National Professional Officer - Pandemic Influenza Preparedness

Contract

This is a NO-B 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 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 3,476 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 Infectious Hazard Management (IHM) programme is responsible for providing technical and strategic support to the Ministry of Health in Sudan for (1) building health system capacity for detection, verification and containment of infectious disease outbreaks or any other public health events of international concern including avian and pandemic influenza as well as other emerging public health threats; (2) strengthening epidemiological and laboratory surveillance for epidemic and pandemic prone communicable diseases; (3) improving public health preparedness for any emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases with epidemic and pandemic potentials;Overall, the programme works closely with the IHM/EMRO to ensure availability of technical support and strategic guidance for detection, verification, risk assessment, communication and adequate real-time response to public health emergencies in Sudan that might constitute a potential public health concern in the country.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:Act as the Focal Point for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness:1. Monitor proper implementation of the biennial workplan for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Partnership Contribution Funds.2. Establish/strengthen sentinel sites for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) surveillance.3. Collaborate with the Ministry of Health in assessing the feasibility and needs for influenza sample collection, shipment and transfer of samples for laboratory testing to a reference influenza laboratory in the Region.4. Prepare standard procedures for data collection, analysis and reporting.5. Collaborate with the National Influenza Center to improve their capacity to collect, analyze, and report routine influenza surveillance data according to regional surveillance standards, through training and technical advice.6. Establish influenza surveillance and laboratory networks to support evidence-based public health risk assessment and response strategies.7. Measure and assess disease burden related to influenza and other acute respiratory diseases using routinely collected surveillance data or from any other appropriate sources of information in order to better understand influenza epidemiology.8. Participate in the development of project proposals and mobilization of sustainable resources for the effective operations of the related projects/programmes.9. Organize technical meetings/workshops with national health counterparts for strengthening infection prevention and control programme in health care settings for acute respiratory diseases of epidemic and pandemic potentials.As Focal Point for Infectious Hazard Management:10. Participate actively in in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public health policies and programmes pertaining to surveillance and response of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases particularly those with epidemic and pandemic potentials at the country level.11. Collaborate with the Infectious Hazard Management unit of WHO/EMRO for supporting the Ministry of Health in the areas of prevention, detection, verification, assessment, including field investigation and response to health threats from emerging and other epidemic-prone diseases.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in Medicine, Public Health or Nursing Desirable: Master's degree in Public Health

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of relevant experience, in communicable disease control programs especially in epidemiology and surveillance of communicable diseases. Desirable: Relevant experience in the UN system or an international organization

Skills

1. Theoretical and practical knowledge of public health, communicable disease control, analyzing data, concise reporting, and surveillance of communicable diseases.2. Proven skills for the development, implementation and analysis of surveillance projects and activities, including budget programming and control3. Ability to write reports, oral presentations and technical and advocacy documents

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Local language. Desirable:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 41,710 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• 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.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.