PHI Outputs Consultant

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1. Area of expertise : PHI Outputs using ePHEM

2. Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide short-term technical support to strengthen regional Public Health Intelligence (PHI) outputs using ePHEM within the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

3. Background

The Eastern Mediterranean Region faces a complex risk landscape shaped by infectious disease outbreaks, conflict, displacement, climate-related hazards, food insecurity, attacks on health care, population mobility and disruption of essential health services. These risks require timely detection, verification, risk assessment, information management and decision-support across the health emergency cycle.

WHO EMRO has developed the electronic Public Health Emergency Management platform, ePHEM, to support signal management, event tracking, rapid risk assessment, coordination and public health emergency management. ePHEM has been rolled out at regional level and in selected Member States, with growing interest from countries and other WHO regions.

In parallel, WHO is advancing digital innovation and AI-enabled decision-support for epidemic intelligence and emergency management, including the PHI Assistant agent, AIM toolkit, immediate and rapid risk assessment tools, and other digital early warning approaches. These tools aim to improve the speed, consistency and quality of signal triage, risk assessment, intelligence generation and public health decision-making.

This consultancy will contribute to the continued development, documentation, testing, deployment support and capacity-building package for these tools, with particular focus on ePHEM, Rapid Risk Assessment and PHI implementation support for countries.

4. Deliverables

Output 1: Develop a PHI inception package using ePHEM

Deliverables:

1.1 Create a concise PHI inception package to assist WCOs and Member States in initiating or enhancing PHI functions using ePHEM.

1.2 Prepare practical guidance on essential PHI functions, roles, signal workflows, RRA linkage, meeting routines, and core PHI outputs.

1.3 Develop user-friendly ePHEM templates and examples for signal documentation, event summaries, action tracking, and decision support.

1.4 Compile a brief orientation slide deck and refine the package based on stakeholder feedback.

Output 2: Test and document PHI digital and AI-enabled tools

Deliverables:

2.1 Assist in structured testing of ePHEM modules, PHI Assistant, AIM toolkit, and related decision-support tools.

2.2 Document user experiences, identifying strengths, limitations, issues, and recommended improvements.

2.3 Create practical use cases illustrating how the tools facilitate signal triage, risk assessment, information synthesis, and decision-making.

2.4 Produce concise internal testing notes and actionable recommendations.

Output 3: Develop PHI, RRA and AI capacity-building products

Deliverables:

3.1 Prepare or update training materials covering PHI, ePHEM, RRA, AI literacy, and digital epidemic intelligence.

3.2 Design practical case studies and exercises for event detection, verification, risk assessment, and emergency decision-making.

3.3 Develop straightforward knowledge products for the PHI Community of Practice.

3.4 Create a final consultancy report summarizing delivered products, lessons learned, and recommended next steps.

5. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: First university degree in Medicine, pharmacy, veterinary science, nursing, or a related discipline.

Desirable: Postgraduate degree in Epidemiology or Public Health.

Experience:

Up to five years of relevant experience with a successful track record in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events; epidemic surveillance during epidemics or public health crisis.

Skills / knowledge:

Technical knowledge in the use of EIOS and SSA, good writing skills, and presentation skills and knowledge in rapid risk assessment process at the regional and country levels.

Languages and level required:

Excellent knowledge of English, and other UN language (especially Arabic or French) would be an asset.

6. Location

Remotely, and travel may occur.

7. Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel

8. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

a. Remuneration: Band level A

b. Expected duration of contract: 5 MONTHS

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.

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