Epidemiologist (Multiple Duty Stations)

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 135,454 USD and 216,746 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.

The purpose of this vacancy announcement is to fill three Epidemiologist positions for the following teams / units:

• Intelligence Innovation and Integration (III) (Duty Station: Berlin);
• Field Epidemiology Strengthening (FEP) (Duty Station: Geneva); and
• Strategy and Guidelines (SAG) (Duty station: Geneva)

The purpose of the position is to act as an Epidemiologist within the Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems division (WSE) in one of the three following areas: (i) Intelligence Integration and Innovation (III), (ii) Field Epidemiology Strengthening (FEP); (iii) Strategy and Guidelines (SAG). The incumbent is responsible for technical oversight and expertise for the design, implementation, integration, acceptance, adoption, monitoring and evaluation of: (i) public health strategies, policies, and solutions for public health intelligence (III), (ii)/(iii) programmes pertaining to disease surveillance and epidemiology (FEP) and (SAG).

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems division (WSE) is responsible to build a system of collaborative intelligence enabling better decisions to avert and manage public health threats and risks. Its goal is to enable, strengthen and support countries, regional and global actors in averting and managing public health threats and risks through collaborative problem solving and decision-making for short-term action and long-term policies, informed by better data and analytics. The WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence is a new office of WHO, located in Berlin. It works with partners to enable the generation of public health relevant information to provide timely actionable insights and improve decision making to prepare for, avert and respond to public health threats. It also aims to reduce fragmentation and inefficiency by creating an ecosystem that promotes collaboration across multiple professional disciplines, sectors, and initiatives; and empower decision makers, public health professionals, and civil society to make informed public health decisions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Intelligence Innovation and Integration (III)

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to the needs.

Provide epidemiological expertise and support to the conception, development and implementation of strategies and tools for the early detection of acute public health events, including but not limited to detection, verification, analytics, risk assessment and information-sharing on events that may constitute a public health threat.

Assess and support the integration and adoption of solutions by stakeholders, including iterative requirements gathering, acceptance and feedback. Conduct analyses for and formulate briefing documents and materials.

As delegated, facilitate and participate in activities such as but not limited to Developing and updating SOPs and strategic policies for all-hazards, one-health public health intelligence.

Providing technical guidance to further the development and expansion of the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) Initiative

Encouraging or promoting the implementation of new approaches and innovative methods to systematically detect, verify, assess, analyze and communicate events of potential significance to international public health, with emphasis on building partnerships and networks.

Elaborating state-of-the-art processes to critically monitor and evaluate performance and results of public health intelligence activities.

Enhancing and encouraging world-wide information sharing as a key component of promoting and nurturing a culture of multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches within WHO and with key partners and collaborators.

Participate in emergency epidemiological field missions where required and appropriate.

Support capacity building activities for public health intelligence across internal and external stakeholders, including identifying gaps, key knowledge, experience and skills to enhance and continuously adapt strategies and policies developed by the unit and division and implement best practices.

Supporting the development and, where required, the delivery of public health intelligence training for WHO, partners and collaborators, including Ministries of Health.

Serve as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise. Liaise with and utilize partnerships within WHO and in other UN Agencies, Donor, and research institutions in public health intelligence to position and integrate EIOS, the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies.

Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for public heath intelligence and the EIOS initiative.

Perform other related duties as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

2. Field Epidemiology Strengthening (FEP) and (iii) Strategy and Guidelines (SAG)

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to the needs and agenda.

Support the development and implementation of WHO's surveillance strategy guidelines, protocols, tools and standard operating procedures (SoPs) for detection, verification and response to public health events of national and international concern, under OH approach.

Evaluate the core national surveillance capacities for event detection, verification and response in accordance with the requirements of IHR 2005. Collaborate with the national health authorities to develop plan of action for strengthening the core surveillance capacities in accordance with the requirement for IHR 2005. Contribute to the enhancement of international and national capacities for investigation and risk assessment of public health hazards through the development and implementation of standards and tools.

Supports the further development and expansion of the field epidemiology workforce. Identify gaps and participate in research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the area of surveillance and field epidemiology.

When required, conduct field investigation for outbreak verification, risk assessment and provide technical support for rapid public health response to public health emergencies emanating from known or unknown disease pathogens.

Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies sand other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise. Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in the surveillance and field epidemiology to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies.

Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for surveillance and field epidemiology.

Perform other related duties as assigned, including replacing and back stopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree (master's level or higher) in epidemiology, public health, international health, quantitative methods and/or medicine, complemented by courses in epidemiology (in cases where the advanced degree was not in Epidemiology), or a related discipline.

Desirable: In-service training in field epidemiology such as Field Epidemiology (and Laboratory) Training Programmes (FELTP), the European Program for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service programme, or equivalent.

Specialization in one of the above fields. Infectious disease epidemiology.

Experience

Essential:

1. Intelligence Innovation and Integration (III)

At least seven years' experience with successful track record in epidemiology, surveillance and/or the control of acute public health events, in which at least four years have been related to public health intelligence activities at the national and/or international levels.

Demonstrated experience in the context of large epidemics or public health crises at the national and/or international levels.

Experience with “non-traditional” surveillance methods e.g., “event-based surveillance”, particularly open-source intelligence initiatives and systems such as ProMED, the Global Public Health Intelligence Network (GPHIN), and/or the EIOS system and its functionality, and a good understanding of open-source information feeds.

2. Field Epidemiology Strengthening (FEP) and (iii) Strategy and Guidelines (SAG)

At least seven years' experience with successful track record in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events; epidemic surveillance at the national and/or international levels plus demonstrated field experience in the context of large epidemics or public health crisis at the national and international levels.

For (ii) Field Epidemiology Strengthening (FEP): Demonstrated expertise in field epidemiology, quantitative methods of analysis, data management and surveillance methods.

Desirable: Experience contributing to the technical enhancement of surveillance and/or other public health tools.

Field experience in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events.

Experience in resource limited countries.

Experience with inter-agency collaboration or in WHO, UN, UN Agencies or other international organizations.

Experience in managing complex flows of information at field and global level, with focus on the design, implementation and interpretation of quantitative research activities.

Experience with International NGOs, in particular in LMICs.

Skills

Demonstrated and applied expertise in public health surveillance and intelligence, field epidemiology and emerging diseases in an international context.

Demonstrated expertise in public health emergencies in international settings.

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.

Proven ability to interact in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting environment involving technical, cultural and political elements.

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

Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively.

Proven ability to work and produce results under pressure in critical situations. Team player with demonstrable tact, diplomacy and courtesy.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of WHO Language.

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 2655 per month in Berlin and USD 4981 per month in Geneva. 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 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.

• 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.