Terms of Reference
1. Rationale
1.1 Despite measles being a high-burden disease with a cost-effective vaccine, the global ecosystem of measles modelling and analytics is less organised than comparable consortia for other diseases. As a result, there are missed opportunities for measles modelling and analytics to contribute to decision making. There remains scope for improving communication and collaboration between modelers and stakeholders and fostering new collaborations, particularly with those in high measles burden countries.
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1.2 The Measles Analytics Hub (MAH) aims to enhance partnerships and collaborations within measles modelling and analytics by providing scientific and administrative support to coordinate measles modelling efforts and provide greater engagement between measles researchers and stakeholders.
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2. Purpose
2.1 The MAH will leverage and enhance existing work of the Vaccine Impact Modelling Consortium (VIMC) to coordinate and support policy-relevant analytics and be more inclusive of modelers in high measles burden countries.
2.2 The expected markers of success by 2027 are:
2.2.1 Demonstrable effective engagement of measles modelers in addressing policy and programmatic questions
2.2.2 Recognition of the Hub as the go-to place internationally for expertise in measles modelling, including through formal internal evaluation of modelling tools and analytical methods before external dissemination
2.2.3 Growth of the membership and activities of the Hub to be more diverse and inclusive of modelers in high-burden settings and early career researchers
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3. Scope and Focus
3.1 The geographical focus is predominantly, but not exclusively, in countries approved for support by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
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3.2 The MAH will work with institutions and individuals involved in measles modelling and engage with potential users of modelling outputs to support policy decisions.
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3.3 Rubella remains within the scope of the MAH given global strategic plans for measles and rubella elimination and because measles and rubella are typically delivered in a combined vaccine.
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3.4 It is noted that the predominant working language will be English, however the Hub will make appropriate accommodations to be inclusive.
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4. Funding
4.1 Funding for the MAH is through a grant supplement to the Vaccine Impact Modelling Consortium (VIMC), for which the Secretariat is based at Imperial College London, from September 2024 to 31 August 2027.
4.2 The MAH funds a full-time scientific coordinator, a project administrator, and includes honoraria for a Scientific Chair and Co-chair. Funding includes a budget for yearly in-person meetings, exchange visits, workshops and research to address policy relevant questions.
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5. Overall Governance
5.1 The responsibility for the overall delivery of the MAH, resides with the VIMC’s Director and the MAH Scientific Coordinator.
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5.2 Timely management meetings will involve the MAH Secretariat, Scientific Chair, and representatives from the Gates Foundation and Gavi. The meetings will include progress updates, a forward look on the upcoming time period, and identification of issues.
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5.3 Annual reports will reflect on progress, obstacles, opportunities, and future directions of the Hub activities.
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6. Role of the Secretariat
6.1 The MAH Secretariat will provide the day-to-day management and delivery of the programme.
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6.2 The Scientific Coordinator will be responsible for the scientific content of the MAH, in discussion with the Scientific Chair and other stakeholders. The Scientific Coordinator and Chairs are also responsible for triaging requests for MAH Working Groups and for technical review to the Technical Vetting Committee, tracking outcomes & ensuring follow-up with partners.
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6.3 The Project Administrator will be responsible for the delivery of the logistics of the programme, ensuring that events happen in a timely and efficient manner, and that the budget is adhered to and reported appropriately.
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6.4 These roles will be overseen by the VIMC Director and the Senior VIMC Project Manager, respectively.
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7. Role of Scientific Chair and Co-chair
7.1. Scientific Chair and Co-chair provide scientific oversight to support the Scientific Coordinator and ensure that the MAH Secretariat completes agreed deliverables.
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7.2. The chairs represent the measles modelling community and should seek to ensure full engagement of MAH members, facilitating equitable interaction especially for modellers and stakeholders from high measles burden geographies, and from early career researchers.
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8. Role of Members
8.1. Members are expected to work towards building a community of modellers and users and promote the MAH as the ‘go to place’ for measles modelling for policy and implementation questions.
