Machine Learning and Disease modelling specialist

Volunteering Human Resources IT & Telecom

Overview

Develop advanced data analytics and modeling tools for public health.

You have:

• At least a minimum of 3 years' experience in disease surveillance, prevention and control, focusing on disease modeling and forecasting.
• Practical experience in advanced statistical software packages (e.g., R, STATA, SAS) for epidemiological analysis.
• Strong experience in advanced data analytics, data systems, machine learning, data mining, simulations, and modeling.
• Practical experience in software and database systems such as MySQL, SQL Server, and others.
• Strong analytical skills; ability to analyze raw data and visualize results.
• Experience in Geovisualization and advanced mapping tools.
• Experience in conducting disease surveillance and control in humanitarian settings is desirable.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The mission of WHO’s Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Programme (WHE) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, 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. The Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIR) Programme area of the EPR focuses on three major streams of work: i) enhancing public health intelligence for early detection and risk assessment of health events; ii) strengthening public health surveillance and epidemiology based on the IDSR framework; and iii) modernizing information management systems and data analytics.

The WHO in the African Region has been implementing the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy for the past two decades as a platform for public health surveillance. The IDSR framework achieved major milestones over the years, with huge surveillance infrastructure established in 45 Member States in the African region. None-the-less, implementation of IDSR also encountered several challenges. These gaps became apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic when IDSR structures and systems were overwhelmed, with no capability to adapt. In the bid to strengthen public health surveillance in the African region, WHO AFRO developed the Transforming African Surveillance Systems (TASS) Flagship Initiative to consolidate progress and address gaps in IDSR implementation in all Member States in the region. The TASS project will focus on fully implementing the IDSR strategy including leveraging new technologies to reduce the time to identify and control public health threats.

WHO AFRO is opening Regional Emergency Hubs to support countries more effectively, in close cooperation with partners and the broader United Nations ecosystem. The newly opened Dakar hub is specialized in data innovation and intelligence. Dakar hub also hosts a Centre of Excellence for data Innovation and Intelligence. The center is opening a youth programme and internship on Data Innovation for Health Emergencies (DIHE).

The primary objective of this position is to develop advanced data analytics and modeling tools using artificial intelligence, machine learning and statistical methods and techniques for outbreak and other public health events trend analysis, forecasting and projections, genomic data analytics and data use, and capacity strengthening of member states in these areas.

Under the overall guidance of the EPR Hub Coordinator and the EPR Health Information and Risk Assessment Programme Area Coordinator, the incumbent oversees the sub-regional work in the area of epidemiology and disease modeling, advising on future outbreak/epidemic pathogen molecular, sequencing, and genomic surveillance, focusing on the epidemiological, clinical, and public health events data available. Successful attainment of objectives and expected results involve extensive ongoing contacts to provide strategic advice and authoritative technical expertise, with focus on initiating, negotiating and strengthening partnerships with a broad range of experts, policymakers and representatives of multi- and bilateral agencies, the UN and agencies, Member States, NGOs, academic and public health institutions.

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties:

• Conduct advanced analysis of surveillance data, outbreak intelligence data on infectious diseases, for epidemic forecasting and detection. • In-depth analysis and visualization, exploratory analysis, patterns extraction (machine leaning, data mining) and modeling of historical outbreak data, DVA, and IDSR datasets. • Develop automated tools to extract information and learn from the large volumes of outbreak datasets, public health intelligence generated data and risk assessment data collected. • Disease specific in-depth data analysis and hotspot analysis and mapping, space-time analysis (e.g. cholera, yellow fewer, among others) based on patterns. • Establish early warning systems for epidemic and pandemic-prone diseases for early detection and response to public health events of national and international concern. • Triangulation of various sources of data including epidemiological surveillance data, IDSR data, genomic surveillance data, outbreak data, and public health intelligence and Risk assessment data • Assessing the effectiveness of some of the current tools used for detection, verification, and assessment. • Contribute to building capacity with novel methods within Member States and WHO for surveillance. • Perform other related duties as assigned, including replacing and back stopping for others as required.

Competencies and values: o Teamwork o Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences o Communication o Promoting innovation and organizational learning o Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Experience:

*Essential: At least a minimum of 3 years' experience in disease surveillance, prevention and control, with at least 3 years practical experience in disease modeling and forecasting. Practical working use of advanced statistical software packages (e.g., R, STATA, SAS) for epidemiological analysis during emergencies will be an asset. • At least three years of experience in statistical data analysis, data management, data processing and computing • Strong experience in advanced data analytics, data systems, machine learning, data mining, simulations, and modeling • Practical experience in the use of statistical packages such as SPSS, STATA, SAS, R • Strong experience working with large databases, database systems and data management tools. • Practical experience in software and database systems (MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, Postgres, MS Access or any RDBMS platforms, etc.), programming languages (Java, C Sharp, PHP, Visual Basic, R, etc.). • Strong knowledge of information management tools and mechanisms • Ability to design and manage databases in software commonly used in field epidemiology (EpiInfo, EpiData, ODK, Microsoft Access, SPSS, STATA, SAS, R). • Strong analytical skills; the ability to analyze raw data, draw conclusions, and understand how to best visualize data. • Experience in Geovisualization and advanced mapping tools.

Desirable:
• Working experience on emergencies in Africa. • Experience in conducting disease surveillance, prevention, and control in humanitarian settings. • Experience of working with WHO or other UN agencies would be an asset.

• Experience in WHO and/or the UN System in the areas of outbreak preparedness and response; field experience in public health programmes or emergency response programmes in developing countries.

• Experience in routine analysis and reporting of time-sensitive public health data. Good understanding of the IDSR strategy and its implementation is an asset.

• Field experience in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events experience in resource limited countries; experience of working with event-based surveillance; good understanding in inter-agency collaboration or in WHO, UN, UN Agencies or other international organizations.

Other Skills: Computer literacy. Advanced knowledge of statistical software (R, SPSS, STATA, or Epi Info).

The assignment will take place in the nation’s capital, Dakar, a family duty station (Hardship classification A) with missions to the region. Dakar is a liveable city. The spontaneous reception and hospitality of the Senegalese are among the characteristic features of this West African country. The living conditions in Dakar are good, as well as the access to health services. The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory; vaccination cards should be presented at the entrance. Vaccinations against Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B are also recommended. The basic drugs are available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to bring specific prescription drugs. According to official estimates from ANSD/RGPHAE 2023, the Dakar metropolitan area population reaches over 3,9 million. The total population of Senegal is 18,032,473 inhabitants (ANSD 2023). Senegal is located on UTC/ GMT. Senegal has a warm climate and sunny days throughout the year that make it a comfortable duty station. Daytime temperatures are, on average, around 30°C. The rainy season is in the northern hemisphere’s summer/fall. The currency used in Senegal is called Franc CFA (XOF). On 1st January 2024, the average exchange rate is 1 USD = 602,577 XOF. Many hotels, restaurants and businesses in Senegal accept the leading international credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). It is also possible to withdraw cash from automatic telling machines found in all the major cities. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is vast. Renting unfurnished and furnished accommodations from 450 to 2000 USD is possible. UN Volunteers can also co-rent and share private concessions, which must comply with Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS). Local taxis can easily arrange Transportation in town. A valid passport is required to enter Senegal. ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) nationals are not required to have an entry visa. Citizens of other countries may be required for an entry or long-stay visa. They should contact the closest Senegalese representation. Senegalese Embassies and consulates in various West African countries and other parts of the world issue visas before travel.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org