Technical Officer (Infection Prevention and Control)

Contract

This is a NO-B contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about NO-B contracts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work2020-2025 -“United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens' expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity. WHO Azerbaijan Country Office via USAID Azerbaijan Pandemic Response Activity aims to improve/establish the IPC (Infection Prevention and Control) system and its services, training and standards, building on and amplifying previous achievements. According to the Core Components of IPC programmes, countries should establish an active, stand-alone, national IPC programme with clearly defined objectives, functions, and activities to prevent health care-associated infections (HAIs) and to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The National IPC Programme should be linked with other relevant national programs and professional organizations. A system-wide improvement to IPC aligned with WHO's Core Components would contribute to the overall strengthening of the health system and contribute to assisting the Government of Azerbaijan in meeting the core capacities of the International Health Regulations (2005) and achieve long term sustainable solutions.

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DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) in WHO/Europe an within the framework of the USAID-funded Azerbaijan Pandemic Response Activity Project, the incumbent will provide technical assistance in the area of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) aiming to implement the WHO minimum requirements of IPC programmes and the framework for IPC in outbreak preparedness, readiness and response at national level and in selected facilities duties:

• Support the implementation of the IPC 2023 work plan in line with objectives and targets of the project in close coordination with national counterparts and partners;
• Support the national IPC Committee to establish and implement the National IPC Strategy including development of IPC standards, protocols and procedures;
• Support the development of the national IPC training strategy for health workforce in collaboration with the relevant groups within the WHO Country Office;
• Support the piloting of a point prevalence survey addressing health care-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial consumption in selected hospitals;
• Contribute to and support the establishment of relevant IPC education programmes for technical content, at the Azerbaijan Medical University, nursing colleges and other educational institutions at associate, undergraduate, and post-graduate levels;
• Contribute to procurement activities under the project in coordination with relevant partners;
• Contribute to the organization of IPC training activities;
• Coordinate and support the development/update of specific IPC training materials in coordination with relevant partners and ministries;
• Deliver regular technical progress reports in line with project requirements and within the given deadlines;
• Provide support for the coordination of project activities at country level and ensure effective coordination and collaboration among related institutions, local authorities and NGOs;
• Support the communications team to facilitate advocacy and communication activities and provide support in the organization of meetings of project partners and NGOs to increase national awareness including visibility and media events whenever required and in line with the communication and visibility plan of the project.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in medicine, health or equivalent areas, relevant to this position. Desirable: Advanced university degree (Master's level) in any of the aforementioned subjects. Qualification in IPC, or postgraduate degree/diploma in infectious diseases/microbiology, public health or health management.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years of professional experience at national level working with infectious diseases, IPC, AMR, surveillance. Demonstrated experience working with stakeholders such as national policymakers, NGOs, Health authorities, international organizations in the area of infection disease, IPC, AMR or similar. Desirable: Demonstrated experience in planning and implementation of health-related projects or programmes. Good connections with local health authorities and/or groups of interest for the WHO would be an asset.

Skills

Technical expertise in infection prevention and control (IPC) area of work

Excellent communication and report-writing skills;

Strong interpersonal skills, able to work across cultures and with the capacity to build strong working relationships;

Knowledge of Office software applications.

Excellent interpersonal skills, discretion, tact and diplomacy.

Emotional intelligence;

Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Azerbaijani. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, German.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at AZN 66,692 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (

https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

)are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to

reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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