Polio Eradication Programme Roster - Epidemiologist

Contract

This is a Multiple grade levels contract. More about Multiple grade levels contracts.

Purpose of the Position

In the context of the GPEI support to the outbreak response at the country level, the incumbent will implement and coordinate GPEI strategies for the monitoring and implementation of poliovirus surveillance and SIAs with special focus on early detection, verification, and rapid response. S/he will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and GPEI partners in strengthening polio surveillance and outbreak response, as well as developing national capacities in these areas. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Outbreak Coordinator or Operations Manager, in collaboration with health authorities, and with GPEI partners.

Please note that opportunities exist at P3 and P4 levels.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) aims to protect future generations of children from the threat of polio paralysis. The primary means of achieving this goal is to halt poliovirus transmission in countries where the disease is still endemic and to ensure a rapid and effective response to poliovirus outbreaks in polio-free countries.

Organizational context

In the country of assignment, based on priorities set by the first level supervisor, and working closely with counterparts at the MoH, country and regional office and HQ, the incumbent will act as the Team Lead for the polio surveillance and SIA planning and implementation. S/he will support country efforts to respond to poliovirus outbreaks through technical assistance at the national of subnational level in country of assignment. Under the direct supervision of the Outbreak Coordinator, the incumbent will perform the required duties within the framework of GPEI program and policy frameworks.

Summary of Assigned Duties

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.

• Lead the development, consolidation and maintenance of a country-specific repository of information (at the lowest geographic level possible) on core polio program indicators (e.g. NPAFP rates, polio vaccination coverage etc); updated population estimates (resident, displaced, refugees), standards indicators and values used by partners for monitoring needs and response; vulnerability mapping.
• Provide technical guidance for coordination and planning of Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) planning in endemic and outbreak-affected countries as well as SIA activities to reduce vulnerability in countries at high risk of outbreaks.
• Provide effective response to any importation of wild poliovirus or outbreak of circulating vaccine derived poliovirus in previously polio-free areas through planning, implementation, and coordination with GPEI partners for response to outbreaks in accordance with global guidelines.
• Monitor progress and identify risks in countries or sub regions assigned. Identify constraints to polio eradication in priority countries and areas and support the development of plans of action to overcome those constraints.
• Promote activities to enhance Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance, including rapid surveillance assessments, development of action plans to improve surveillance, evaluation of the impact of these plans, and training/orientation of national and sub-national staff.
• Design, in cooperation with technical partners, surveillance guidelines, protocols, surveys and monitoring/surveillance systems for detection, verification and response to polio tranmission; ensuring efficiency of data collection, correlation, analysis, interpretation, timely reporting and coordinate the work of a network of subregional monitors, as well as provide technical guidance to the epidemiologists assigned, as required.
• Conduct real-time analysis of outbreak intelligence data, with other team members, for epidemic forecasting and detection, guide team members on data quality improvement, use of data for monitoring of trends.
• Oversee data entry, data validation, analysis and reporting of assessments and surveys. Synergize data received from multiple sources.
• Identify training needs, evaluate and document outbreak response activities to ensure that all lessons learned are effectively incorporated into current best practices.
• Contribute to the preparation of GPEI communication products (situation reports, bulletins, donors alerts, and other ad-hoc reports).
• Represent WHO in coordination meeting with partners involved in epidemiology and monitoring.
• Develop and manage approaches in assigned countries that can achieve polio eradication while contributing to strengthening routine immunization systems.

Competencies

• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Teamwork
• Communication

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Sound knowledge and skills in poliovirus surveillance, planning and implementation of SIAs against poliovirus.
• Proven ability to multitask across various planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response.

Education Qualifications

For the P3 level

Essential: A first level university degree in medicine, epidemiology, statistics, database management,public health or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

For the P4 level

Essential: An advanced level university degree (Master’s level or above) in medicine, epidemiology, statistics, database management,public health or related field from an accredited/recognized institute. Desirable: First university degree in health related field/ Specialized training in communicable diseases.

Experience

For the P3 level

Essential:At least five (5) years’ related experience, at the national and international levels, in quantitative epidemiology and the implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response in humanitarian settings.

Desirable: Prior humanitarian working experience with poliovirus surveillance and implementation of the SIAs against poliovirus.

For the P4 level

Essential : At least seven (7) years’ related experience, at the national and international levels, in quantitative epidemiology and the implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response in humanitarian settings

Desirable: Prior humanitarian working experience with poliovirus surveillance and implementation of the SIAs against poliovirus.

Use of Language Skills

• Excellent knowledge of English or French (depending on the country of assignment).
• Knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic would be an asset.

Other Skills

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Working knowledge of online data collection applications, statistical analysis packages (Stata, SPSS, etc).
• Working knowledge of GIS mapping software (or similar) would be an asset.

Additional Information

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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: https://www.whed.net. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review. For information on WHO's operations please visit: https://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice - https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values
• 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.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant. WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.