Technical Officer (IPC and AMR)

Organizational Context:

Work environment: The incumbent will work as part of the WHO Country Office in Ukraine within the Division of Country Health Programmes. Functionally, the position will be part of health system section with first level supervisor as Service delivery Unit head with close relation with the WHE team in the country office to address particular matters related to emergencies.

Role of the individual: The incumbent, a national expert in IPC/AMR, carries out assigned duties in support of the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, Centre for Public Health, National Health Service and other partners, as part of a country team working on the above mentioned areas in the WHO Country Office in Ukraine.

Guidelines: The work will be anchored in and aligned with national and UN guidelines as well as WHO policy frameworks. Available frameworks and guidelines for work include the upcoming European Programme of Work (United Action for Better Health, the 14th General Programme of Work (GPW14), WHO guidelines on core components of IPC programmes (2016), Global strategy on infection prevention and control (2023), International Health Regulations (IHR), Roadmap on antimicrobial resistance for the WHO European Region 2023–2030, Global AMR Action Plan .Relevant indicators and targets for GPW14, WHO/Europe's Country Strategy; Biennial Collaborative Agreements with Countries, Global IPC monitoring and evaluation framework, global and regional AMR monitoring mechanisms ( e.g.Tracking Antimicrobial Resistance Country Self-Assessment Survey (TrACCS), Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS), Central Asian and European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (CAESAR)) ,national goals and priorities of Governments, UN and other relevant partners; WHO Staff Rules and Regulations, WHO Manual, General Programme of Work, Programme Budget, and other WHO Basic documents, Regional Committee resolutions and technical documents related to IPC, as well as relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions, the Sustainable Development Goals and relevant agreements to which WHO provides support. The work will be in line with national policies, financing and service delivery reforms.

Independence in decision making: The incumbent exercises judgement and flexibility in the application of relevant guidelines and selection of programmatic courses of action. For activities not covered by established guidelines or frameworks, and for ad hoc unforeseen situations, the incumbent uses initiative and common sense, drawing from experience. The incumbent may seek guidance for solutions to complicated technical matters from relevant staff in the WHO Country Office in Ukraine. The incumbent works within a country team with a degree of independence, receives directions from the supervisors on technical matters and seeks guidance/information from available sources. Policy matters must be bought to the attention of the supervisors. The work is reviewed upon completion for overall accuracy, timeliness and attainment of objectives.

Nature and purpose of contacts:

Within the organization:

1. First and second level supervisors for purposes of guidance and supervision and to decide on the orientation of the work; to brief and appraise on developments; to receive policy guidance; to solve problems arising and to collaborate and harmonize work.

2. Other Divisions and parts of the Organization, including Country Offices, Strategic Partnerships and other health programmes: for mutual information, integration of IPC and AMR’s work into relevant programme areas, for purposes of coordination and prioritization of activities and products, to undertake joint activities as relevant, to share information and expertise.

3. Technical counterparts in the Country, Regional Office and Headquarters Offices: for purposes of coordination of advocacy and partnership activities in relevant areas.

Outside the organization:

1. Officials and programme staff in Ministries of Health, other Ministries and Government Agencies, to provide technical and programmatic support

2. Civil Society (including national and international community based and non-governmental organizations) and bilateral agencies: for purposes of partnership, collaboration, and coordination.

3. Relevant regional and international organizations to ensure stakeholder engagement

4. WHO Collaborating Centres and other regional research and scientific institutions for purposes of partnership, collaboration and coordination.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

As part of health system team and in close collaboration and coordination with the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) in WHO/Europe, the incumbent will provide technical assistance in Infection, Prevention & Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) within the framework of the Country Cooperation Strategy.

Key duties:

1. Provide support to IPC and AMR strategies and technical guidance to ensure alignment with the WHO recommended standards for IPC and AMR, monitor and ensure accountability of the implementation of the WHO IPC programme activities;

2. Develop tools to ensure sustainable mechanisms monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of between national and international minimum requirements of IPC programmes for health system strengthening including integration with preparedness, readiness, response and recovery of public health emergencies;

3. Provide technical guidance to national stakeholders and healthcare facilities IPC and AMRprogrammes on local implementation of IPC, AMR surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions and strategies;

4. Provide technical guidance to the national IPC programme on reducing health care-associated infections, ensuring that IPC priorities and activities are managed effectively in compliance with WHO IPC guidelines;

5. Provide technical support to the national AMR programme, ensuring that activities are implemented in compliance with WHO AMR guidelines and frameworks;

6. Develop a WCO IPC training strategy based on previous trainings initiatives and approaches. t

7. Review national IPC policies, guidelines, and operational guides;

8. Provide support to AMR related strategy, development of surveillance system and ensure technical guidance to ensure alignment with the WHO recommended approaches;

9. Prepare the missions for WHO staff and external consultants addressing selected communicable diseases and health system strengthening, IPC and AMR, as well provide appropriate support during missions and follow-up;

10. Undertake jointly with MOH counterparts regular monitoring of the implementation of Country Cooperation Strategy and facilitate smooth information flow of Country Cooperation Strategy activities between MOH and other involved institutions through sharing of reports, arranging meetings, etc.;

11. Prepare regular reports and updates to the Country Office and Regional Office, as needed;

12. Facilitate partner and stakeholder coordination in the area of IPC and AMR policies and strategies;

13. Explore opportunities for fund raising for the area of health strategy development, monitoring and implementation;

14. Provide support to cross-Divisional and intercountry activities as requested;

15. Provide technical support in other areas of the work of Country Office, Health Programmes Division and WHE program as needed.

RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in nursing, medicine, microbiology, epidemiology, public health or related area of study

Desirable: Master's degree in any of the above-mentioned areas. Post-graduate training or certificate in IPC, Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Stewardship, AMR surveillance. )

Experience:

Essential:

• At least two years of work experience in infection prevention and control and antimicrobial resistance.
• Good knowledge of key AMR and IPC documents published by WHO and others, such as the WHO Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, WHO Europe AMR Roadmap on antimicrobial resistance for the WHO European Region 2023–2030, WHO, Global strategy on infection prevention and control, WHO Guidelines on core components of infection prevention and control programmes at the national and acute health care facility level, WHO Core competencies for infection prevention and control professionals, and related materials.

Desirable:

• Experience with outbreaks and health emergencies.

• Programme Management experience in public health. Relevant experience with(in) WHO, UN agency or international organization.

• Experience in capacity building; and tool development, including a track record in achieving results, analytical skills.

• Excellent inter-cultural sensitivity as well as writing, drafting skills of documents and reports and presenting, communication skills.

WHO Competencies:

1. ​Teamwork​

2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences​

3. Communication​

4. Producing Results​

5. Creating an empowering and motivating environment ​

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of IPC or AMR-related strategies in Ukraine.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the national health system.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of IPC or AMR-related strategies in Ukraine.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the national health system.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 38,776 (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.

• 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.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

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• 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.

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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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