous work with the WHO or UN agency
Languages:
Essential:
· Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken)
Desirable:
· Working knowledge of French (written and spoken)
· Proficiency in other official WHO languages, specifically Spanish and/or Portuguese is desirable
How to apply:
4. SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS
No later than 11 December 2015, 12:00 CET the bidder shall submit by email:
i. A letter of motivation outlining relevant experience and skills as defined in section 3. This letter must also indicate the daily consultancy rate. Any cost related to the assignment need to be reflected into the daily rate except for travel as indicated under section 2.
ii. An updated CV.
You may wish to check: Web Site: http://www.who.int/hiv/en/; Keywords: HIV, data management, drug resistance, database
Email for submissions of proposal: pdifin@who.int (use subject: Bid Ref 2015/HTM/HIV/016)
Mailing address for submission of proposal:
World Health Organization
HQ/HIV-TAC
Bid Ref:2015/HTM/HIV/016
20, Avenue Appia
CH-1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland
