Purpose of the Post:

In the context of the WHO Universal Health Coverage. The incumbent will manage the communicable and noncommunicable diseases programme in the Republic of Mauritius, while maintaining a multisectoral overview, and will ensure the availability of technical expertise to advise the government on integrated programmes and initiatives to strengthen their capacity building in investigation, surveillance, and control.  The incumbent will promote and strengthen programme activities within an assigned area of responsibility, consult with national counterparts on programme needs, and perform related managerial

tasks as required. The position contributes to the WHO’s country cooperation strategy in communicable

and noncommunicable diseases.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity:

The mission of WHO’s Control of Diseases Programmes aims to help countries with the control of their main burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and to provide  international norms, standard, guidance and best practices  to prevent and control these communicable and non-communicable diseases and to ensure all health system’s building blocks are adequate for such tasks.

Organizational Context:

Under the leadership and supervision of the Head of WHO Country Office and the Regional  Director For Diseases Control in the WHO regional office for the African Region, and in close collaboration with the whole WCO Mauritius team and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the incumbent provides the key technical expertise and acts as an advisor for the control of communicable (HIV, hepatitis, STIs, dengue, influenza) and non communicable (Diabetis, cardio-vascular, broncho pulmonar, cancer, mental health) diseases  as well related policies, strategies and activities, enabling the development, implementation, and monitoring of national strategies that maximize the individual and collective impact of WHO in support of the country control of diseases The incumbent’s technical support and guidance aligns with WHO international guidelines and norms,  WHO Resolution and recommendations from HQ and the regional office for the prevention, detection, treatment, follow-up and recovery and rehabilitation from diseases. The incumbent is however expected to exercise full judgment in adapting or modifying relevant WHO guidelines and facilitate their adaptation or development to meet particular national context, requirements or evolving circumstances in close coordination with the respective Regional Office and HQ.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by

the needs of the office.

1. Work under the direct supervision of the respective Head of the WHO country office. •

2. Facilitate the efficient and effective management, as well as coordination of expertise, to provide

technical advice on the development of sustainable, multi-sector, and integrated national

strategies, policies, interventions, and plans for improvements in health systems and capacity

building in the area of communicable and noncommunicable (NCD) diseases control. •

3. Recommend action plans for the inclusion of disease prevention and control interventions across the

life course and continuum of care. •

4. Coordinate the adoption of norms, standards, guidelines and tools to support the implementation of

disease control projects. •

5. Manage the operational aspects of related operational research, surveillance, epidemiology, and

health surveys. •

6. Facilitate the implementation of projects for the control of the respective diseases, including the

procurement of safe, efficacious and affordable medicines, vaccines, tests and technologies. •

7. Guide the documenting and dissemination of best practices and partners’ experiences. On

disease control in Mauritius•

8. Analyse and evaluate a diverse range of data and information related to communicable and

noncommunicable diseases; identify disease sources and provide recommendations

and reports on the appropriate response to identified risks, and the implementation of preventative

and control measures.

9. Monitor the national burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases or factors, especially

through health information systems and health research activities. Coordinate the development or

enhancement of existing information systems on communicable and noncommunicable diseases and

the monitoring of progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

10. Leverage knowledge of local systems and cultural norms to: serve as technical communication focal

point with the public on communicable and non-communicable diseases in Mauritius; and establish

new community outreach activities concerning the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment

of communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

11. Advocate, build and strengthen partnerships and networks to enhance multi-sector collaboration

to address integrated, communicable and noncommunicable disease prevention and control. and

contribute to resource mobilization for the work programme.

11. Perform any other related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Competencies:

1.            Producing results

2.            Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

3.            Ensuring the efficient use of resources

4.           Teamwork and respecting individual and cultural differences

5.            Communicating in a credible and effective manner

Functional Skills and Knowledge:

1.Thorough knowledge of country situation on communicable and non-communicable diseases, and technical and operational knowledge on the best practices and on WHO policies, strategies, norms and guidelines for the prevention and control of a range of communicable and non-communicable diseases

2.Proven ability to coordinate and manage projects, build partnerships with multi sector partners and disciplines in the context of the control of diseases.

3.Sound tactical thinking with the ability to formulate clear comprehensive strategies and plans and to present facts and data in a concise and effective manner and provide advice and guidance to multiple partners and stakeholders.

4.Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure.

5.Solid operational skills and knowledge.

Education (Qualifications):

Essential: University degree in a public health field or a medical degree. Specialized training or

demonstrated experience in.

Desirable: Master or Post-graduate degree in public health, public health-related discipline or in control of diseases, specialized training in epidemiology from an accredited institution.

Experience:

Essential: At least five (5) years of professional experience in planning, developing and implementing communicable and non-communicable disease prevention and control programs focusing on investigation, surveillance, control as well as developing strategies and action plans for capacity building and diseases prevention programmes.

Desirable: Demonstrated professional experience providing technical services to national counterparts, ministries of health and other ministries and partners on diseases control related issues. Relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, implementing partners; experience working in relevant non-­ governmental or humanitarian organizations on disease prevention and control. Experience in multisectoral coordination.

Languages:

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English and French.

Other Skills:

Proficiency in computers and office software packages, including those related to epidemiological and statistical management, handling of web-based management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System