Technical Officer - Applied Epidemiology Programme (AEP)

Contract

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

Objectives of the Programme

WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans aiming at promoting access to and utilization of affordable and quality health services and improving the financial protection against health-related risks.

The Country Office contributes to providing technical support in developing national policies, strategies and activities in the area of health systems strengthening including, (i) advocating for Universal Health Coverage and building up national capacity in UHC-related matters (ii) facilitating the adoption of evidence-based public health interventions as well as appropriate reforms/changes with a view to promote equity and accelerate the movement towards universal health coverage.

Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO

WHO’s mandate revolves around six (6) leadership priorities specifying (i) advancing universal health coverage (ii) health related sustainable development goals (iii) addressing the challenge of non-communicable diseases and mental health, violence and injuries and disabilities (iv) implementing the provisions of the International Health Regulations (2005) (v) increasing access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products (vi) addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health.

The South – East Asia Region (SEAR) of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India’s population of 1.3 billion. All the Member States of WHO/SEAR (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste), share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.

Mission of the WHO Country Office for India

The mission of WHO India is to improve quality of life of the 1.3 billion people in India by supporting the government in eliminating vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases, reducing maternal and neonatal mortalities, promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing determinants of health, preparing and responding to health emergencies and strengthening health systems for universal health coverage.

In the context of the 13th General Programme of Work and within the framework of the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (2019-23), the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in:

• Accelerating progress on universal health coverage
• Promoting health and wellness by addressing determinants of health
• Better protect the population against health emergencies
• Enhancing India’s global leadership in health

WHO India Country Office India hosts the Applied Epidemiology Programme (AEP) to train public health professionals and develop a cadre of experienced epidemiologists for the country. The training was initiated as part of transition plan from Polio to Public health to realign to the changing public health needs of the country.

Description of Duties:

Under the overall guidance of the Team-Leader, National Public Health Support Programme (NPSP), technical oversight and day-to-day supervision of the National Professional Officer- Science and Training-NPSP, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

• Provide technical support to the trainees/officers of AEP on their Core Activity of Learning (CAL)
• Mentor officers related to outbreak investigations, evaluations of public health surveillance system and epidemiological studies
• Review projects and work (reports, abstracts, manuscripts, scientific presentations) conducted by AEP trainees/officers for scientific quality
• Work with AEP secretariat to conduct weekly seminars and contact sessions/workshops
• Support in reviewing training materials
• Support the frontline epidemiology trainings for surveillance medical officers
  • • Review training curriculum with partners
  • Conduct contact sessions
  • Review assign projects of the officers
  • Maintain a database of the frontline epi trainings conducted/participated
• Any other work assigned by the Training Coordinator or NPO, Science and Training, NPSP

Education:

Essential: University degree in Medicine (MCI/State Medical Council registration essential) with Epidemic Intelligence Service or FETP (Advanced or intermediate) Training

Desirable: Post Graduation in Community Medicine/Preventive & Social medicine/Public Health/other allied fields

Experience:

Essential: At least two (2) years of public health experience after graduation (post-graduation will be counted as experience).

Desirable: Experience in Epidemic Intelligence Service Training/ Public Health course training would be an added advantage.

Languages: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English will be an asset.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

The candidate should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization. Good knowledge of modern office procedures and practices. Ability to analyze data; capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports.

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.

Remuneration:

Monthly remuneration is INR 218,855 taxable as per Indian laws and the appointment will be through Special Services Agreement (SSA) extendable subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the function. S/he could be posted anywhere in India as per the Project needs.

Additional Information

• WHO-AEP Technical Officer is a national of the country (India) in which he/she is to serve, is recruited locally and is not subject to assignment to any official station outside the home country. Only Indian Nationals should apply.
• The incumbent should contribute to ensuring high professional, ethical, and institutional standards of the Organization. S/he should also 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.
• Applications which are not completed in all respects will not be considered.
• This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill similar positions at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and interviews will be used as a form of screening
• 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 a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• 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.
• Any extension of appointment would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.