Communicable Diseases Specialist

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Accelerate efforts to control, eliminate, and eradicate priority communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, malaria and vector-borne diseases. To expand the implementation of communicable disease control strategy and strengthen disease control by applying effective strategies and policies, including those related to co-infection and multi-drug resistance; increasing the involvement of communities, health-care providers, nongovernmental organizations and corporate partners, and to strengthen surveillance, monitoring and evaluation.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide technical support to the office in the area of Communicable Diseases ensuring that the activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
2. Substantively contribute to the development of national strategies and policies through policy advice and guidance on plans of action for improvements in existing health systems for prevention and care of Communicable Diseases.
3. Develop and implement action plans for interventions in high-risks groups and environments and recommend measures for special attention.
4. Research, compile and evaluate a variety of data and information related to communicable disease outbreak; identify disease sources and provide recommendations concerning appropriate response to identified risks, and implementation of preventative measures and prepare reports.
5. Develop improvements and innovate existing information systems on Communicable Diseases and the monitoring of progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) facilitating integration with the national health information systems.

1. Serve as a technical resource to the public concerning communicable diseases in the country; respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related, practices, procedures, issues, and measures.

1. Develop, implement and conduct a variety of community outreach activities concerning the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of communicable diseases; prepare and deliver presentations, compile, develop and distribute related informational materials.
2. Liaise with national counterparts, donors, development partners (UN and bilateral), and WHOtechnical departments to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related toCommunicable Diseases and resolve issues or concerns.
3. Ensure quality assurance and relevance of contractual engagements with partners andinstitutions and make recommendations regarding WHO’s support.
4. Participate as a resource person in training/orientation programmes in the related areas forcapacity building.
5. When delegated represent WHO at various meetings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

Master’s degree in medicine or public health specialized in infectious diseases or infection prevention or microbiology and emerging infectious disease or similar area.

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/ .

Experience

Essential:

At least seven years of relevant experience with proven international exposure in communicable

diseases focusing on the areas of investigation, surveillance, and control, as well as developing

strategies and action plans for implementing disease prevention programmes.

Proven experience of providing technical advice and services to national counterparts, and other partners on communicable disease related issues

Desirable

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

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

1. In-depth knowledge of country situation with regard to Communicable Diseases with good understanding of relevant country’s needs, priorities and policies, along with WHO’s policies, practices, guidelines and procedures in the related areas and ability to apply them in the country office setting.
2. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations.
3. Ability to review and revise policies and objectives of assigned program and activities.
4. Excellent knowledge of Health and safety regulations.
5. Public speaking techniques.
6. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
7. Ability to lead and manage a team efficiently

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:
who-enhanced-competence.pdf

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.

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 77,326 (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 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 comm

• itted 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.

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