Technical Officer (Public Health Intelligence)

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 74,649 USD and 97,747 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

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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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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Under the technical supervision of the Program Area Manager, Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment PAM-HIM and overall supervision of the Regional Emergency Director(RED), the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to needs:

1. Carry out all aspects of early detection of acute public health events, including but not limited to event-based surveillance; verification and risk assessment; monitoring; and information-sharing on events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern; the analysis linked to the formulation of briefing documents and materials; situation analyses; information management using Event Management System (EMS); and convening multi-disciplinary risk assessment, as appropriate.

2.Contribute with other staff in the HIM Team to update and implement WHO-wide Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and tools for detecting, verifying, assessing and monitoring events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern in line with the operational requirements of IHR;

3. As part of the team, contribute in developing tools and guidance on event-based surveillance and risk assessment. This may include the following duties:[a] developing and updating SOPs and strategic policies for event-based surveillance and risk assessment of public health threats; [b] providing technical guidance to further the development of WHO Event Management system (EMS) and Event Information Site (EIS) and other related systems; [c] encouraging or promoting the implementation of new approaches and innovative methods to systematically detect and assess events of potential significance to international public health, with emphasis on building partnerships networks; [d] elaborating state-of-the-art processes to critically monitor and evaluate performance and results of epidemic intelligence activities; [e] enhancing and encouraging world-wide and regional information sharing as a key component of promoting and nurturing a culture of multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches within WHO and with key partners.

4. Take part in emergency epidemiological field investigation and field risk-assessment missions, when required.

5. Identify key knowledge, experience and skills to enhance the continuous adapt strategies, policies and implement best practices.

6. Provide capacity building and training to colleagues within WHO and partners, including Ministries of Health, with focus on enhancing epidemiology, Public Health Intelligence, event-based surveillance and risk assessment core competencies

7. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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Education

Essential: University degree in epidemiology, public health, nursing, or other related health discipline from recognized university. Desirable: Advanced degree in epidemiology or public health from recognized university

Experience

Essential: At least five years' professional experience in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events at national and international levels; Experiences in collaborating with the Ministry of Health for acute public health events (not just specific disease programme) in low or middle income country/countries; Demonstrated experience in working for a large epidemic or public health emergency at the national and/or international levels. International exposure, as defined as work experience in a multicultural environment; proven relevant experience of working with partners across different geographical/cultural settings; and/or proven relevant experience of working on a project in different geographical/cultural settings. Desirable: Professional experience on multi-hazard public health intelligence on acute public health events at national and/or international levels including experiences in event-based surveillance and risk assessment Field (country) experience in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events in low or middle income country/countries; Experiences in inter-agency collaboration for surveillance, preparedness, or response for acute public health events. Experiences working for WHO, an UN Agency or other international organization.

Skills

Demonstrated ability to conduct event-based surveillance and risk assessment of acute public health events. Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease preparedness, surveillance and response. Demonstrated ability to diplomatically communicate and advise the Government counterparts, colleagues in the organization and partners. Proven ability to multi-task across various planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding environment Proven ability to interact multi-disciplinarily and cross-cutting environment in involving technical, cultural and political elements. Sound analytical and organizational skills. Willingness to be deployed at short notice in support of international emergency health interventions. Excellent presentation and communication skills, with emphasis on writing skills. Proven ability to work in team and produce results under pressure in critical situations.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Setting an example Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable:

REMUNERATION

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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 1865 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

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• 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.