Technical Officer (IHP Infectious Hazard Prevention and Preparedness)

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 118,352 USD and 152,590 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 mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage public health threats and health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international response to contain outbreaks and health emergencies and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.The unit of Infectious Hazards Management is responsible for supporting countries for prevention and control of high threat diseases of both epidemic and pandemic potential through development and dissemination of evidence-based strategies, policies, tools, norms and standards to manage infectious disease hazards. The team of High Threat Pathogens (PAT) develops strategies, guidance, regional mechanisms and interventions to address high threat pathogens responsible for epidemics or pandemics thereby reducing their impact on affected populations and limiting their international spread. This group deals with known high threat pathogens such as cholera, dengue, influenza, avian influenza, Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF), Zika, coronaviruses like the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), meningitis and plague.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following functions: 1) Provide technical leadership, guidance and expert advice related to the technical work on High Threat Pathogen diseases of epidemic and pandemic potentials that are specific to the Region 2) Assist countries in strengthening the capacities of influenza surveillance system through provision of technical guidance, training and meetings3) Develop evidence-informed manuals, guidance, norms and standards for prevention and control of high threat pathogen diseases including seasonal influenza that are specific to the Region 4) Support the national assessments for influenza programs and provide technical input to national influenza preparedness plans and interacts with local health authorities and country offices to ensure timely delivery of output;5) Establish partnerships to facilitate knowledge sharing, in particular on influenza and public health impact, identify gaps in knowledge and develop plans and study protocols to address gaps on relation to influenza. 6) The risk of High Threat Pathogens, including circulation of seasonal, zoonotic and pandemic-prone influenza virus, ensure quality of the information received from the field and inform timely senior management so that the Organization can get prepared for any change in the situation.7) Coordinate with national focal points implementing influenza activities at country office level, and provide technical guidance and support to countries for development and implementation of appropriate work plans supported by IHM unit.8) Collaborate with the transfer of knowledge team to develop user-friendly materials for influenza risk communication and training. Establish strong collaborations with other teams/departments at WHO and other partner agencies to cover the various aspects of the public health response to outbreaks.9) Support and advise WHO Country Offices on the development and implementation of strategic plans to establish and strengthen national response to outbreaks from high threat pathogens, in particular on influenza.10) Provide technical support for establishing appropriate surveillance system for early detection, containment and response to emerging and other high threat pathogens including for seasonal and pandemic influenza; Develop plans to improve/enhance surveillance capacities for event detection, verification and response11) Provide support to the countries for development and implementation of appropriate policies and programmes for prevention and control of influenza and other emerging diseases including those from high threat pathogens; Assist the countries to develop public health preparedness plans for high threat pathogens including for Pandemic Human Influenza.12) Oversee and develop, timely evidence-based reports on influenza activities to the senior managers, donors and other stakeholders;13) Monitor and evaluate the influenza activities implemented by the member states and provide feedback to focal points at country office and health authorities;14) Act as the technical lead in the incident management structure and establish strong collaborations with other teams/departments at WHO and other partner agencies to cover the various aspects of the public health response to outbreaks of high threat pathogens.15) Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in Medicine with Master's degree in public health Desirable: Training on epidemiology or surveillance for respiratory diseases

Experience

Essential: Atleast 7 years of combined national and international level experience in publichealth especially in the control and prevention of infectiousdiseasesincluding both epidemic and pandemic diseases, and networking with clinicians.Proven experience in managing finances, budgets and staff andclear proof of responsibility for management of work plan activities. Desirable: Proven primary responsibility for managing crosscutting initiatives involving different departments or organizational entities in a multinational context such as the UN, WHO or similar

Skills

1) Knowledge on epidemiology of infectious diseases specially influenza2) Proven understanding of the management of acute and urgent public health responses, including infectious disease outbreaks.3) Experience in outbreak investigation and management4) Proven experience in management (finances, budgets and staff) and clear proof of responsibility for management of work plan activities.5) Demonstrated effectiveness in building sustained partnerships and working with others in international settings.6) Capacity to work on cross sectoral projects.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Ensuring the effective use of resources Creating an empowering and motivating environment### Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic or another.

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 74,913 (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 2260 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.