Technical Officer (Poliovirus Containment)

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 135,488 USD and 177,411 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 Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health (CDE) assists country efforts to reduce the burden of communicable diseases and addresses the social, economic and environmental determinants of health, and promotes policies and actions for health through stewardship of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. It focuses on health promotion measures, behavioral insights; communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and vector-borne and neglected tropical diseases; elimination and control of vaccine-preventable diseases and advocacy for increased use of vaccines; containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance; addressing existing and emerging environmental health risks and supporting violence and injury prevention. A determination to ensure universal access to people-centered quality health services across the continuum of care is matched by enriching the evidence base for policy design and interventions using social, cultural and behavioral approaches, to drive implementation of innovation at national, regional and local levels. The Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunization unit, a flagship initiative through the implementation of 2030 European regional immunization agenda, will set a course for everyone in the WHO European Region to enjoy the full benefits of vaccines, including Covid-19 vaccine, across their life-course. It will focus on addressing immunization inequities between and within countries, based on local data and evidence, through innovative local level programming and tailored interventions for a demonstrable impact. Within the domain of addressing immunization inequity in the Region, the agenda will support building a resilient immunization system in "Middle-Income Countries” by strengthening critical components of national immunization programmes. The unit will bring existing partners, WHO Collaborating Centres, sub regional platforms, community-based and civil-society organizations and non-traditional immunization partners to forge renewed partnerships and harness the available technical expertise of academic institutions in the Region towards making the 2030 European regional immunization agenda a reality.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of the post is to provide technical support to the Member States in the area of Poliovirus Containment in implementing poliovirus containment measures within a framework of the Global Poliovirus Eradication Initiative in the WHO European Region. Poliovirus containment implementation is one of the critical elements of post-polio eradication era and Polio Post-certification strategy to ensure the risk of any facility-related poliovirus escape and re-introduction into a polio-free world is mitigated to the maximum extent possible. Key duties: Update regional inventory data based on the data received from Member States and keep national inventories of facilities handling/storing poliovirus infectious materials updated and verified in accordance with global containment requirements and implementation timeframe. Liaise with National Poliovirus Containment Coordinators to ensure poliovirus-related risk mitigation for facilities handling/storing poliovirus potentially infectious materials including those directly involved in polio eradication programme and beyond such as Measles and Rubella, Rotavirus surveillance, and other public health areas. Work closely with a respective National Authority for Containment and WHO/HQ Poliovirus Containment Team in the event of a reported containment breach in a facility to ensure that the event is investigated, and appropriate response measures are taken in close collaboration with the GCC Containment Working Group in terms of the Containment Certification status for such facility. Provide technical support (as a secretariat) in reviewing the Annual Progress Reports on Polio Eradication Activities submitted by Member States to the Regional Commission for Certification of Polio Eradication (RCC), reporting review results and containment-related risk assessment to the RCC. Work with National Authorities for Containment to facilitate the process of Containment Certification for facilities that will retain poliovirus infectious materials after polio eradication. Provide technical support into development of training courses, simulation exercises on poliovirus containment as required, including new reporting templates/tools. Provide technical support in areas including the monitoring of poliovirus isolation events in the Region and maintaining of a respective database, collaboration with the European Polio Laboratory Network to ensure timely reporting, collaboration with national immunization programmed to properly assess the risk of poliovirus reintroduction in case of poliovirus importation or containment breach, etc., as needed and required. Ensure poliovirus containment is appropriately addressed by the WHO/Europe communication channels; work with communication team to timely update the content for WHO/Europe poliovirus containment webpage. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor(s).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in virology. Desirable: Post-graduate qualification in picornavirus virology. Training(s) in the field of poliovirus containment.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of work experience in the field of picornavirology and poliovirus containment. Desirable: Relevant work experience within WHO and the United Nations or other international organization or institution. Demonstrated experience in the development and use of laboratory data management systems and inventories. Demonstrated experience in biorisk assessment related to poliovirus.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of Poliovirus containment; Biorisk Management GAPIII and GAP IV, PIM Guidance and Containment Certification Scheme. Excellent communications skills. Demonstrated IT skills (in particular, experience in close work with IT specialists to develop inventory-related databases, advanced MS Excel and SharePoint skills).Emotional intelligence; Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

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

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 64,121 (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 4269 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• 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.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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

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

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