NPO (AMR & One Health)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Recognizing AMR as a serious public health threat and one of the priorities in SEA Regional Director's flagships programme area, WHO has supported the country to prevent and control antimicrobial resistance in consonance with global, regional, and country strategic frameworks. Combating antimicrobial resistance at national level will contribute to implementing Myanmar's Sustainable Development Plan 2018-2030 and Global Sustainable Development Goals agenda. Therefore, WHO has provided technical assistance to help countries develop the National Action Plan for AMR in One Health approach to prevention and control antimicrobial resistance. WHO has been supporting MoH in implementation of this National Action Plan for antimicrobial resistance through WHO workplans. In addition, the overall objectives of the programme include: 1) to strengthen national capacity to prevent and combat antimicrobial resistance; 2) to support Myanmar in implementation of National Action Plan for AMR in One Health approach; 3) to assist strengthening of surveillance, monitoring and evaluation of AMR combating activities; and 4) to coordinate with other concerned health programmers for quality programme implementation. In recent years, the One Health approach to managing endemic and emerging/re-emerging diseases has been highlighted and encouraged by international human and animal health agencies, based upon recognition of the need for human and animal (including wildlife)experts to work collaboratively to better prevent and control these One Health diseases including AMR. The International Health Regulation (IHR 2005) was revised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide a new framework for the coordination of events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), and for improving the capacity of countries to assess and manage public health risks. Myanmar developed National One Health Strategic framework in October 2019 with concerned Ministries. National One Health priority diseases include:1) Rabies, 2) Avian influenza, 3) Tuberculosis, 4) Food-borne diseases, 5) Anthrax and 6) Japanese encephalitis. The objectives to achieve the One Health programme includes:1) active participation in disease control and prevention through joint activities; 2) developing joint coordination mechanisms and governance; 3) Disease data and information-sharing; 4) Capacity-building; 5) Evidence-based research and knowledge management; 6) Institutional and legal arrangement harmonized and developed; 7) Monitoring and evaluation; 8) Advocacy and program cost-benefit analysis to enable political commitment; risk communication; and media engagement; 9) Partnership and networking to build trust among relevant stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Team Leader (WHE) and overall guidance of WHO Representative to Myanmar, the incumbent will perform following duties:

1. Provide technical assistance in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as contained in WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2019-2023, MoHS-WHO collaborative programmes, Myanmar National Health Plan 2017-21, Myanmar's Sustainable Development Plan 2018-2030, and WHO SEARO Regional Director's regional flagships.

2. Support National AMR Coordinating Centre and Technical Working Group (AMR Awareness) to promote AMR awareness among health care professionals and public, including awareness raising of the SDG's preamble, which explicitly refers to tackling the challenges of AMR.

3. Assist to establish Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System and country participation in Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS).

4. Assist in strengthening National Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Programme and implementation of National IPC guidelines in healthcare settings.

5. Assist to establish National Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme to improve antimicrobial use in human and animals.

6. Coordinate with the key government departments, national and international partners, UN agencies, and donors for implementation of AMR containment programme from human health sector, animal health sector and environmental health sector.

7. Support in linking country's national action plan on AMR to existing action plans, strategies or targets related to HIV, tuberculosis, malaria or neglected tropical diseases.

8. Work closely with National AMR Steering Committee, National Coordinating Centre for AMR, and technical working groups in implementation and monitoring & evaluation of National Action Plan for containment of AMR in Myanmar.

9. Provide technical assistance for implementation of national One Health strategic framework for control of national One Health priority diseases in Myanmar.

10. Support National Steering Committee on One Health, One Health secretariat and technical working groups in implementation and monitoring & evaluation of National One Health Strategic framework.

11. Promote One Health approach in planning, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation of AMR & national One Health priority diseases, including the indicators framework of the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan 2018-2030.

12. Support the preparation of progress reports required for timely submission to the multi donors and other situational reports requested by WHO SEAR or HQ.

13. Review and track the project activity and prepare technical and financial reports.

14. Liaise with the concerned WHO staff at WHO Regional Office and donors for the timely acquisition of donor funds and clearance on technical and financial donor reports.

15. Perform other relevant tasks that may be assigned by first level supervisor and/or WHO representative.

16. Coordinate with the key government departments, national and international partners, UN agencies, and donors for implementation of AMR containment programme from human health sector, animal health sector and environmental health sector.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in Medicine or equivalent degree in public health and/or epidemiology.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in public health, tropical medicine, epidemiology or related field. Certificate in training on AMR and/or project management, an asset.

Experience

Essential: Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience in public health especially communicable disease surveillance, prevention and control.
Desirable: Experience working in AMR/AMU surveillance or supporting drug resistance testing in public and private laboratories.

Skills

• Expertise in public health and project management. Good understanding in the context of South East Asia with particular emphasis on Myanmar on:
  • antimicrobial/drug resistance programme,
  • One Health approach and priority diseases as well as cross cutting issues with animal and environmental health sectors.
• Very good communication and coordination skills and excellent in use of computer and information technology.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Myanmar.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 31,332 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

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• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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