8.1.1 Members whose work benefits from or contributes to MAH modelling outputs may submit their work to the Technical Vetting Committee for technical review. Expressions of interest for model vetting can be sent to vimc-mah@imperial.ac.uk.
8.1.2. Members who have a specific topic of interest can request to create an official MAH Working Group. Expressions of interest for working groups can be sent to vimc-mah@imperial.ac.uk.
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8.2. Members are expected to participate in MAH meetings and events and are requested to support the communication strategy by providing useful and timely input for newsletters and press releases.
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8.3. Members can expect the MAH Secretariat to rigorously assess applications in response to Requests for Proposals (RfPs) and make decisions in a fair and transparent manner.
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8.4. Members involved in workshops, exchanges and delivery of modelling projects are expected to engage fully in the events and seek to maximise the benefits to all parties involved.
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8.5. Members delivering modelling projects are expected to adhere to the agreed budget and deliverable timelines and be responsive to requests and input from the MAH Scientific Coordinator and Project Administrator.
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8.6. Members are expected to treat each other with respect and create a collaborative, and non-competitive community. Harassment and bigoted (sexist, racist, homophobic, etc.) or exclusionary jokes are not appropriate for the MAH and will not be tolerated in any form. If you experience inappropriate behaviour from another MAH member, please report it immediately by emailing vimc-mah@imperial.ac.uk.
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8.7. Any disputes with the MAH Secretariat should be raised in the first instance with the VIMC Director.
8.8. Members are encouraged to discuss possible improvements and/or issues requiring attention with the MAH Secretariat.
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8.9. Members can expect to have a timely response from the MAH Secretariat.
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9. Relationships with Other Agencies
9.1. The Gates Foundation funds the MAH, and as such agrees the budget for the Hub, and engages via regular management meetings.
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9.2. The Institute for Disease Modelling were instrumental in identifying the need for the MAH and remain a key partner in enhancing the global measles modelling ecosystem.
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9.3. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are also included in MAH management and will shape the direction of the MAH by identifying key research questions and areas of focus for measles modelling and analytics.
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9.4. WHO global, regional, and country offices and regional technical groups on immunisation are key stakeholders and will identify key research questions (e.g. through IVIR-AC, RITAGs or other local mechanisms), contribute data and intelligence informing measles vaccine policy.
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9.5. The MAH will work closely with the Measles & Rubella Partnership to ensure that we identify and respond to policy-driven measles modelling questions and disseminate findings appropriately.
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10. MAH Technical Vetting Committee
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10.1. Purpose: provide rigorous assessment of the technical validity of models, software, and analytic tools used within the MAH programme.
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10.2. Membership: Committee members must apply for a 1-year position, in the first instance. Members are expected to have a PhD in relevant field; ≥5 years modelling experience; strong stats/math background; coding proficiency desirable; prior peer review experience
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10.3. Governance & Conduct: chaired by Scientific Coordinator and Chairs; ad-hoc meetings; documented review framework; written reports and approval status.
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10.4. Accountability & Transparency: Secretariat maintains records; annual summary report written; Technical Vetting Committee may develop technical standards and open-access expectations.
11. MAH Working Groups
11.1 Purpose: provide logistical and organisational support for members who wish to collaborate around a specific topic relevant to measles control. Working Group topics can include, but are not limited to, specific modelling questions, geographies, measles policies, or programmatic needs. Both modellers and stakeholders can propose the creation of a new Working Group, although all Working Group participants are expected to be MAH members.
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11.2 Membership: open to all MAH members with a shared interest in the Working Group topic. Working Group members are expected to actively participate in meetings, for example, by sharing ideas, presenting findings, drafting reports, or offering feedback on Working Group projects.
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11.3 Governance & Conduct: chaired by Scientific Coordinator; meetings scheduled according to needs and requests of the Working Group. There is no limit on the duration of time for which the Working Groups can be active, both urgent short-term tasks and longer-term engagements are welcome.
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11.4 Accountability & Transparency: Scientific Coordinator maintains records and writes summary reports.
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