Organization: WHO - World Health Organization

Location: Geneva (Switzerland)

Grade: P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position - Senior level

Occupational Groups:

Medical Practitioners

Public Health and Health Service

Closing Date: 2021-04-28

SAVE JOB

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Global Infectious Hazards Preparedness (GHP) advances global efforts to prevent and control existing and emerging infectious diseases by increasing access to evidence-based interventions; fostering impactful innovation; and leveraging technical, operational and strategic partnerships. In addition, GIH develops global mechanisms to facilitate coordination and collaboration between countries and multi-sectoral partners for catastrophic events of natural, accidental or deliberate origin. The department of Global Infectious Hazards Preparednessis committed to delivering GPW13 Outcome 2.2 Epidemics and pandemics prevented, through: Delivering risk assessment, technical guidance, interventions and control strategies for country impact; Promoting innovation and adoption of new technologiesand aligning and coordinating international action through trusted partnership; Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to life-saving interventions and supplies. The Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses (EZD) team develops strategies, guidance, global 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 team deals with known emerging and re-emerging high threat pathogens such as zoonotic diseases (for example Nipah virus and Hendra virus); arboviruses (for example zika and chikungunya); respiratory pathogens (for example MERS and plague); and bio-risks (for example smallpox).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:

1. Serve as the lead of WHO's Zika Task Force and coordinate the work of the secretariat for all aspects of control of Zika virus disease, including engagement with internal and external partners to ensure alignment and harmonization of clearly planned activities.

2. Provide technical leadership and authoritative expert advice on WHO's overall technical work on Zika developing a global, evidence-based, comprehensive strategic and operational framework, guidance and establishment of a prioritized and programmatically-relevant research agenda.

3. Lead the technical aspects of resource mobilization activities, coordination of inputs from various WHO departments in line with the Zika global strategic framework and advocate with stakeholders and partners.

4. Establish coordination mechanisms, partnerships and networks to facilitate knowledge-generation and -sharing on all aspects of the virus, the disease, control measures to mitigate the public health impact through identification and prioritization of gaps in knowledge. Develop, implement and monitor progress on the plan of activities through relevant WHO departments.

5. Collaborativtely monitor the risk of Zika and creation of new knowledge, ensure quality of information received from all related fields (maternal and child health, reproductive health, mental health, vector control, immunizations etc) and inform timely senior management to ensure that the Organization is proactively prepared for any the situation.

6. Take a lead role in the collaboration with the transfer of knowledge to the team to develop user-friendly materials for risk communication and training. 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.

7. Provide high-level technical support and advise to WHO Regional and Country Offices on the development and implementation of strategic plans to establish and strengthen regional and national control, prevention and response measure for outbreaks of Zika and its consequences.

8. 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 Zika.

9. Welcome opportunities to support multi-disciplinary, cross-cutting approaches to work and facilitate participation in such approaches.

10. Perform other related duties including replacing and backstopping as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

Advanced level university degree in medicine, with emphasis on infectious diseases or maternal and child health or epidemiology.

Desirable:

Post graduate training in epidemiology, microbiology or infectious diseases.

Experience

Essential:

At least 10 years of experience combined working on infectious diseases epidemiology and public health programs for the control and prevention of infectious diseases including on epidemic diseases, some of which should be at a regional or international level.

Proven experience in developing study and research protocols for public health projects related to infectious diseases.

Desirable:

Experience in field research in developing countries.

Experience in epidemic diseases and/or in pandemic diseases.

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.

Proven primary responsibility in developing strategies in prevention and control of infectious diseases or public health programs requiring multidisciplinary approaches.

Skills

- Theoretical and practical knowledge of global 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.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Moving forward in a changing environment

Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 89,837 (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 6161 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.

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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

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.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.

Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.