Epidemiologist

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 22 years old. Applicants must be nationals of or legal residents in the country of assignment.

Description of task

Under the direct supervision of the World Health Organization Representative and working within the WHO Health Emergency Cluster, the UN Volunteer - Medical Epidemiologist will undertake the following tasks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Provide technical advice to the MOHCC IDSR and partners, in the development and implementation of strategies and programmes related to the epidemiological needs for priority diseases, conditions and events. Under the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and International Health regulations (2020).
• Conduct real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data on COVID-19, with other team members, for epidemic forecasting and detection, guide national and districts on data quality improvement, use of data for monitoring of trends, ALERT and ACTION thresholds (triggers), as well as methodologies for performing Data Quality Audit (DQA) at district and health facility level.
• Synergize surveillance and response data received from multiple sources including Health Information Systems, vertical reporting programmes, community Based Surveillance and IDSR. Improve on efficiency of data collection, correlation, analysis, interpretation and timely action.
• Provide technical support for the establishment and functionality of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and Public Health Management Committee (PHEMC) for potential hazards like Infectious diseases, Zoonotic events, Food safety events and chemical events at the district level as per the national guidance and standards.
• In collaboration with the MOHCC Directorates of Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) and Primary Health care, strengthen the implementation of Community Based Surveillance (CBS) for priority diseases, conditions and events including Points of entry/cross border surveillance, where applicable.
• Provide technical guidance for the establishment, implementation and maintenance of the electronic IDSR (e-IDSR) as well as related descriptive and analytical studies.
• Support the MOHCC in the production of information products and reports including weekly newsletters, quarterly bulletins, annual reports, IHR reports, outbreak situation reports, etc.
• Contribute to capacity building of the surveillance workforce at national and district levels to enhance IDSR/IHR implementation
• Timely reporting to WHO on a variety of epidemiologic data needs on daily/weekly/ monthly basis as required.
• In cooperation with MOHCC IDSR Programme, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the planned surveillance activities, as well as alert and response capacities for event detection, verification and response in compliance with IHR 2020.
• Support the conceptualization, design, execution and analysis of communicable and non-communicable disease prevention and control related operational research

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Master degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

A university degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Community Health or equivalent. Desirable: Master's degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or Community Health.

Required experience:

60 Months

Experience remark:

• At least five years related experience, at the district or national level, in implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response.
• Previous experience in implementation of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) is necessary.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent

Area of expertise:

Disaster risk reduction, Public health, Resource mobilization, partnership and donor coordination

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

* Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections

of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink.

Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.

* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at

https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to

apply.

Application deadline: 28 February 2021