Technical Officer, Strategic Information

Overview

Manage public health data and strengthen epidemic response efforts

You have:

• University degree in public health, epidemiology, data science, computer science, or related fields.
• At least five years' experience in public health data management, epidemiological analysis, or data science.
• Two years of international experience is required.
• Experience with advanced analytics and predictive modeling using R, Python or similar.
• Knowledge in SQL for managing relational databases is necessary.
• Expert knowledge of English is essential.
• Advanced university degree in relevant fields is desirable.
• Field experience in epidemiology, surveillance, or control of health events is desirable.

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

The mission of WHE 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.The health emergency information and risk assessment (HIM) unit provides authoritative information for decision-making in emergencies, with responsibility for identifying and verifying new public health events, monitoring epidemiological situation and public health response, assessing risks to public health, and communicating timely health emergency information. The unit conducts public health intelligence activities, running regional event-based surveillance, facilitating IHR event communication and conducting relevant analytics. The HIM unit also supports countries to strengthen systems and capacities for surveillance, risk assessment and field epidemiology to manage health security threats. The work of the HIM unit is guided by the Strategic Framework for Action for Surveillance, Risk Assessment and Field Epidemiology for Health Security Threats in the WHO South-East Asia Region. strengthening Surveillance, Risk Assessment and Field Epidemiology for Health Security Threats in the WHO South-East Asia Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of Programme Area Manager (PAM) for HIM and overall guidance of Lead Regional Emergencies (LRE) and Regional Emergency Director (RED), the incumbent is assigned with the following duties:

1. Contribute to implementation of Strategic Framework for Action for Strengthening Surveillance, Risk Assessment and Field Epidemiology for Health Security Threats in the WHO South-East Asia Region, with a focus on strengthening information management in relation to health security threats and emergencies.

2. Conduct and/or coordinate the management of data and information related to health security threats and emergencies. This will involve setting sound incident database and procedures for efficient collection, cleaning, integration, curation, and secure storage of health data.

3. Support strategic analysis of data related to outbreaks and health emergencies to inform response decision making, risk assessment and readiness planning, using appropriate statistical methods, analytics and modelling methods.

4. Leverage structured query language (SQL) and other data manipulation tools to conduct in-depth data mining, predictive modeling, and trend analysis, uncovering critical patterns and insights within health data that can inform public health alerts and interventions.

5. Design, develop, and maintain machine learning and artificial intelligence models to analyze large amount of public health data, for detection of early warning signals and situational awareness. This may involve developing and refining algorithms to automate the processing, interpretation, management, and visualization of health surveillance data.

6. Contribute to regional efforts to strengthen health information systems for public health surveillance, especially to promote surveillance standards for priority diseases.

7. Contribute to public health intelligence activities, especially through managing and analyzing the data on acute public health events, and collectively developing the information products.

8. Provide technical assistance to countries and WHO country offices to: Manage data and information on health security threats and health emergencies to translate complex data-driven insights into actionable public health interventions; Strengthen systems, standards and capacities for sound data and information management; Enhance capacities for data analysis, mapping and visualization; Strengthen health information systems for public health surveillance, incorporating the surveillance standards, in line with the SMART guidelines; and Incorporate the relevant advancements in machine learning, artificial intelligence and data management technologies.

9. Support countries' efforts to strengthen field epidemiology capacities, especially to enhance capacities for data management, analysis and visualization capacities.

10. As part of the team efforts, provide technical support to countries in strengthening multi-source collaborative surveillance in countries.

11. Represent HIM/WHE/SEARO to various technical meetings related to data management, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence in the context of health emergencies.

12. Perform any other duties including as required by the PAM/HIM, including backstopping for others.

13. Submit an end of assignment report (mandatory).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in public health, epidemiology, data science, computer science, or other discipline related to the functions of the post. Desirable: Advanced university degree (master or doctoral degree) in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential: At least five (5) years' experience, including two years of international experience, in public health data management, epidemiological analysis, or data science, including experiences handling large scale and complex dataset. Desirable: Demonstrated experiences in conducting advanced analytics and/or predictive modeling to inform public health decision making using R, Python and/or similar analytics package. Field experience in epidemiology, surveillance and/or control of acute public health events in low- or middle-income country/countries, in collaboration with the local authorities. Experiences working for WHO, an UN Agency or other international organization. International exposure, as defined as work experience in a multicultural environment; and/or proven relevant experience of working with partners across different geographical/cultural settings.

Skills

Expertise in managing complex health data related to outbreaks and emergencies, including collection, cleaning, integration, and secure storage of health data, under pressure in a fast-moving environment. Advanced skills in data analytics and visualization using appropriate statistical and analytics methods using R, Shiny, Python or other similar packages. Working knowledge in the use of SQL to manage relational database. Skills in using geographical intelligence system an asset.Skills and knowledge in predictive modelling in the context of public health desirable. Working knowledge and skills in machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions in the context of public surveillance. Knowledge in infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response. Demonstrated ability to diplomatically communicate with the Government counterparts, colleagues in the organization and partners and with multi-disciplinarily stakeholders. Advanced skills and knowledge to providing trainings to the public health staff in resource-limited countries. Scientific writing, communication and presentation skills.

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:

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 2495 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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