Consultant - Development of Contact Tracing Implementation Guidance at World Health Organization (WHO)

Job ID: 2408722

Purpose of consultancy

• The objective of this consultancy is to contribute towards the development of the contact tracing implementation guidance.

Background

• The overarching project goal is that contact tracing strategies are determined, adapted and set up in a timely manner during outbreaks limiting the spread of outbreaks. 

The objectives are:

• To develop and disseminate an evidence-based disease-agnostic contact tracing guideline  
• To facilitate the application of contact tracing strategies through the development of implementation guidance

To support the development of this guidance, the project team is looking for a consultant who will conduct a comprehensive review. This review will include:

• a review of guidelines and guidance documents (including those included in the systematic literature review conducted in 2023), as well as the collection of data used in contact tracing as well as performance indicators
• the consultation of various stakeholders involved in contact tracing, to identify methods used to identify and monitor contacts, and evaluate the contact tracing performance, in alignment with the recommendations of the guideline.
• A semi-structured questionnaire will have to be developed, based on findings from the review of guidelines and guidance, and key informant interviews conducted with stakeholders at regional and country office levels.
• In addition, a technical working group of experts including but not limited to WHO (including regional and country representatives) will be convened to guide the review methodology and input technically into the guidance sections. In between monthly meetings, the TWG will be requested to review draft sections. 

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Comprehensive review report on methods for contact person identification, monitoring and contact tracing data and performance indicators used.
  Expected by: 31 August 2025
  • Develop a methodology for the comprehensive review
  • Develop and complete a database and analytical plan of information collected
  • Develop a short concept note and contact regional and country offices to identify 10-15 stakeholders to be interviewed
  • Develop a semi-structured interview guide
  • Collect feedback from TWG
• Deliverable 2: Minimum set of variables to collect for contact tracing.
  Expected by: 31 August 2025
  • Develop a methodology to define the minimum set of core contact tracing variables using an electronic Delphi process (based on the methodology used by WHO to define the EpiCore variables)
  • Collect feedback from TWG
• Deliverable 3: Write, review, and collect feedback from the TWG on the Implementation guidance (based on deliverables 1 and 2).
  Expected by: 31 August 2025
  • Guidance on identifying contacts
  • Guidance on monitoring contacts
  • Guidance on measuring the performance of contact tracing strategies 

Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Languages
Educational Qualifications:
Essential:

• Minimum first university degree in International Health, Public Health, or Global Health.
• Field Epidemiological Training Program (FETP) graduate.

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree in International Health, Public Health, Global Health.

Experience:
Essential:

• 5 to 10 cumulative years of experience in any or all of the below:
  • Experience in conducting systematic reviews.
  • Experience in qualitative research (specifically with key informants).
  • Experience in investigating outbreaks.

Desirable:

• Experience in low- and middle-income country settings.
• Experience in Contact tracing.
• Experience with WHO Regional and/or Country office.

Skills/Knowledge:
Essential:

• Ability to work independently and produce timely deliverables
• Strong writing skills
• Strong analytical skills and capacity to synthesize complex information

Languages and levels required:
Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English
• Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language

Desirable:

• Expert knowledge of another official UN language.