Surveillance Officer (Polio)

Overview

Provide technical expertise and support polio eradication initiatives in Angola.

You have:

• Degree in medicine with post-graduate degree in Public Health or Epidemiology from a recognized university
• At least 5 years of international public health experience in planning, training, surveillance and implementation of EPI
• Expert knowledge of English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish
• Training in poliomyelitis eradication or other disease control and surveillance programmes
• Field experience in immunization and disease control including polio eradication

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 141,367 USD and 182,264 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 area of work involves working with the Immunization, vaccines and Emergencies (IVE) cluster of WHO, WHO representative and the immunization section of the Ministry of Health to provide expertise and high-quality immunization services to Angola, in order to prevent morbidity, mortality and disability from diseases which are preventable through the optimum use of currently available vaccines and vaccines that become available periodically.The daily work will involve regular monitoring and feedback on surveillance performance indicators, capacity building to WHO field staff and central MoH surveillance unit, field supervision and participation in the joint WHO/ MOH meetings as necessary.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the IVE Focal Point and the coordination of WHO Representative, the incumbent will provide technical expertise and cooperate with national authorities towards the goals of polio eradication, neonatal tetanus and measles elimination through effective surveillance systems.1. Develop and reinforce national surveillance system for AFP/EPI, monitor the completeness and effectiveness of reporting and the use of surveillance performance indicators at the country level;2. Provide information on the progress of the Polio Eradication Initiative and other EPI-related activities to the IVE Focal Point including:a. Monthly AFP line list in the country;b. Annual incidence of EPI target diseases in the country and routine coverage achieved;c. Data on supplementary immunization activities carried out in the country;d. Polio Certification activities carried out by all NCC in Angola in alignment with the ARCC orientations3. Assist the national authorities in the preparation of quality Polio NIDs and other supplementary immunization activities for disease control;4. Initiate evaluation of country programmes and assist national authorities to develop national plans of action in relation to requirements of the EPI disease control goals. Review country level surveillance and identify the need for changes in national strategies;5. Coordinate the monitoring and follow up of the Polio laboratories activities to ensure the timeliness of the availability of lab results and provide a feedback to the Ministry of Health. 6. Conduct training activities for central MoH staff and field officers on disease surveillance and response.7. Participate in the planning and Implementation of operational research activities supportive of poliomyelitis eradication and other EPI disease surveillance activities in Angola;8. Any other duties assigned by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Degree in medicine with post-graduate degree in Public Health or Epidemiology from a recognized university Desirable: Training in poliomyelitis eradication or other disease control and surveillance programmes or EPI would be an advantage.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of international public health experience in planning, training, surveillance and implementation of EPI. Desirable: Field experience in the immunization and disease control including polio eradication. Experience with WHO in Africa would be an asset

Skills

Technical expertise in public health, epidemiology, disease control and immunization. Ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international level. Ability to provide leadership, monitor progress and design studies;

WHO Competencies

Communication Producing results Teamwork Setting an example Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French. Expert knowledge of Portuguese. Expert knowledge of Spanish.

The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 75,602 (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 5361 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.

Potential interview questions