Technical Officer

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 204,886 USD and 256,769 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.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Global Infectious Hazards Preparedness (GIH) advances global efforts to prevent and control existing and emerging infectious diseases by increasing access to evidence-based interventions; fostering impactful innovation; and leveraging technical, operational and strategic partnerships. In addition, GIH develops global mechanisms to facilitate coordination and collaboration between countries and multi-sectoral partners for catastrophic events of natural, accidental ordeliberate origin. The department of Global Infectious Hazards Preparednessis committed to delivering GPW13 Outcome 2.2 Epidemics and pandemics prevented, through:

(i) Delivering risk assessment, technical guidance, interventions and control strategies for country impact;

(ii) Promoting innovation and adoption of new technologies;

(iii) Aligning and coordinating international action through trusted partnership;

(iv) Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to life-saving interventions and supplies.

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DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical leadership and managerial support to the office in the area of Epidemic Disease Control through effective selection and implementation of diagnostic testing.
2. Oversee the design of strategic plans to advise Member States on the development and implementation of policies for preventative measures and elimination of epidemic disease including to strengthen national laboratory systems.
3. Lead and oversee the development of guidelines related to the control of epidemic disease and the establishment and promotion of surveillance and monitoring of regional and/or country levels to obtain accurate information from countries and recommend new strategies.
4. Oversee and coordinate work plans and budgets for team activities including resource mobilization for the work programme and monitor the implementation of planned activities.
5. Lead and conduct research on best practices and partners' experiences in implementing sustainable epidemic disease initiatives and disseminate information.
6. Coordinate and implement programs for capacity building in the area of epidemic disease.
7. Act as a technical advisor to the public concerning epidemic disease control and to respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related principles,practices, issues, measures, techniques and procedures.
8. Evaluate and provide strategic advice on national control plans of epidemic disease to support countries in the development of their health policies.
9. Oversee the development and management of a large international network of laboratory directors that can contribute to the creation and review of diagnostic policies, provide advice on specific technical issues, and support innovation in early detection and management of outbreak-prone pathogens.
10. Advocate, coordinate, and build partnerships with national counterparts, technical departments at HQ and negotiate with donor and development partners (UN and bilateral) to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to Epidemic Disease Public health systems and resolve issues orconcerns and seek funding for new projects and work programmes.
11. Assist with identification and recruitment oftechnical staff as necessary.
12. Ensure the development and implementation of a strategic testing plan for priority diseases of relevance (outbreak pathogens).
13. Represent WHO at various meetings.
14. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• An Advanced level university degree (MD or PhD) in clinical or laboratory sciences.
• Post-doctoral clinical specialization in infectious diseases.

Desirable:

• Specialization in Epidemic Disease and/or Public Health.

Experience

Essential:

• 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in laboratory detection of endemic and epidemic diseases, and in the development of policies/strategies/tools that promote health and preventative measures, investigation, surveillance, preparedness and control of various diseases.
• Experience working with low-and-middle income countries on disease control. Experience managing diverse teams.
• Experience attracting and managing donor funding for improved control of infectious diseases.
• Demonstrated experience at the international level

Desirable:

• Extensive multi-year experience with at least two endemic or epidemic diseases.
• Experience in the development and evaluation of new diagnostic test methods.

Skills

• Excellent knowledge and expertise of the diagnostic management of endemic and epidemic infectious diseases, with good understanding of relevant country's needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO'spolicies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze results, identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations for strengthening health care systems.
• Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Strong knowledge of health care systems, including in low and middle-income countries.
• Proven knowledge of technical aspects in the field of specialty.
• Capable public speaking to groups with and without technical expertise.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women andmen in all aspects of work.
• Team leadership, team spirit and time management skills.
• Broad disease specific expertise including the role of diagnosis and disease control.
• Deep understanding of the process of development, selection,and regulation of effective diagnostic tools.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Creating an empowering and motivating environment Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 89,837 (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 6094 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.

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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.