Objectives of the Programme:

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is 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.

The Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) Unit is responsible for identifying new public health events, assessing risks to public health, conducting epidemiological surveillance and field investigations, monitoring public health interventions, and communicating public health information to technical partners and stakeholders. HIM unit also support countries to strengthen surveillance systems and capacities for epidemiological investigation and risk assessment.

Description of Duties

Under the direct supervision of Programme Area Manager, Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment (HIM) and overall guidance of Regional Emergency Director, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:

• Coordinate and carry out public health intelligence activities through event-based surveillance, verification, risk assessment and monitoring of events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern. 
• Support HIM capacity to analyze and interpret epidemiological and surveillance data. Facilitate the analysis and the interpretation of data on signals and events collected from different sources; 
• Continue to strengthen the elaboration and implementation of WHO-wide Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and tools for detecting, verifying, assessing and monitoring events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern; 
• Manage information on outbreaks and public health emergencies, and coordinate the efforts to enter information into WHO’s global event management site (EMS); 
• Coordinate development of information products related to HIM team, such as regular epidemiological bulletin, presentation slides, dashboard and epidemiological inputs into the regular situation report. 
• Conduct emergency epidemiological field risk-assessment missions as required. 
• Collaborate and coordinate activities with staff at all levels organization to strengthen the following areas: 

[a] developing and updating SOPs and strategic policies for event-based surveillance and risk assessment of public health threats;

[b] providing technical guidance to further the development of WHO Event Management system (EMS) and Event Information Site (EIS) and other event-based surveillance and information systems;

[c] encouraging or promoting the implementation of new approaches and innovative methods to systematically detect and assess events of potential significance to international public health, with emphasis on building partnerships networks;

[d] elaborating state-of-the-art processes to critically monitor and evaluate performance and results of epidemic intelligence activities;

[e] enhancing and encouraging world-wide information sharing as a key component of promoting and nurturing a culture of multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches within WHO and with ley partners

[g] the definition of institutional strategies and analysis linked to the formulation of briefing documents and materials; situation analyses; and convening multi-disciplinary risk assessment, as appropriate.

• Encourage or promote the implementation of new approaches and innovative methods to systematically detect and assess events of potential significance to international public health, with emphasis on building partnerships networks; 
• Enhance and encourage world-wide and regional information sharing as a key component of promoting and nurturing a culture of multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches within WHO and with key partners; 
• Develop and provide capacity building and training to colleagues within WHO and key partners, including Ministries of Health with focus on strengthening detection, data analysis, data interpretation and risk assessment capacity. 
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required. 

Required Qualifications

Education 

Essential:  Advanced University degree (Masters level or above) in public health or epidemiology. 

Desirable:

• University degree in medicine (or MBBS), medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, or related health discipline

Experience

Essential:

1.       At least seven years of experience in epidemiology and public health surveillance related to infectious diseases of epidemic and pandemic potential, with at least three year experiences in in low- or middle-income country/countries;

2.      Demonstrated experiences and ability to lead event-based surveillance and risk assessment of acute public health events in resource-limited settings (not just through a vertical programme(s) focusing on a specific disease);

Desirable:

1.      Experiences working with WHO and/or the UN system in the relevant areas (i.e. surveillance, preparedness or response for outbreak-prone infectious diseases)

2.   Demonstrated experiences developing and regularly producing information products, such as epidemiological bulletin, situation reports, or dashboard; and

3.    Experiences in designing and implementing large database, and managing complex flows of information at country or regional level.

4.  International exposure, as defined as work experience in a multicultural environment; proven relevant experience of working with partners across different geographical/cultural settings; and/or proven relevant experience of working on a project in different geographical/cultural settings 

Skills

• Demonstrated experiences and technical knowledge in public health surveillance on emerging disease and outbreak-prone diseases, epidemiological investigation and risk assessment 
• Completion of Field Epidemiology Training Programmes (FETP) or equivalent in-service training or public health fellowship programme (on field epidemiology or informatics). 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Sound knowledge and skills in database management and statistical analysis, secondary data review, survey designing and implementation, and public health information management. 
• Proven ability to multi-task across various planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding environment 
• Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response with particular attention to application of an all-hazard approach in the context of the IHR(2005) and the use of event-based and indicator-based surveillance, as well as descriptive epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and response. 
• Capacity to promote and implement collaboration and exchange with partners, towards the implementation of best practices. Proven ability to write technical documents in a clear and concise manner. 

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork 
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences 
• Communication 
• Producing Results 
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: 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, and currently amounts to USD 2507 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. 
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