Technical Officer (Global Influenza Surveillance & Response System)

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 138,772 USD and 181,712 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 department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention (EPP) is 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. The Global Influenza Programme (GIP), supports countries in seasonal, zoonotic and pandemic influenza management by strengthening surveillance, monitoring and data utilization; promoting seasonal prevention and control programming; and preparing for next influenza pandemic. As learning from the COVID-19 pandemic response, and along the transitioning of acute pandemic response towards sustainable public health management, GIP is expanding its global influenza surveillance system for SARS-CoV-2 and the next novel respiratory virus threat.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Develop implementation details of the process of GISRS Plus development towards the finalization of the strategic action plan.

2. Support relevant consultations with key stakeholders along the consultative process to address operational details of GISRS Plus including those from the WHO World Health Assembly.

3. Develop a comprehensive pilot plan comprising different modules of GISRS Plus, roll-out the pilot, collect and feedback to the finalization of GISRS Plus strategic action plan.

4. Monitor the status of the integrated surveillance of influenza and SARS-CoV-2, support strengthening such integrated surveillance at national, regional and global levels in collaboration with relevant teams in WHO HQ, Regional and Country Offices.

5. Identify and prioritize the needs from countries, develop training plans to strengthen capacity in countries of integrated surveillance of GISRS and broad in collaborative surveillance including event-based and early warning surveillance in collaboration with Regional and Country Offices.

6. Draft, prepare and/or develop project-related documents and other materials including project proposals, progress reports, advocacy slides, and relevant technical feedbacks to varying requesters.

7. Provide generic project management support to the Global Influenza Programme. Manage the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables.

8. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree in epidemiology, microbiology, medicine, public health and other areas related to the functions of the position.

Desirable: MD, or Masters-level/ PhD or equivalent in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential:

1. A minimum of 5 years managing projects related to surveillance and laboratory of influenza and other viral pathogens including several years at regional or global levels. 2. Demonstrated experience in integrated surveillance of influenza and SARS-CoV-2. 3. Demonstrated experience in COVID-19 pandemic response notably epidemiological or laboratory surveillance. 4. Demonstrated experience and success in capacity building in countries related to influenza and other viral disease surveillance.

Desirable: 1. Experience in working in the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). 2. Experience in non-influenza virus surveillance. 3. Experience working in WHO or other UN agencies.

Skills

1. Extensive knowledge of laboratory surveillance of influenza and preferably also other viruses. 2. Extensive knowledge of the functioning of the WHO global surveillance mechanisms for influenza. 3. Knowledge of WHO practices and rules on implementing projects. 4. Excellent writing skills.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork 2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences 3. Communication 4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond 5. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: 1. Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: 2. Intermediate knowledge of French. 2. Intermediate knowledge of any other official UN language.

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 62,692 (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 4300 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.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.