Public Health support Officer (disease control)

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, behavioural 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-centred quality health services across the continuum of care is matched by enriching the evidence base for policy design and interventions using social, cultural and behavioural approaches, to drive implementation of innovation at national, regional and local levels”.The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions:(i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi)monitoring and assessing health trends.

The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020-2025 -“United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens' expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable, and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will support the management of the communicable and noncommunicable diseases programme in the country, while maintaining a multi-sectoral overview, and ensure the availability of technical expertise to advise the government on integrated programmes and initiatives to strengthen their capacity building in investigation, surveillance and control.

The incumbent will support the promotion and strengthening of programme activities within an assigned area of responsibility, consult with national counterparts on programme needs, and perform related managerial tasks as required. The position contributes to the WHO's country cooperation strategy in communicable & non-communicable diseases.

Key duties:

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:

Facilitate the implementation of projects for the control of the respective diseases, including the procurement of safe, efficacious, and affordable medicines and technologies.

Technically support:

• the documenting and dissemination of best practices and partners' experiences
• the analysis and evaluation of a diverse range of data and information related to communicable and noncommunicable diseases and outbreaks
• the identification of disease sources and provision of recommendations and reports on the appropriate response to identified risks, as well as the implementation of preventative and control measures
• the monitoring of the national burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases or factors, especially through health information systems and health research activities
• the coordination of the development or enhancement of information systems on communicable and noncommunicable diseases and the monitoring of progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Support the efficient and effective management, as well as coordination of expertise, to provide technical advice on the development of sustainable, multi-sectoral, and integrated national strategies, policies, interventions, and plans for improvements in health systems and capacity building in the area of communicable and noncommunicable diseases (C-NCD) control.

Support the development of action plans for the inclusion of disease prevention and control interventions across the life course and continuum of care.

Coordinate the adoption of norms, standards, guidelines and tools to support the implementation of disease control projects.

Support the management of operational aspects of related operational research, surveillance, epidemiology, and health surveys.

Facilitate the implementation of projects for the control of the respective diseases, including the procurement of safe, efficacious, and affordable medicines and technologies.

Technically support

• the documenting and dissemination of best practices and partners' experiences.
• the analysis and evaluation of a diverse range of data and information related to communicable and noncommunicable diseases and outbreaks; the identification of disease sources and provision of recommendations and reports on the appropriate response to identified risks, and the implementation of preventative and control measures.
• the monitoring of the national burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases or factors, especially through health information systems and health research activities. Coordinate the enhancement of existing information systems on communicable and noncommunicable diseases and the monitoring of progress towards universal health coverage (UHC).

Leverage knowledge of local systems and cultural norms to serve as technical communication focal point with the public on communicable diseases in the country and propose new community outreach activities concerning the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

Support advocacy and building and strengthening of partnerships and networks to enhance multisectoral collaboration and mobilize resources to address integrated, communicable and noncommunicable disease prevention and control.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree (bachelor's) in a relevant field (such as public health, epidemiology, statistics or another medical field).
Desirable: Training or specialization in communicable diseases or noncommunicable diseases

Experience

Essential: A minimum of two years of work experience relevant to the position (in communicable or noncommunicable disease control programmes) at the national level.
Desirable: Professional experience providing technical or programme services to national counterparts, Ministries of Health, and other partners on communicable disease related issues.

Relevant work experience, with WHO and/or UN agencies, health cluster partners, non-governmental or humanitarian organizations.

Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained in an international context.

Skills

• Transmissions, methods of diagnosis, development, and treatment of communicable diseases and other noncommunicable diseases.
• Prevention and control of communicable and/or noncommunicable diseases.
• District hospital care, universal health coverage, in-service and pre-service training, essential noncommunicable disease drugs, primary health care delivery systems.
• Best practices of international organizations in the related disease control areas.
• Knowledge to support the planning, coordination, and implementation of health programme interventions.
• Health and safety regulations.
• Analytical and organizational skills.
• Skills for engaging in collaborative multi-sectoral partnerships and with stakeholders and partners.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems,
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday.
• 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
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

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

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at PLN 227,519 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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