Consultant for Mathematical Modelling Tool

Workplace Circumstances

• Environment: Office
• Languages: English, Khmer
• Location: Phnom Penh

Position Summary

Period: The work is to be concluded by 31st December 2026 with a total of 55 working days.

Goal

This consultancy aims to develop and/or adapt a mathematical modelling tool within the Malaria Information System (MIS) to support evidence-based decision-making for Cambodia’s malaria elimination programme. The modelling tool will specifically support strategies to eliminate the remaining Plasmodium vivax cases and prevent the re-establishment of malaria transmission, in line with Cambodia’s goal to achieve and sustain malaria elimination. The tool will enable CNM to simulate malaria transmission dynamics, assess the impact of imported malaria cases, evaluate the effectiveness of Prevention of Re-establishment (POR) activities and other interventions, and inform strategic planning and operational decision-making.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant will work closely with the MIS team and relevant CNM technical staff to develop, adapt, and integrate the modelling tool within the MIS platform. The consultant will also strengthen CNM capacity to independently operate, interpret, maintain, and update the model following deployment.

Reporting:

The Consultant shall be expected to submit activity reports in line with the set deliverables and these reports shall be submitted for review and acceptance by the National Malaria Program before any payment is made. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop a mathematical modelling tool
• Work with CNM technical staff and the MIS team to identify requirements for the modelling tool.
• Review available malaria surveillance data, POR activities, and current interventions relevant to Plasmodium vivax elimination and prevention of re-establishment.
• Adapt and/or develop a mathematical model to:
• Simulate POR activities and elimination strategies;
• Simulate the introduction of imported malaria cases;
• Assess the impact of imported cases at different transmission levels and by parasite species, particularly Plasmodium vivax;
• Predict the expected prevalence of asymptomatic hypnozoite carriage under realistic scenarios for Cambodian settings
• Explore patterns of relapse of Pv under realistic treatment scenarios for Cambodian settings
• Assess the expected performance of current interventions and surveillance strategies;
• Explore and simulate additional or alternative strategies, where feasible.
• If feasible within the timeframe of the study, extend the model to consider Plasmodium knowlesi
• Training
• Guide head of MIS unit to understand a whole structure of the developed mathematical tool
• Guide head of MIS unit on how to use and update the developed tool
• Prepare a short user guide for using the modelling tool. Train CNM data manager and relevant team members to manage and update the tool.
• Expected outputs
• The consultant shall deliver:
• Scenario simulations assessing Plasmodium vivax elimination strategies, POR activities, and imported malaria risks;
• Training for the head of MIS;
• Final slide deck or report summarizing methods, findings, and recommendations;
• Full handover of model code and related materials.

Languages

• Khmer - Basic
• English - Fluent

Qualifications

• Phd in mathematical modelling or relevant topic

General & Technical Skills

• Publication track record in malaria modelling for Cambodia and/or the Greater Mekong sub-Region
• Advanced computing expertise in R or other relevant languages, preferably applied to malaria modelling
• Experience of development and delivery of modelling training for malaria control program staff
• English: Fluent (Speaking & Writing); Khmer: Working (optional)