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 emergencies 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 population.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical and operational needs of the Programme. The incumbent will be required to perform all or part of the following duties:

1.     Carry out at Country level all aspects of early detection of acute public health events using the WHO Epidemic Intelligence Open Sources platform (EIOS), including but not limited to event-based surveillance; verification and risk assessment, monitoring; and information-sharing on events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern.

2.     Support HIM capacity to analyze and interpret epidemiological and surveillance data.

3.      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.

4.     Carry out all aspects of early detection of acute public health events, including but not limited to event-based surveillance; verification and risk assessment; and information-sharing on events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern.

5.     Contribute to the improvement of the new WHO’s Event Management System (EMS2) developed by WHO HQ; while updating the events in the Event Management System (EMS). Conduct emergency epidemiological field risk-assessment missions as required.

6.     Collaborate and Coordinate activities with the staff at all levels in the Public Health Intelligence Team and the Health Emergency Information and Risk Assessment Department, to foster (a) 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 in line with the operational requirements of IHR; and (b) the definition of institutional strategies and analysis linked to the formation of briefing documents and materials; situation analyses; and convening multi-disciplinary risk assessment, as appropriate.

7.     Provide technical guidance to further the development of event Information System (EIS) and other public health intelligence platforms.

8.     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.

9.     Enhance and encourage world-wide information sharing as a key component of promoting and nurturing a culture of multidisciplinary and cross-cutting approaches within WHO and with key partners.

10.  Develop and provide capacity building and training to colleagues within WHO and partners, including Ministries of Health, with focus on enhancing epidemiology and information management core competencies, and stimulate collaboration with officials at the regional and national levels, to ensure a coordinated response using standardized, innovative information systems and tools.

11.  Lead the analysis and the interpretation of data on signals and events collected from different sources.

12.  Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Doctor of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or MBBS and Post-graduate degree in Epidemiology or MPH which majors in Epidemiology.
Desirable: Specialization in planning and/or information management systems. Specific training in humanitarian response or emergency information management.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years’ experience in outbreak-prone infectious disease analysis and response including some years of demonstrated international exposure and considerable experience in the management of outbreak-prone infectious diseases obtained in developing countries
Desirable: Experience with WHO and/or the UN system in the areas of outbreak response and data analysis.

Experience of working with a UN agency, Experience in risk assessment or risk analysis experience with scientific working

Skills

In-depth knowledge in zoonoses, international public health and event-based surveillance. Proven organizational and analytical skills, together with excellent interpersonal skills 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
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Ensuring the effective use of resources.

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 92,731 (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 2736 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.

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