Medical Officer Epidemiologist

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 110,869 USD and 138,944 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 main objective of the programme is to support the countries in the South-East Asia Region in reducing morbidity and mortality from communicable diseases, improve the existing system of communicable disease surveillance including data management and response.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of Director, Programme Management and under the supervision of Director, Communicable Diseases (CDS), the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

1. Acts as a focal point for communicable diseases, other than TB, HIV, Hepatitis, STIs, NTDs and Malaria. (i.e. for diseases that are not within the realm of the other technical units in CDS department) and provide technical support to the Member States on these diseases;

2. Develops a South-East Asia Regional Framework for surveillance of communicable diseases in consultation with the other technical units in CDS and WHE departments;

3. Monitors performance of communicable diseases surveillance in Member States of the Region, including assessing the response taken by the Member States on surveillance data, in accordance with the standards laid down in the Regional surveillance framework;

4. Participates in country assessment missions as a member of the team and identifies achievements and challenges for surveillance of communicable diseases and the use of surveillance information for interventions to control communicable diseases, as well as makes recommendations for enhancing capacity for surveillance of communicable diseases in Member States;

5. Provides technical support on strengthening systems for surveillance in Member States, including the development of tools in collaboration with WCOs, HQ, ministries of health, WHO collaborating centers and other partners;

6. Supports periodic analysis of communicable diseases surveillance data including disease trends and provides technical support to facilitate the use of the surveillance data for refinements of strategies and interventions to control/eliminate communicable diseases in the Member States in coordination with the other technical units;

7. In coordination with the technical units within CDS Department, develops and periodically updates a regional data dashboard for communicable diseases;

8. Collaborates with Member States and partner organizations for identifying mechanisms for strengthening cross border diseases surveillance for communicable diseases in coordination with the technical units and departments at SEARO;

9. Collaborates and coordinates with partner organizations viz. other UN agencies, national and international non-governmental organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners and voluntary agencies for implementing activities (including national and regional group educational activities) and projects which are crosscutting or include multiple diseases or teams within CDS department; Supports Member States in the preparation of proposals for resource mobilization and enhancing partnership programmes to strengthen communicable disease surveillance in the Region;

10. Analyzes existing and new developments, global and regional trends, cross border issues, supports/facilitates periodic programme reviews of Member States and collaborate with technical units to identify disease surveillance activities within WHO collaborative regional programmes;

11. Ensures prompt managerial and administrative support to the programme, monitor budgetary obligations and liquidations of regional and country work plans;

12. Promotes networking of WHO collaborating centres and Centresof Excellence in the Region for communicable disease surveillance area;

13. Performs any other duties, asassigned from time to time.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Recognized university degree in medicine or health related field and post graduate degree in public health/epidemiology. Desirable: Training in communicable diseases epidemiology and/or biostatistics.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of professional experience, including considerable experience obtained in an international context, in the field of communicable diseases control. Desirable: Experience of at least 5 years working in UN organization and /or international partners/country programmes.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of communicable disease surveillance, prevention, and control.
• Experience in planning, management and coordinating national and/or international health programmes.
• Extensive knowledge of principles and practices of a wide range of public health issues; Sound knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and activities in the relevant areas as well sound understanding of health systems functioning.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; interpersonal skills with sensitivity to cultural difference.
• Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of any WHO official 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 90,664 (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 2697 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.

• 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.