Consultant - Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance (WES)

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will work closely with the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), particularly the WHO Global Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, including staff, consultants, and supporting implementing partner organizations, to perform the following tasks:

1. Serve as subject matter expert to support the Community of Practice (CoP) – WES. This may include advising on the CoP strategy and content areas; leading working groups to ensure effective and timely production of outputs; providing technical input to documentation and assets generated as part of the CoP; facilitating breakout sessions or small group meetings.
2. Serve as a subject matter expert in the review of Catalytic Grant Fund proposals focused on wastewater and environmental surveillance. This includes reviewing and scoring applications based on established criteria; providing technical feedback on proposals; aligning with other reviewers to make decision recommendations and ensure portfolio balance.
3. Serve as a subject matter expert in the development and execution of meetings and workshops on technical WES topics. This may include strategic advising on meeting goals; drafting agendas; identifying participants; facilitating sessions and contributing to the generation of technical output from the event.

Background

The mission of WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

In 2022, WHO established the WHE Division of Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems (WSE) which incorporates the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence („WHO Pandemic Hub“). The WHO Pandemic Hub was launched in response to marked weaknesses in how countries detect and manage public health threats exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The WHO Pandemic Hub aims to accelerate capabilities for improved detection of and response to public health threats, improving collaboration in critical areas such as data sharing and joint data analysis, between different actors around the globe. The Collaborative Surveillance (COL) is responsible for establishing and coordinating internal and external networks and partnerships that facilitate the work of the Pandemic Hub and the broader WHE Programme around Collaborative Surveillance. These include programs such as the Integrated Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN), a new global network of pathogen genomic actors to accelerate progress on the deployment of pathogen genomics and improve public health decision-making. The IPSN envisions a world where every country has sustained capacity for genomic sequencing and analytics as part of its public health surveillance system.

In response to increasing global interest in wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES), and a growing need to address challenges with its adoption, efficacy, and standardization, the IPSN is expanding efforts to accelerate the understanding of WES‘ value in strengthening disease surveillance, and its potential global integration in public health systems.

Deliverables

1. Output 1: Develop the workplan for and oversee the implementation of the WES Community of Practice.
   Expected by: 1 December 2025
   • Leading working groups to ensure effective and timely production of outputs
   • Providing technical input into documentation and assets generated as part of the CoP
   • Facilitating breakout sessions or small group meetings
   • Facilitation of high-level strategic meetings with key stakeholders to explore potential synergies, foster collaborative opportunities, and ensure alignment and partnership in advancing WES goals.
   • Documented operational CoP
2. Output 2: WES catalytic Grant Fund proposals are scored and Grantees awarded funds.
   Expected by: 30 October 2025
   • Reviewing and scoring the funding applications based on established criteria
   • Providing technical feedback on proposals
   • Aligning with other reviewers to make decision recommendations and ensure portfolio balance
   • Communicate the funding application outcomes to the grantees
3. Output 3: Technical reports on meetings and workshops on WES topics executed with partners and stakeholders.
   Expected by: 1 December 2025
   • Strategic advising on meeting goals
   • Drafting agendas
   • Identifying participants
   • Facilitating sessions and contributing to the generation of technical output from the event

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential:

1. An advanced university degree in public health, epidemiology, pathogen surveillance, microbiology or related field.

Experience

Essential:

1. At least 10 years of experience working as a technical expert in an institutional setting such as an academic center, non-profit, or multilateral organization.

Desirable:

1. Familiarity with health policy and experience engaging with national and/or local government on public health issues.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential:

1. Content Expertise:
   • Proven leadership in the field of wastewater and environmental surveillance
   • Deep understanding of priority pathogens across various geographic regions and policy dimensions of public health surveillance
   • Demonstrated understanding in the historical and present-day state of the WES field
     • Latest scientific endeavors, opportunities for advancement and hurdles to overcome to achieve scale and sustainability
2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration:
   • Demonstrated skills on engagement and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders.
     • Government agencies, academic institutions, and multinational organizations.
   • Proven ability to drive consensus and foster effective collaboration among experts from diverse fields
   • Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain strategic partnerships.
3. Leadership:
   • Strong track record of independently leading projects that generate high quality assets under tight deadlines
   • Effective delegation skills
   • Ability to adapt to strategic priorities in response to evolving needs

Languages and level required

Essential:

1. Expert knowledge of English

Desirable:

1. Intermediate knowledge of another official WHO language

Location

Offsite: Home-based

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)

Remuneration

Band level C: USD 10,000 to 12,500 per month

Expected duration of contract

11 months.

Additional Information:

1. This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
2. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
3. A written test may be used as a form of screening.
4. If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: .
5. For information on WHO’s operations please visit: .
6. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
7. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter ( ) into practice.
8. WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct.
9. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
10. Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
11. WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant.

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