Purpose of consultancy:
The purpose of this consultancy is to support Ukraine in strengthening preparedness for and response to measles outbreaks, while advancing priority activities related to infection prevention and control (IPC) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The consultant will provide technical expertise to update outbreak preparedness approaches, support implementation of IPC/AMR interventions, and contribute to improved surveillance, prevention, and response capacities within the healthcare system.
Background:
Despite recent improvements, suboptimal immunization coverage levels continue to contribute to persistent immunity gaps in Ukraine and ongoing transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles outbreaks, with some outbreaks occurring in healthcare settings. The existing measles outbreak preparedness and response plan developed in 2023 with WHO support requires updating based on recent outbreak experience, operational lessons learned, and identified gaps in preparedness and response capacities.
At the same time, WHO continues to support Ukraine in strengthening antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, including implementation of relevant national strategies, establishment of IPC monitoring mechanisms within healthcare service delivery processes, and strengthening of healthcare-associated infection prevention and surveillance capacities.
Deliverables:
- Deliverable 1. Updated technical recommendations for measles outbreak preparedness and response, including clarification of approaches for prevention and management of intra-hospital measles transmission, informed by recent outbreak experience, WHO guidance, and findings from assessments of selected healthcare facilities in high-burden oblasts (Expected by: October 2026)
- Deliverable 2. Technical contributions to strengthening the national AMR and IPC agenda, including development of proposed activities for the National Action Plan on AMR prevention for 2027–2028, based on previous assessments, consultations, and alignment with national and WHO priorities (Expected by: December 2026).
Deliverable 3. Documenting best practices on priority IPC, AMR, and healthcare quality topics, including intra-hospital measles transmission, IPC practices in inpatient rehabilitation settings, hand hygiene and glove use, and healthcare waste management (Expected by: mid November 2026).
- Deliverable 4. Stakeholder engagement and coordination support for AMR/IPC implementation, including organization and facilitation of consultations with key stakeholders to inform the development and refinement of the National Action Plan on AMR prevention (Expected by: December 2026).
Educational Qualifications:
Essential : First university degree in Medicine/Public Health. Specialized or postgraduate training in epidemiology or a related field
Desirable : Postgraduate qualification in IPC. PhD degree in epidemiology
Experience:
Essential : Five years’ experience working in hospital epidemiology and IPC. Relevant experience in Ukraine
Desirable : Proven experience of working with international and national technical partner agencies (e.g. Ukrainian Ministry of Health)
Skills/Knowledge:
Essential : Knowledge of national and international best practice in area of infection prevention and control, Strong communication skills and ability work in team, proficiency in standard computer applications
Desirable : advanced skills in epidemiological tools.
Languages:
Essential : excellent knowledge of Ukrainian, knowledge of English is an asset.
Location
Off-site: Home-based
Travel:
The consultant is not expected to travel
Remuneration:
Contract total value: 18.000 USD.
Monthly rate, daily rate and numbers of the days: US 180 per day.
Consultant pay band range: SB-4 level, but not greater than NO-B equivalent). experience to perform the work.
Terms of payment: the payment will be on a monthly basis after provision of Technical Report and approval from Responsible Officer.
Target end date: 30 December 2026.
Additional Information:
- This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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