SIA Surveillance Officer (SO)

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) seeks to ensure that future generations of children will be free from the threat of polio. Achieving this goal depends on interrupting poliovirus transmission and on ensuring rapid and effective responses to poliovirus outbreaks occurring in polio-free countries

GPEI Strategy for the response to the cVDPV2 2020–2021, offers contingency measures across four mutually supportive areas of work: 1. enhanced outbreak response; 2. vaccine supply and usage; 3. early detection of new outbreaks; and 4. communication and promotion. Countries experiencing cVDPV2 outbreaks are expected to implement these strategies and break transmission within the shortest possible time.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office (WCO) for The United Republic of Tanzania seeks to engage a highly motivated professionals in the short term to support the implementation of emergency polio outbreak response activities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Under the overall guidance of WHO Representative to The United Republic of Tanzania and direct supervision of the GPEI Coordinator and the WHO EPI Team Lead, the incumbents will have the following responsibilities in her/his assigned area of work:

1.Collaborate closely with health workers, officials from Regional Health Management Team, Ministry of Health, Presidents Office, Regional Administration and Local Governments’ Teams (PORG) for all surveillance and immunization activities, supporting implementation of relevant strategies.

2.Prioritizes sites as “high”, “medium”, or “low” priority and develop a realistic short, medium and long-term operational plan to conduct active case search and sensitization.

3.Ensure the appropriate flow of data and take/ recommend timely actions between regional consultants, the Data Manager ang government counterparts

4.Coordinates all IDSR activities in the assigned regions with specific focus on active case search, acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) case investigation, validation, and follow up.

5.Support President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Governments’ (PORG) at all levels at all levels to strengthen and maintain a sensitive surveillance system within the framework of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) with a special focus on polio eradication, and vaccine preventable diseases and supp

6.Support the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Governments’ (PORG) at all levels to strengthen immunization services especially in high risk and special populations.

7.Monitor and evaluate the planning and implementation of activities related to polio eradication, routine immunization and vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) surveillance.

8.Conduct regular analysis and interpretation of epidemiological, surveillance and immunization data to support appropriate follow up actions by the government and partners.

9.Undertake any other tasks/duties as assigned by supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health / Community Health or a relevant health field obtained from a recognized institution.

Desirable: Master’s in public health or related programme is desirable

Experience and Skills:

Experience:

Essential: At least five years' relevant experience in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of emergency incident management and response programmes.

Considerable experience in managing teams, budgets and resources including developing and promoting collaborative actions with national authorities.

Desirable: Prior humanitarian working experience at field level with WHO, other UN agencies, health cluster partners or an international nongovernmental or recognized humanitarian organizations with expertise in disaster and outbreak response.

Demonstrated experience working with subnational health authorities (province, region, and/or district) at the country level

Functional Skills and Knowledge (Describe skills and knowledge specific to the post):

1.Excellent Communication skills (both written and spoken);

2.Knowledge of Word Processing, Spreadsheet and presentation software;

3.Good analytical skills;

4.Ability to work in different environments and multi-task effectively;

5.Good presentation and inter-personal skills;

6.Sound knowledge of WHO standards and policies such as the IDSR and IHR

7.Knowledge and understanding of the functionality of EPI and surveillance systems at national, sub national, local and community levels of the health systems

8.Good writing and development of reports

9.Experience working successfully in similar position as outlined in the scope of work

COMPETENCIES:

1.Teamwork

2.Producing results

3.Fostering integration and teamwork

4.Communication

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of local language will be an asset.

HOW TO APPLY:

This position will be filled only by a national of The United Republic of Tanzania

The incumbent should contribute to ensuring high professional, ethical, and institutional standards of the Organization. Meet professional conduct expectations, and basic universal norms of honesty, integrity, loyalty, and lawful behavior. This includes compliance with the above, including ability to: perform within existing organizational structures and governance; adhere to WHO's processes; demonstrate gender and cultural sensitivity; demonstrate respectful and constructive interpersonal communication; perform as a team player; and demonstrate due diligence.

The UN system in Tanzania provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, diversity, integrity, a healthy balance of work and life, and equal opportunities for all, including persons with disabilities.

Qualified persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for UN vacancies and are protected from discrimination during all stages of employment.

Interested candidates should address an application comprising of a detailed Curriculum Vitae, Application letter, copies of certificates/diplomas/degrees and testimonials via the following link:

Qualified females are highly encouraged to apply.