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 WHE Response division (WRE) is responsible for rapidly detecting and responding to health emergencies while leveraging relevant national and international partnerships, ensuring that emergency-affected populations in acute and protracted emergencies have access to essential health services and that systems are maintained and strengthened in fragile, conflict and vulnerable settings while implementing at scale, proven prevention strategies for priority pandemic/epidemic-prone diseases.The Alert and Response Coordination Department (ARC) is responsible to provide end-to-end capacity for the detection, management, coordination and monitoring of acute public health emergencies, as well as the generation and dissemination of public health information around such events. It identifies potential acute events through early warning, provides risk assessment of such events, and delivers on the management, coordination and ongoing monitoring of acute events that require activation of an incident management structure at HQ.These include epidemics and acute humanitarian emergencies.
Under the guidance of the Director and Deputy Director and in close collaboration with the Unit Head, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
- Participate in the organization-wide event management system of WHO's alert and response operations to epidemics,pandemics, and other acute public health events and health emergencies, including leading the epidemiology/health information pillar as appropriate;
- Assist in developing appropriate tools and indictors for monitoring implementation of programmes on surveillance and response for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases;
- Collect and disseminate health information related to the acute phase of public health emergencies, within the framework of the Public Health Information Services (PHIS) Standards.
- Contribute to the development of an early warning and response system for epidemic and pandemic-prone diseases;
- Collect and verify information on reported outbreaks or rumors from emerging and re- emerging infectious diseases;
- Conduct retrospective analysis of reported events: determine trends, distribution patterns, and efficiency of the verification mechanism;
- Prepare and disseminate disease outbreak news, updates and assessments to key decision makers in the organizational hierarchy;
- Organize technical missions for field investigation of outbreaks as required;
- Participate in the development of rapid field assessment, risk assessment and investigation protocols for specific priority diseases, as required;
- Participate in the elaboration of guidelines for epidemic control;
- Disseminate technical documents, guidelines and protocols on prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases to the national health authorities;
- Build and maintain effective partnerships with relevant bodies, agencies and sectors in order to facilitate implementation of public health policies and programmes for emerging and re- emerging infectious diseases;
- Perform all other related duties as assigned.
Essential: A first level university degree in epidemiology, medicine and/or public health; specialization in epidemiology.
Desirable: An advanced university degree in one of the above mentioned areas.
Essential: At least 5 years of experience working in epidemiology, conducting monitoring and evaluation of diseases and public health issues.
Desirable: Relevant international experience in the areas of outbreak investigation and response for emerging and re-emerging diseases.
Demonstrated knowledge, competency and professional skills on the public health aspects of infectious disease control, and the use of monitoring and evaluation of descriptive epidemiology and principles of public health in communicable disease surveillance and response. Ability to write reports on outbreaks and interpret epidemiological surveillance data. Demonstrable skills in the use of epidemiological and statistical software.
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of WHO Language.
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 62,692 (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 4258 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.
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. Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply. For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int. WHO is committed to workforce diversity. 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. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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. Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged. *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
This vacancy is archived.