Epidemiologist

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 113,531 USD and 146,374 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 WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage public health threats and health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international response to contain outbreaks and health emergencies and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.The unit of Infectious Hazards preparedness is responsible for supporting countries in prevention and control of high threat diseases of both epidemic and pandemic potential through development and dissemination of evidence-based policies, tools, norms and standards as well as strategies to control infectious disease hazards.The team of Infectious Hazard preparedness develops strategies, guidance, regional mechanisms and interventions to address high threat pathogens responsible for epidemics or pandemics thereby reducing their impact on affected populations and limiting their international spread. This group deals with known high threat pathogens such as cholera, chikungunya, dengue, influenza, Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF), Zika, yellow fever, Rift valley fever, coronaviruses like the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), meningitis and plague

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Provide technical leadership, guidance and expert advice related to the surveillance,detection and response to High Threat Pathogen diseases of epidemic and pandemic potentials that are specific to the Region.Develop evidence-informed manuals, guidance, norms and standards for prevention and control of high threat pathogen diseases that are specific to the Region Establish partnerships to facilitate data analysis, epidemic intelligence, epidemic forecasting and knowledge sharing, in particular on the disease transmission and public health impact, identify gaps in knowledge and develop plans and study protocols to address gaps. Implement plan of activities and monitor progress through expert networks.Monitor the risk of High Threat Pathogens, ensure quality of the information received from the field and inform timely senior management so that the Organization can get prepared for any change in the situation.Analyze situation reports and generate and publish analytical reports, and profiles of priority actions and provide training and technical support to health authorities and partners for data analysis, interpretation and use in partnership with relevant institutions, including academia.Collaborate with the transfer of knowledge team to develop user-friendly materials for risk communication and training. Establish strong collaborations with other teams/departments at WHO and other partner agencies to cover the various aspects of the public health response to outbreaks.Support and advise the health authority and partners on the development and implementation of strategic plans to establish and strengthen national response to outbreaks from high threat pathogensFacilitate real-time outbreak information sharing, knowledge generation and learning from the ongoing public health eventsProvide technical support for establishing an appropriate surveillance system for early detection,containment and response to emerging and other high threat pathogens; Develop plans to improve/enhance surveillance capacities for event detection,verification and responseProvide support to the countries for development of appropriate policies and programmes for prevention and control of emerging diseases including those from high threat pathogens.Assist the health authority to develop public health preparedness plans for high threat pathogens. Act as the technical lead in the incident management structure and establish strong collaborations with other teams/departments at WHO and other partner agencies to cover the various aspects of the public health response to outbreaks of high threat pathogens.Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping asrequired.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in medicine, with Masters Degree in public health Desirable: Training on epidemiological,surveillance and response/outbreak investigation/field epidemiology

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years experience working on the control and prevention of infectious diseases including on epidemic diseases and networking with clinicians. Proven experience in managing finances, budgets and staff and clear proof of responsibility for management of work plan activities Desirable: Proven primary responsibility for managing cross-cutting initiatives involving different departments or organizational entities in a multinational context such as the UN, WHO or similar.

Skills

Knowledge on epidemiology of infectious diseases Proven understanding ofthe management of acute and urgent public health responses, including infectious disease outbreaks. Experience in outbreak investigation and managementProven experience in management (finances, budgets and staff) and clear proof of responsibility for management of work plan activities. Demonstrated effectiveness in building sustained partnerships and working with others in international settings. Capacity to work on cross-sectoral projects.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Ensuring the effective use of resources Creating an empowering and motivating environment### Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Expert knowledge of ARABIC.

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 77,326 (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 1598 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion)are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int - An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

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

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