National Professional Officer (Communicable Diseases), NO-C, Damascus, Syria

Overview

Implement communicable diseases activities focusing on investigation, surveillance, and control.

You have:

• A first level university degree (bachelor) in a health-related field such as medicine, public health, epidemiology.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in communicable diseases focusing on the areas of investigation, surveillance, and control.
• Expert knowledge of English and Arabic.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems.
• First-hand working experience at the country level.

Contract

This is a NO-C contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 2,402 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 (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinator international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

JOB PROFILE SUMMARY

The purpose of this position is to implement Communicable Diseases (CD) activities in the Country office focusing on investigation, surveillance, and control of communicable diseases. The position is to support the implementation of policies that promote the overall area of communicable diseases that is in line with the Office’s objectives and goals in the area of communicable disease, IHR and WASH.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Generic Duties:

1. Provide technical input to the work program in the area of Communicable Diseases.

2. Undertake research, on CD public health topics to facilitate the development and implementation of CD health programmes and activities.

3. Conduct the implementation of a research agenda on CDs including promoting operational research on cost effectiveness of community-based interventions for CDs.

4. Monitor work plans and budgets including resource mobilization for the work programme and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.

5. Analyze data of best practices s in implementing CD prevention and control strategies and prepare and disseminate information.

6. Conduct capacity building in the area of CD.

7. Serve as a technical resource at the counterpart level concerning CD in the country(ies); respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles, practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.

8. Participate in community outreach activities concerning the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of CD; prepare and deliver oral presentations; compile, prepare and distribute related informational materials.

9. Exchange information with counterparts in technical departments at HQ, Regional and Country Offices, and with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) on implementation of policies and strategies related to communicable disease activities.

10. Review and ensure quality assurance and relevance of contractual engagements with partners and institutions and make recommendations regarding WHO’s support.

11. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific Duties:

12. Provide technical support to plan and monitor the implementation of the different communicable diseases programmes, specifically for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) control programmes.

13. Provide technical guidance in the area of Health Emergency Preparedness and International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) activities and implementation of National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and Joint External Evaluation (JEE)

14. Provide technical support for Environmental Health actions, Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) and Food Safety.

RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Core Competencies

1. Teamwork;

2. Respecting & Promoting Individual & Cultural Differences;

3. Communication;

4. Moving Forward in a Changing Environment

5. Producing results

6. Creating an Empowering & Motivating Environment

Functional Knowledge and Skills

1. Knowledge of country situation with regard to Communicable Diseases with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.

2. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations.

3. Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.

4. Excellent knowledge of Health and Food Safety regulations.

5. Excellent knowledge in IHR Framework and implementation.

6. Excellent knowledge in Environmental Health Issues and WASH.

7. Technical aspects of field of specialty.

8. Public speaking techniques.

9. Excellent drafting and communication skills.

10. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Educational Qualifications

Essential

A first level university degree (bachelor) in a health-related field (such as medicine, public health, epidemiology;).

Desirable:

Advanced level university degree (masters’ level or above) in any of the above-mentioned fields. Postgraduate degree in Medicine/Public Health/Communicable Diseases.

Experience

Essential

At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in communicable diseases focusing on the areas of investigation, surveillance, and control, as well as developing guidelines for implementing disease prevention programmes.

Desirable:

First-hand working experience at the country level.

Language Requirements

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and Arabic.

Information technology (IT) and other skills

Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual gross salary starting at USD 36,458 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, and allowances for eligible 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• 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. 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.

• 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.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process.

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

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