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 107,719 USD and 141,049 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 health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, at the East and Southern Africa sub-regional level, the incumbent will work with member states and regional partners to support strengthening of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), a component of Emergency preparedness and response. The Technical officer IPC will provide technical support and guidance to the WCOs and MoH for mainstreaming infection prevention and control into health systems planning and strengthening IPC practice with special emphasis on readiness for response to public health emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In order to strengthen IPC implementation in the East and Southern Africa countries, the Technical Officer IPC will undertake the following duties:

1. Provide technical guidance to countries to strengthen capacity and readiness in Infection Prevention and Control, with special attention to capacities necessary for prevention and monitoring of nosocomial transmission of infectious diseases, through establishment of strong IPC programmes and plans within the health sector.
2. Support and monitor capacity building efforts in infection prevention and control in WCA by WHO, countries and partners, including ensuring appropriate approach and training materials are used for capacity building and mentoring of health workers at national and subnational level.
3. Provide technical guidance to the incident management teams at EPR Hub - Dakar, WCOs, and MoHs and the Regional Partners in the implementation and monitoring of IPC readiness and ensure harmonization and alignment of the different partner tools and contributions.
4. Support co-chair the Infection Prevention and Control Sub-Working Group of the Health Partners Group and coordinate their technical guidance and support to countries in WCA countries in this area of work, including ensuring regular, efficient, and effective meetings of the Working Group as well as follow up on meeting action points.
5. Share updated guidance on different aspects of infection prevention and control with countries and support the country adaptation process and implementation of the guidance as necessary.
6. Continuously assess and monitor infection prevention and control capacities and implementation in member states with special focus on health worker protection and nosocomial infection; and provide guidance and support in filling the identified gaps to enhance readiness and ensure effective response.
7. Collate and verify data on reported achievements/progress within the intervention area from multiple sources, and conduct analysis to determine trends, distribution patterns, and effectiveness.
8. Keep track of the level of sub-regional and national capacities, using the WHO IPC tools, and ensure progressive improvements towards the requirements for effective emergency response. Prepare regular updates on sub-regional and national IPC preparedness for public health events.
9. Participate in and provide technical guidance to the Regional Health Partners Group meeting to ensure that appropriate technical decisions are made and followed through to strengthen the implementation of infection prevention and control.
10. Guide and mobilize regional partners to support implementation of the IPC interventions at national and sub-national levels in a sustainable manner, particularly in countries with low capacity and high levels of nosocomial infections among health care workers.
11. Perform any other duties, as requested by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: First level University degree in medicine or medical related field from an accredited/recognized institute

Desirable:

• Additional training in infection prevention and control in prevention and control of infectious disease epidemics and pandemics.
• Masters degree in medicine, epidemiology, infectious disease control or public health from an accredited/recognized institute

Experience

Essential: At least five years related experience in implementation of public health interventions, control of communicable diseases, and outbreak investigation and response.

Desirable: Experience working in infection prevention and control in developing countries. Previous experience working in collaboration with and coordination of multiple actors in emergency preparedness and response is desirable. Previous experience in case management and infection prevention and control particularly pertaining to control of infectious disease outbreaks ad pandemics is desirable.

Skills

• Sound knowledge and skills in infection prevention and control, partner coordination, capacity building, secondary data review and analysis, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven ability to multitask across various planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding environment
• Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response with particular attention to application of an all hazard approach in the context of the International Health Regulations

• Critical thinking and analysis skills

  WHO Competencies

• Teamwork

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge of French

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English

The above language requirement are interchangeable

REMUNERATION

WHO offers staff in the Professional Category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at 62,692 US Dollars (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable). 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.