Epidemiologist

Overview

Provide technical guidance and support for epidemic-related health emergencies.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in epidemiology, quantitative methods and/or medicine or a related discipline from a recognized university.
• Minimum seven years' relevant work experience in epidemiology, information management, quantitative methods, surveillance and/or control of outbreaks.
• Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Demonstrated expertise in field epidemiology, quantitative methods, data management and surveillance in the area of emerging/re-emerging diseases.
• Proven ability to link routine health information and quantitative data to public health response in outbreaks and emergencies.

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 124,447 USD and 160,449 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks, 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.

WHE brings together and enhances WHO's operational, technical and normative capacities in outbreaks, emergencies and risk analysis to address all health hazards across the risk management cycle in a predictable, capable, dependable, adaptable and accountable manner. WHE is designed to operate within the broader humanitarian and emergency management architecture in support of people at risk of, or affected by, outbreaks and emergencies, consistent with ways that strengthen local and national capabilities.

The Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) is responsible for identifying new public health events, assessing risks to public health, conducting epidemiological surveillance and field investigations, monitoring public health interventions, and communicating public health information to technical partners.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned the following responsibilities:

1. Provide technical guidance and support, in the context of IHR, for the prevention, early detection, verification, risk assessment, and response to epidemic prone infectious hazards, and the analysis and dissemination of data related to the occurrence of outbreaks, in close collaboration with relevant teams at country, subregional and regional levels;

2. Support the timely and high-quality collection, analysis, production and dissemination of health emergency data/information for the Region;

3. Support the planning, development and implementation of the programmatic workplan related to epidemiological surveillance of epidemic- and pandemic-prone diseases, and contribute to periodic evaluation;

4. Advise, plan and develop technical recommendations for the implementation of prevention and control measures for diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential, particularly with regard to surveillance and response;

5. Provide technical cooperation related to strengthening and advancing core surveillance, alert and response capacities in accordance with APSED III and the requirements for IHR (2005);

6. Strengthen risk assessments for a diverse range of events, and provide technical support in the field during acute public health events;

7. Support Field Epidemiology Training (FET)/FET Programme (FETP) in the Region; and supervise fellows of the WPRO Field Epidemiology Fellowship Training Programme to maintain the system of epidemiological data, and consolidate and analyse the collected data for early detection of and appropriate action;

8. Contribute to technical assistance provided by WHE/WPRO to countries in the establishment and implementation of the key components of the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework such as: Joint External Evaluation, Intra and After Action Reviews and exercises, including IHR Exercise Crystal;

9. Contribute to the coordination and communication with partners, including resource mobilization, report writing and the provision of technical support for meetings organized by WHE/Western Pacific Regional Office, such as APSED Technical Advisory Group;

10. Participate in the IHR duty officer roster and act as IHR duty officer as required;

11. Regularly monitor outbreak risks for Member States and advise them on necessary actions;

12. Upon request, provide technical support, backstopping and gap-filling for emergency activities at any level of the Organization or scale of emergency; and

13. Perform other related duties, as requested by the supervisor, including provision of support to other areas of work and teams or programme areas within the WHE, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in epidemiology, quantitative methods and/or medicine or a related discipline from a recognized university. Desirable: Degree in epidemiology, public health, control of infectious diseases or a related discipline from a recognized university.

Experience

Essential: Minimum seven years' relevant work experience with successful track record in epidemiology, information management, quantitative methods, surveillance and/or control of outbreaks, with proven field experience in epidemics or public health emergencies at national and/or international level. Desirable: In service training in field epidemiology such as Field Epidemiology (and Laboratory) Training Programme, the European Program for Intervention Epidemiology Training, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epidemic Intelligence Service Programme or equivalent experience. Experience in WHO or other UN agencies.

Skills

-Demonstrated expertise in field epidemiology, quantitative methods, data management and surveillance in the area of emerging/re-emerging diseases.

-Proven ability to link routine health information and quantitative data to public health response in outbreaks, emergencies, planning, service delivery and/or policy decision-making.

-Ability to analyse surveillance systems and to develop and plan appropriate improvement measures.

-Excellent organizational and analytical skills combined with ability to multitask and produce accurate results under pressure.

-Ability to think strategically and to demonstrate initiative, leadership qualities, and skill in dealing with difficult situations.

-Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate in a credible and effective way, and synthesize information in a clear and concise manner.

-Tact, diplomacy and courtesy.

-Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Moving forward in a changing environment Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 74,913 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3009 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

Potential interview questions