JOB DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The post holder will ensure WHO access to country-specific data and their analysis. He will collaborate with relevant authorities to improve the analysis and provision of evidence to facilitate public health policy advice and decision-making. The incumbent will strengthen national capacities for disease prevention and control by collaborating in the development and implementation of national public health programs and strategies for surveillance and response, which may include emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. It can also serve to strengthen the national immunization system, as well as early detection, verification and rapid response to epidemics and other public health events of national or international interest.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the WHO Representative (WR), the post holder will provide technical support to the national immunization program to strengthen routine immunization, achieve measles elimination objectives, yellow fever, meningitis, neonatal tetanus (NMT) and other initiatives through sensitive surveillance systems and routine vaccination specifically. The incumbent assumes all or part of the following duties, as well as other related responsibilities depending on the needs of the office. Work in coordination with all technical focal points at regional level and headquarters, under the direction of the Head of the WHO Country Office. Provide advice to national public health authorities and manage the epidemiological work of the country office that supports shape policy formulation. Support relevant teams in strengthening core capabilities for surveillance, early detection, verification and rapid response to outbreaks and other public health events of international concern, as required by the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. Ensure that the WHO country office has access to all existing relevant data on immunization in countries. These include national and subnational datasets, such as demographics of populations affected by specific diseases (age, gender, etc.) and temporal trends. Analyze these data sets to provide additional information on the vaccination context and epidemiological situation of the country. Serve as the contact person for all internal and external requests relating to country-specific vaccination data. Where applicable, ensure government agreement for the use and dissemination of this data. Help the government and relevant institutions strengthen the national immunization system and national capacities in terms of forecasting and detection of disease outbreaks and trends, including epidemiology and laboratory surveillance for monitoring and evaluation of baseline surveillance and real-time analysis of outbreak information data.Coordinate the development training courses for public health professionals on epidemiological surveillance, outbreak investigation and/or improvement of related data management. Manage the support provided by the WHO Office to the government in the conduct of field investigations into public health events, when the specific country or health situation requires it.Collaborate with health emergency teams to promote the WHO position and successfully influence national health authorities to develop infection prevention and control programs in health care settings, including (if applicable) with emphasis on preparedness and response to epidemics and pandemics. Participate, where appropriate, in risk assessment of unusual health events. Collaborate with relevant authorities to development and maintenance of a national system for comprehensive data collection and trend analysis of public health events. Manage the analysis, interpretation and knowledge development of surveillance data ( including virological data) through WHO, peer-reviewed publications and media. Encourage collaboration and develop awareness-raising initiatives and project proposals for joint action and resource mobilization to strengthen national and operational responses to public health events. Provide the primary liaison between government and WHO (at all levels) regarding the collection and dissemination of country-specific data, as well as analysis of data produced by WHO.* Perform other tasks as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential : University degree in epidemiology, public health, medicine or other studies in a field directly related to the position.
Desirable :

EXPERIENCE

Essential : A minimum of five years of professional experience relevant to the position (in epidemiology, including the development and/or implementation of programs, policies and guidelines, as well as monitoring and evaluation diseases and public health issues), part of which in an international context.
Desirable : Experience in public health interventions in complex emergency and humanitarian crisis situations. Experience in managing vaccine-preventable diseases. Relevant experience in a developing country context is desirable.

SKILLS

The incumbent should be able to demonstrate: Proven professional knowledge and skills in the development and implementation of public health surveillance systems. Proven expertise in the collection, analysis and interpretation of surveillance data epidemiological and event-related.* Strong ability to process, analyze and interpret epidemiological and event-based surveillance data. Expertise in providing technical support/advice for rapid response to public health events. Experience in analyzing and interpreting data relating to epidemics/pandemics. Knowledge of the country’s communicable and non-communicable disease profile. Knowledge of vaccine-preventable diseases. Proven training skills (development and conduct of training). Ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, projects and programs. Demonstrated skills in developing public health guidelines.

WHO COMPETENCIES

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English.

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 3019 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

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• 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.

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• 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 shws@who.int.
• 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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