Terms of Reference –
Ebola Vaccine Deployment Team
Consultancy
Surveillance, Monitoring and EVD vaccine Impact Evaluation
Epidemiologist level P4-P3
Duty Station:
Start date:
Duration:
Deadline for application:
Sierra Leone (including district level)
as soon as possible, tentatively 15 May 2015
6 months contract
30 April 2015
Epidemiologist P3 level
1. Background
The 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak has been declared a Public Health Emergency
of International Concern and requires the setup of extraordinary measures and
collaboration.
WHO is working with international partners on a comprehensive Ebola research and
development effort, which includes vaccine development. The most advanced Ebola vaccine
candidates are now entering Phase 3 safety and efficacy clinical trials. Depending on the
evolution of the epidemic, results from clinical trials and availability of vaccines, vaccination
strategies will be considered as part of the measures to control the outbreak, with a range of
approaches.
A Global Ebola Vaccine Implementation Team (GEVIT) has been created under WHO
leadership in order to facilitate the collaborative planning for the potential introduction of
Ebola vaccines. GEVIT currently associates countries most affected by the current EVD
outbreak and key partners, who will be involved in procuring and introducing an Ebola
vaccine (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gavi,
UNICEF, USAID and WHO).
GEVIT is led by a Steering Group (SG) with a structure consisting of three Working Groups:
Country Implementation; Monitoring, Surveillance and Impact Evaluation; and Vaccine
Supply, Allocation and Procurement. The scope of work and objectives of GEVIT are to
support affected countries in their efforts to coordinate potential vaccine introduction in
accordance with WHO recommendations.
In order to support collaborative planning with GEVIT at regional and country level,
epidemiologists (equivalent of P3 and P4) are to be recruited to support and contribute to
the activities of the Surveillance, Monitoring and EVD vaccine Impact Evaluation Working
Group and of the Country Implementation Working Group.
2. Objectives and Deliverables
Under the supervision of, and with guidance from the co-leads of the Surveillance,
Monitoring and EVD vaccine Impact Evaluation team and in collaboration with the GEVIT
teams, WHO AFRO, WHO HQ, and regional and country colleagues, the incumbent will
provide technical support to the Ministry of Health and national authorities and partners to
implement the adaption of countries’ national plan by performing the following duties:
1. Surveillance
a. Develop and support adaption of tools to assess the country capacity for
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) surveillance, including laboratory diagnostics and
vaccine impact monitoring as appropriate
b. Support preparation of national plans to build/strengthen Ebola vaccine
impact monitoring capacity and to measure vaccine effectiveness in the
target population, as and if appropriate
c. Other duties as required by the supervisor
2. Strengthening the national vaccine safety system
a. Develop national AEFI surveillance guidelines
b. Assist with the development of the Ebola virus vaccine safety monitoring
strategy at national level
c. Support the organization and conduct of regular National AEFI committee
meetings, as and if appropriate
d. Support the development and implementation of appropriate active
surveillance studies for conditions of special interest identified during the
development of Ebola vaccines
e. Support the investigation of serious AEFI related to Ebola virus vaccines, as
and if appropriate
3. Assessments to support readiness for vaccine implementation activities
4. Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation of Vaccination Campaigns
4. Required qualifications, skills and experience
Education and specialized training:
a. Essential: Masters University degree in epidemiology, advanced degree in
medicine or pharmaceutical sciences
b. Desirable: Training in international public health, vaccinology or related fields.
Experience:
c. Essential: Minimum 2 years’ experience with immunization programme,
surveillance and vaccine safety related activities; relevant experience including
experience in epidemiology, disease surveillance and new vaccine impact
evaluation.
d. Desirable: Experience in research and development and vaccine trials, virology,
and laboratory diagnostics.
Knowledge, abilities and skills:
e. Essential: Knowledge of surveillance for infectious diseases and vaccines and
laboratory procedures; excellent communication skills both written and oral
f. Desirable: Previous experience working in an international environment.
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English and French would be desirable.

Remuneration
P3 position salary and remuneration is US$ XX /month

Application Process:
Qualified applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter, in English, to XX by XX
2015. Applications that do not follow these guidelines may not be accepted.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. CVs received from this posting may be
considered for other current and future openings requiring similar skills.