Epidemiologist, Infectious Diseases Control (PIP)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Programmeis 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. Within EPR, the Emergency Preparedness Unit,specifically the Infectious Hazard preparedness team supports countries and coordinates international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies. In order to contribute to the reductionof communicable and non-communicable disease morbidity and mortality in the WHOAfrican region, the Infectious Hazard Preparedness team (IHP), within the Emergency Preparedness pillar (EMP) supports Member States in scaling up the implementation and monitoring of the integrated surveillance and response strategy and International Health Regulations, developing and maintaining the capacity to detect, confirm, and respond to epidemic and pandemic prone diseases as well as other public health emergencies, including influenza.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the technical guidance of the Technical Officer (Infectious Hazard Preparedness/Avian Influenza) and the overall supervision of the Emergency Preparedness Programme Manager and the Regional Emergencies Director, the incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties: Coordinate implementation of the activities under Outputs 1, 2 and 6 of the PIP High Level Implementation Plan II (HLIP II) of regional and country PIP PC workplans;Providetechnical guidance and support to countries on respiratory disease surveillance, such as influenza, SARS CoV-2, RSV, including training activities, where appropriate:Support the updating of country Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan and provide guidanceto countries in updating and monitoring their pandemic influenza preparednessand response plan;Strengthen the regional capacity for detection of respiratory disease outbreaks, includingthose due to a novel virus using epidemiological surveillance methodologies;Coordinate the development of best practices on influenza epidemiological surveillance andresponse in the African Region and ensure all relevant materials pertaining toinfluenza preparedness and response (reports, plans, SOPs and other informationproducts) are available for Member States:Any other dutiesthat may be assigned by the supervisor(s)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First university degree in medicine or related field such as epidemiology or infectious diseases.
Desirable: Master degreein public health or training/experiencein infectious disease control, epidemiology or emergency/disaster Management.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of experience in surveillance, preparedness and response of infectious diseases and the implementation of public health projects, building capacities at international level. Experience in the management of complex projects with partners.
Desirable: Experience working in WHO or the UN system. Experience working in in Low and Middle Income settings (LMI).

Skills

Ability to work with national Ministries of health on planning, implementing and monitoring of surveillance programmes;Good knowledge and technical expertise in Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response and with an emphasis on influenza and other respiratory pathogens;Excellent communication and facilitation skills. Excellent organizational and analytical skills, complemented by good interpersonal and presentation skills.Effective writing skills and ability to draft, evaluateand edit technical reports and publications.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

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

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 2901 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 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.

• In case the website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates