Job Details
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 team 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 cholera, dengue, influenza, avian influenza, Ebola and other viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF), Zika, coronaviruses like the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), meningitis and plague
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIESWithin the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:1. Provide technical leadership and authoritative expert advice related to the technical work on MERS-CoV, developing a regional evidence based strategy, guidance and guidelines.2. Establish partnerships and expert networks to facilitate knowledge sharing, in particular on the disease transmission and public health impact, identify gaps in knowledge and develop plans and study protocols to address knowledge gaps. Implement plan of activities and monitor progress through expert networks on prevention and control.3. Develop guidance for surveillance, field investigation, detection and response to the transmission of MERS-CoV in community and healthcare settings; Collect timely data on evolving risk as well as to guide appropriate response to prevent spread; 4. Monitor the risk and threat of MERS-CoV, ensure quality of the information received from the field and inform timely senior management so that the Organization can get prepared for any change in the situation.5. Collaborate with the transfer of knowledge team to develop user-friendly materials for risk communication and training on surveillance and response. Establish strong collaborations with other teams/departments at WHO and other partner agencies to cover the various aspects of the public health response to outbreaks.6. Support and advise WHO Country Offices on the development and implementation of strategic plans to establish and strengthen national response to outbreaks of MERS-CoV.7. Act as the technical lead in the incident management structure and establish strong collaborations with other teams/departments at WHO and other partner agencies to cover the various aspects of the public health response to outbreaks of MERS-CoV.8. Welcome opportunities to support multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting approaches to work and is required to facilitate participation in such approaches.9. Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.
Job Requirements
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education Essential:
- University degree in medicine, with masters degree in infectious diseases epidemiology
Desirable:
- Post graduate training in field epidemiology, surveillance and outbreak investigation
Experience Essential:
- At least 7 years of combined national and international level experience in public health especially 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 involving different departments or organizational entities in a multinational context such as the UN, WHO or similar.
Skills
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology and risk assessment, in particular epidemic and pandemic diseases.
- Proven understanding of the management of acute and urgent public health responses, including infectious disease outbreaks.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in building sustained partnerships and working with others in international settings.
- Capacity to work on cross-sectoral projects.
Competencies
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
- Ensuring the effective use of resources
- Producing results
- Creating an empowering and motivating environmentUse of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.
REMUNERATIONWHO 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 71,332 (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 1557 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 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.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
- For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
