JOB DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage public health threats and health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international response to contain outbreaks and health emergencies and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.The unit of Infectious Hazards Management is responsible for supporting countries for prevention and control of high threat diseases of both epidemic and pandemic potential through development and dissemination of evidence-based strategies, policies, tools, norms and standards to manage infectious disease hazards. The Sub-Unit of High Threat Pathogens (PAT) develops strategies, guidance, regional mechanisms and interventions to address high threat pathogens responsible for epidemics or pandemics thereby reducing their impact on affected populations and limiting their international spread. This group deals with known high threat pathogens such as influenza, Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHF), Zika, Chikungunya, cholera, yellow fever, coronaviruses like the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), meningitis and plague.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:

1. Lead and coordinate the work on High Threat Pathogens (HTP) within the Infectious Hazards Management (IHM) t with particular emphasis on prevention and control of e regional infectious hazards and threats, specific preparedness and readiness measures necessary to mitigate and prevent these threats. .

2. Ensure development, coordination and implementation of a strategic programme to respond and control threats with potential of regional/global spread (e.g. vector-borne epidemics, emerging and re-emerging pathogens including smallpox, plague, MERS-CoV and other respiratory viruses).

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3. Develop the technical guidelines and preparedness plan in collaboration with other disease programs and the preparedness groups in WHE and foster research for new tools and approaches to prevent and control infectious hazards with pandemic potential.

4. Provide the IHM contribution to the surveillance and risk analysis and risk communication of infectious hazards with pandemic potential in close collaboration with the risk assessment and information group and other groups in WHE.

5. Develop the new policies, concepts, tools and strategies and their implementation in High Threat Pathogens.

6. Plan, manage and monitor the activities of the team so that activities reflect the administrative and budgetary standards, guidelines, priorities and directions of WHE/IHM and the allocate, monitor the use of the unit’s resources so that adequate support is assured.

7. Develop work plans and performance indicators, monitor, identify gaps and coordinate the work of the team and its interaction with other teams so that the work is technically excellent, effectively and efficiently conducted, and completed to a high standard.

8. Lead and coordinate the work on developing guidelines for surveillance, field investigation, detection and response to the transmission of high threat pathogens in community and healthcare settings; Collect timely data on evolving risk as well as to guide appropriate response to prevent spread;

9. Build partnerships with the various counterparts and international partners to implement appropriate interventions, including strategic planning, tactical and project planning, facilitation, instruction, and information and documentation development.

10. Proactively flag to the supervisor of situations which might pose a threat to WHO or its reputation and propose solutions to address the problems.

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11. Represent the Unit at international meetings and conferences, when required.

12. Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: University degree in medicine with a master’s degree in public health
Desirable: Training in field epidemiology, surveillance and outbreak investigation

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least 10 years of combined national and international level experience in public health specially in the control and prevention of infectious diseases. Proven experience in managing finances, budgets and staff and clear proof of responsibility for management of work plan activities.
Desirable: Proven primary responsibility for managing cross-cutting initiatives involvingdifferent departments or organizational entities in a multinational context such as the UN, WHO or similar. Proven primary responsibility in developing strategies in prevention and control ofinfectious diseases.

SKILLS

1) Expert level knowledge of infectious diseases, particularly in region specific infectious hazards and threats, specific public health preparedness measures for its control.

2) Solid managerial skills including proven ability to move from design of a strategic concept, to its operational implementation, to its successful completion, and sound knowledge of planning, human resources, budgeting and financing aspects of management.

3) Proven understanding of the management of acute and urgent public health responses, including infectious disease outbreaks in humanitarian emergencies.

4) Demonstrated effectiveness in building sustained partnerships and working with others in international settings.

WHO COMPETENCIES

• Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Setting an example
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of Arabic or French is an asset.

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 92,731 (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 2743 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 thedegree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institutionaccredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link:
  http://www.whed.net/
•  Some professionalcertificates 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 ofsecuring the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide ageographical 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 disabilitystatus, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any otherpersonal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals ofunrepresented 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 reasonableaccommodation 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 andprofessional 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, abuseof authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report toWHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated historyof SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of finalcandidates.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointedto 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-lifebalance 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 appointmentwill 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 undertakinga 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 beshared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry orexit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations canbe 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.
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