Epidemiologist

Contract

This is a NO-B contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 3,231 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 overall objective of the EU COVID-19 Solidarity Programme for the Eastern Partnership project is to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in the EaP countries thus contributing to their longer-term social and economic resilience. The action will support the partner countries in their fight against the virus and address better the needs of the most vulnerable people. Its objective will be achieved through the:

1) mobilisation of an effective, rapid, and coordinated response to COVID-19,

2) strengthening of the national capacity to effectively prevent, prepare for, detect and respond to public health emergencies.

The project commencement date was 27 March 2020 with initial duration of 2 years (until 27 March 2022).

The project has a designated project management team at regional level and country project teams in each of the 6 EaP counties (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine).

The Division of Country Support, Emergency Preparedness and Response (CSE) supports the coordination of the efforts of multiple sectors of the government and partners - including bi- and multilaterals, funds and foundations, civil society organizations and the private sector - to attain health objectives and national health policies and strategies.This includes helping Member States to manage and respond to the health needs of refugees and migrants, with a focus on access to health services and on preparedness for refugee and migrant influxes. The Division houses the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) that provides technical guidance and operational support to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. WHE assists countries to contain and mitigate the risk of high-threat diseases and infectious hazards; to detect and assess emergency health threats and inform public health decision-making; and to respond rapidly and effectively to emergencies under a coordinated Incident Management System. It ensures WHO's work in emergencies is effectively managed, sustainably financed, adequately staffed and operationally ready to fulfil its mission. Its hub-and-spoke structure ensures country-specific and inter-country activities in priority countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the EU COVID-19 Solidarity Programme for the Eastern Partnership project, the purpose of the position will be to provide technical expertise and operational support at the country level to the Ministry of Health and partners in timely responses to outbreaks/epidemics and health emergencies through the management the epidemiological and surveillance related activities in compliance with the WHO recommended standards, throughout the full cycle of incident.

Key duties:

1) Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in developing its' systems to prevent and control SARS-CoV-2 through:

a) Providing technical advice on improving the quality of systems for the surveillance of influenza and other high threat pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 (epidemiological and laboratory surveillance);

b) Support activities related to strengthening seasonal influenza and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination programmes

c) Support the continued implementation of guidelines and training programs for outbreak investigation and response and the clinical management of severe respiratory infections;

d) Support development and implementation of national testing, isolation and contact tracing strategy for SARS-CoV-2.

2) Support implementation of the epidemiological wing of the national laboratory policy, strategy and action plans though technical advice, operational support, and coordination efforts within WHO and with partners:

a) Support the coordination of epidemiological activities within the national laboratory centres, including research, facilitation of technical meetings and trainings, and on-the-ground monitoring and support missions;

b) Provide technical input to further developments of the epidemiological systems within laboratory system and adjust the national strategy in response to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic;

3) Provide input to advocacy products related to the described duties: official letters to national counterparts, communication campaigns and platforms, wide-spreading information about availability of WHO trainings and products, public communications directly or through partners on importance of surveillance, case investigation, case tracing and their promotion with and within Ukraine.

4) Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level in medicine, epidemiology, public health, laboratory science or related area. Desirable: University degree (Master's level) in any of the above areas. Additional academic specialization in communicable diseases, or equivalent professional qualification.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of relevant work experience in communicable diseases surveillance and/or epidemiology Desirable: Relevant experience with(in) WHO, NGOs or other international organizations. Experience implementing surveillance systems. Experience with epidemiologic investigation and related systems.

Skills

Demonstrated good computer skills in Microsoft Office, EPI Info, SPSS or similar.Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory diagnostic, biosafety and quality management.Demonstrated knowledge in biosafety standards, methodology and techniques in health laboratories, including those in molecular biology, virology, bacteriology and biosafety. Demonstrated knowledge of Quality Assurance Systems for laboratories Demonstrated knowledge in human-animal health interfaceDemonstrated ability to multitask, deliver results in time critical scenarios, identify and solve problems. Emotional intelligence; Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Local language. Expert knowledge of Russian. Desirable:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 37,537 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.