Purpose of consultancy
The purpose of the international consultancy is to support the government develop the roadmap and guidance for strengthening the integrated infectious diseases surveillance capacity in Mongolia
Under the guidance of the responsible officer at WHO Country Office in Mongolia, the contractual partner shall perform the following tasks:
Background
Since 2009, Mongolia has implemented a nationwide syndromic surveillance and early warning response system (EWARS) to detect and monitor suspected cases of communicable diseases. This system functions across all images and soums, collecting and reporting data at 2-hour, 24-hour, weekly, and monthly intervals. It plays a key role in monitoring potential public health threats, conducting risk assessments, and activating rapid response mechanisms to contain outbreaks. The system is managed by national and subnational public health authorities, primarily through the National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) and aimag/district surveillance units, in coordination with health facilities and laboratories.
Despite its broad coverage, the current surveillance system faces several structural and operational challenges. These include limited integration between indicator-based and event-based surveillance, gaps in laboratory-surveillance linkages, insufficient use of digital technologies for real-time data sharing, and weak interoperability between sectors if human, animal, and environmental health.
In 2023, Mongolia completed its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) under the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005). The JEE highlighted critical areas requiring improvement, particularly in early warning and response, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance, event-based surveillance, and multisectoral coordination. The assessment emphasized the need for a more integrated, tiered surveillance system that can effectively detect, assess, and respond to public health threats at national and subnational levels, including emerging zoonotic and environmental hazards.
In response to these recommendations, Mongolia is actively pursuing reforms to strengthen its infectious disease surveillance system.
Deliverables
Under the supervision of the designated WHO officer at the WHO Country Office in Mongolia, and in collaboration with national and subnational stakeholders, the consultant shall carry out the following tasks:
Support surveillance modernization: Assist in reviewing existing indicator-based and event-based surveillance (IBS/EBS) frameworks and contribute to the design and establishment of an integrated, tiered digital surveillance system that aligns with One Health principles and enables interoperability across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.Conduct system assessment and gap analysis: Facilitate a strategic assessment of Mongolia’s current infectious disease surveillance capacity—including institutional arrangements, data flows, laboratory linkages, and response mechanisms—and identify key areas for structural and operational strengthening.Provide technical guidance to the government: Support the Ministry of Health and its partners in developing a comprehensive strategy to enhance surveillance architecture, define roles and responsibilities at national and subnational levels, and ensure multisectoral coordination.Develop technical specifications for digital tools: Contribute to the drafting of technical specifications for a digital surveillance platform, including dashboards, reporting tools, and real-time alert mechanisms tailored to Mongolia’s context.Build institutional capacity: Identify capacity-building needs and contribute to the development and delivery of targeted training for surveillance officers and data managers at national and provincial levels.Facilitate stakeholder consultations and alignment: Engage with stakeholders across government, academia, and international partners to ensure coordinated planning, alignment with existing initiatives, and sustainable implementation of surveillance reforms.Output 1: Strategic assessment and planning for surveillance system enhancement under a One Health approach
Deliverable 1.1: Inception report outlining the consultancy objectives, work plan, methodology, and stakeholder engagement strategy.
Deliverable 1.2: Comprehensive strategic assessment report of the existing national infectious disease surveillance system, identifying gaps, overlaps, and areas for enhancement across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
Deliverable 1.3: Roadmap for integration of indicator-based and event-based surveillance systems, aligned with One Health principles and JEE recommendations.
Output 2: Technical design and operational framework for digital surveillance platform
Deliverable 2.1: Technical specifications document detailing system architecture, data standards, and functional requirements for the development of an interoperable digital surveillance platform.
Deliverable 2.2: Operational framework for phased implementation and integration of the platform at national and subnational levels, including governance, workflow protocols, and real-time alert mechanisms.
Output 3: Capacity building and institutional support for system implementation
Deliverable 3.1: Capacity needs assessment and training plan for national and subnational surveillance officers and data managers.
Deliverable 3.2: Development of training materials and delivery of at least two capacity-building workshops focused on digital surveillance tools, data analysis, and outbreak response protocols.
Deliverable 3.3: Documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations for sustaining capacity at decentralized levels.
Output 4: Stakeholder coordination and alignment with national policies and international standards
Deliverable 4.1: Summary report of stakeholder consultations and technical meetings, including inputs from the Ministry of Health, veterinary and environmental health agencies, and partners.
Deliverable 4.2: Draft national surveillance strengthening strategy endorsed by key stakeholders, aligned with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), the JEE, and the National Health Sector Development Strategy.
Deliverable 4.3: Final consultancy report summarizing all activities, outputs, achievements, and recommended next steps.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:
Essential: Advanced educational degree (Masters or above) in epidemiology, public health and related field.
Experience:
Essential: At least eight years of relevant work experience in infectious disease surveillance, health systems strengthening, or public health strategy development.
Desirable: Relevant experience in WHO or United Nations funds and programmes. Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained at a country, regional or global level.
Skills/Technical and Knowledge :
Essential: Capable of developing the policy documents and building capacity in laboratory quality systems and excellent skills in planning, and time management.
Languages
Essential: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential
Location
Consultant to be based onsite at the WHO Country Office.
Travel:
In country travel is expected which will be planned in the country.
Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):
Remuneration: Payband B, USD 8000 (monthly)
Expected duration of contract: 3 months, September to December 2025
Additional Information:
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