The Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis Department (CDE) promotes, coordinates, and implements technical cooperation activities directed toward the surveillance, prevention, control and elimination of communicable diseases and zoonoses that are technically sound and appropriate for the political and sociocultural context in which they are implemented. It strives to achieve a sustainable impact on health by providing normative guidance, furthering the implementation of evidence-based interventions, and fostering alliances that strengthen country capacity, improve the effectiveness of inter-country collaboration, and facilitate policy and decision-making processes through improved health information coverage, analysis and quality at all levels.
PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY
The Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health Department (CDE) is establishing a roster of qualified environmental health specialists with expertise in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) to support the implementation of the Organization’s technical cooperation program for AMR in the Region, more specifically the development and implementation of National One Health AMR action plans, in line with the Global Action Plan.
Deliverables:
The consultant is expected to deliver the following:
- Develop guidance and tools for the engagement of the environmental sector in the national AMR response through multisectoral coordination and participation in the development, implementation, and monitoring of One Health National Action Plans on AMR.
- Contribute to AMR advocacy and awareness activities with regards to the role of the environment in the emergence and spread of AMR and the importance of the involvement of the environmental sector in fighting AMR.
- Conduct a literature review of environmental interventions conducted to date to prevent and contain AMR and synthesize the latest evidence of their effectiveness or impact.
- Develop a research agenda to address knowledge gaps regarding the role of the environment, specifically water, sanitation and hygiene factors in the development and spread of resistant pathogens in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Contribute to the design and implementation of One Health integrated surveillance in the region, including the definition of core data variables to be collected from the environmental sector, data analysis and interpretation.
- Develop guidance for the assessment of the risk of AMR in the environment for human and animal health, definition of management goals and of environmental management options in collaboration with other teams in the Organization.
- Provide recommendations for national or local AMR risk mitigation based on findings from environmental AMR surveillance and risk assessments in the Region, as needed.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: A bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences, Environmental Health, Medicine, Veterinary or Pharmacy.
Desirable: A master’s degree in public health or epidemiology would be an asset.
Experience:
Essential: Minimum of 5 years of national and/or international experience in environmental health in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Desirable: Experience in AMR policy, surveillance, or research.
Use of language skills:
Essential: Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language.
Desirable: Knowledge of Portuguese and/or French would be an asset.
The application deadline is June 23, 2021
